[GMCnet] Grille to Radiator Duct [message #175968] |
Sat, 07 July 2012 22:31 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726 Registered: March 2004 Location: Americus, GA
Karma:
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Senior Member |
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Today I finally completed the project I've worked on for the past 3 days:
The planned-for-years duct between the grille and the radiator of the GMC.
When I first saw a GMC I was surprised by the absence of any baffles to
route grille-admitted air through the radiator, and to prevent back-flow of
engine compartment air through the radiator. That was especially
surprising to me because of the emphasis Chevrolet places on the top in
their P-30 Chassis Owners' Manual.
Several years ago I installed Frank Jenkins' heavy rubberized fabric side
panels, similar to those on '77 & '78 GMC's, but I've only now gotten
around to completing the work I thought the factory should have done. The
propensity of the Cad500 engine to run at higher temperature than the Olds
finally convinced me to get busy.
I wanted to make the new duct from 10g diamond plate aluminum, like the
enclosure for my new HVAC. But the price of that material has increased
dramatically ove the past few months -- to something like $175 per 4'x8'
sheet. My metal working shop buddy didn't have large enough scraps and I
wouldn't agree to cut a full sheet. So, I used some tractor trailer mud
flaps I've had hanging on the wall for years. The material is some pliable
plastic almost 3/16" thick. Hopefully, with the short spans, and aluminum
edging, it will not sag excessively. If it does, I'll reinforce more; or,
resort to the AL.
Photos are at
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g6117-grille-to-radiator-duct.html
or
http://goo.gl/5XojJ
Test results will follow next week.
Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI+ & EBL
www.gmcwipersetc.com
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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