How to protect your radiator | Project vintage race Mustang | Ford Mustang Fastback | Project Car Updates

Before fitting the grille–it came uninstalled when we got our Mustang–we fit some heavy-duty mesh screen behind it in order to protect the radiator from debris.

We simply cut a piece to fit and pulled it taut before bolting it to the radiator support.

Since we’re not installing the heavy, factory hood latch–hood pins should suffice–we needed to fabricate a bracket for the center of the grille.

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Comments

deaconblue New Reader
8/16/22 1:31 p.m.

And you can paint it Black for a more stealth look.

crankwalk (Forum Supporter) SuperDork
8/16/22 1:49 p.m.

deaconblue said:
And you can paint it Black for a more stealth look.

x2.

And black hardware.

No Time SuperDork
8/16/22 2:12 p.m.

Looks like it's pretty close to the radiator, so thats helpful for air flow. There's a thread from a couple years ago that talks about some of the technical considerations:

Mesh radiator protection

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
8/16/22 2:23 p.m.

In reply to deaconblue :

It's silver #becauseracecar.

300zxfreak Reader
8/17/22 9:02 p.m.

Uh, that would "taut", not "taught". I don't really think the mesh could learn anything.

No Time SuperDork
8/17/22 9:07 p.m.

300zxfreak said:
Uh, that would "taut", not "taught". I don't really think the mesh could learn anything.

I guarantee if it gets hit hard enough by something heavy, you will be able to see it remembers the impact.

edizzle89 SuperDork
8/18/22 8:46 a.m.

I've been considering something like this since my crown vic kart has no grill, but the (non-functioning) AC condenser currently has taken the job of protecting the radiator

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
8/18/22 8:47 a.m.

In reply to 300zxfreak :

My bad on that. All fixed.

RustBeltSherpa Reader
8/18/22 11:12 a.m.

300zxfreak said:
Uh, that would "taut", not "taught". I don't really think the mesh could learn anything.

Also known as "hardware cloth". What gauge is that - looks like something in the 20's.

spedracer New Reader
8/18/22 1:53 p.m.

I just riveted stainless mesh on the air dam of my Miata, haven't gotten a chance to test if it messes up temps. Next event is in a few weeks in the desert, should be a good test. I figure I can always cut it back out before the race if needed. Had to install a new rad after the last event as here in the SW doing w2w its next to impossible to not get showered with rocks at least once during even a 20 minute race.