partially blocking radiator in winter

[Gordon Maney]

With gas engine powered vehicles in the past, I have blocked radiators as much as one third of their area, by using a piece of cardboard with a circle cut in it, centered on the fan.



With a diesel like the Cummins, would that be a good amount to block, or would it be helpful to block somewhat more? I do not have an automatic transmission, so there is no cooler.

 

[chuck3]

Gordon, some people do that allso and some remove the fan, I put plastic slot cutouts in the grill to block off the air. Do some searches and you will find a lot of different ways to do it.

 

[Gordon Maney]

My concern about blocking the grill was that air would come in from below anyway.

 

[DavidD]

Gordon, If you look around you will find all types of blocking devices. i use the Lund cold air fronts. they come in both black plastic and stainless steel. they fit in the grill area so they block most of the grill even have ones for the bottom area. I use them when the temps get 20 or lower. they do help the engine warm up faster and the cummins even sounds better cause you do not have that sub-freezing air going over the intercooler. the engine runs a little quieter without that cold air coming into it. Maybe some engineer types would now what the optimine air temp is for intake air? I dont I just know it runs alittle better if it is thoughly warmed up. Got mine at Quadra-tec.com! Good luick. Ps they look good too! Dave

 

[Bob Wagner]

Evan says a bug screen is a bad idea in the summer

maybe it would work great for a winter guard



ya never know

 

[chuck3]

Now thats COLD Bob.

 

[EricBu12]

Chuck, do you still have the cold fronts I sold you in the grille?



Gordon,

I sell a cold front that bolts through the grille to block off the air in the 4 openings, the only air to get to the radiator is the bumper holes. It helps the radiator to warm up considerably faster.



here is the link to the ad for them. They are $25/set delivered.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...xact_match=on&photo_size=full&query=retrieval



E-mail me if you want a set

Eric

 

[juicedcummins]

There is a member selling the fronts as stated above and they look good. I already had a set of lunds or else would probably be running his.

In my case and climate they are a good start but not enough to keep the mighty cummins happy.

I run a piece of cardboard as well as the fronts. The card board goes infront of the rad not the intercooler. Ther is also 12inch hole dead center to allow the fan some air. It drops in real easy so if it warms up to much it comes just as easy. The size of the hole will depend on your driving habbits and load. I run a hornton fan also and it makes a big diff.

My exp as a long-haul gear jammer leads me to believe to never block of the intercooler and I've run in temps as low as -50C in the north before winchill.

If anybody was to make shudders they would be the ultimate!

 

[chuck3]

Yes I do Eric and like them a lot, they work well and look good, thanks. Chuck.

 

[JohnE]

The Charge Air Cooler (CAC) must have air flow. The rule of thumb is 1 ft² or a 9" circle in your board between the CAC and radiator.



Personally, I removed the fan and use Eric's cold fronts. Screws up the OAT sensor in your overhead console though. Of course, if you start out with an ESPAR warmed truck...



Bob;

You mean I don't have to take the bug sieve off in the winter?



-John

 

[nunya]

Use Eric`s guards! They work wonders when it gets to -20 here in Colorado. Truck warms up much quicker for sure and they look good too.