400 SE Radiator Surround?

[ElvisWedgely]

Does anyone know what should be covering, if anything, on the two sides of a single fan, or have a photo of the radiator surround. Only on mine there was a thin rubber sheet covering both sides attached at the top and just flapping around. On one side its come off and on the other its just hanging loose. I am thinking of taking that one off too as I don't see much use for them. I know in theory they are meant to cover the open space on both sides in order to create a better suction for the fan, but it all seems to work fine without them. I've had Wedges before but never noticed these, unless they were not there on the previous ones. Any photos or advice from other V8 wedge owners with a single fan most welcome.

Tony. TCB.

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Tony...I think they stop the fan from pulling hot air from the engine bay when the fan is cooling the rad when its stationary and then open to allow more air through when moving..I know they are riveted to a plate when it would be better screwed or bolted so that you can replace them with some nitrile sheet of the same thickness, You could probably fill them over with some fibreglass but might need a larger fan...Ziga

[ElvisWedgely]

Mark. Your car sounds awesome by the way. Thanks for the info, but I'm just wondering if I should replace them or not. The one that's still on there doesn't look that healthy either. So you are saying, they should open when the car moves and shut when the car stops to stop hot air from the engine. I suppose I could replace them with some sheet rubber I have in my garage if they are just meant to be flaps hanging down. I never noticed them before on previous cars.

Tony. TCB.

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Tony..Im sure someone else could confirm their operation..I have the rad cowling from an S2 350i which is the same and i have seen them in 390's and 400's..Its a shame the flaps are tearing from the plates that i have as i could of drilled out the rivets and sent them to you..Obviously any replacement for the rubber needs to be petrol and oil resistant and durable..Thanks for the compliments also...Cheers..Ziga

[Number 7]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I've only seen them on the 400/450 cars. Worth having I believe, but you do need to make sure that the side by the lower rad hose can clear that hose and come back to its normal position when stationary - for me that meant trimming the lower edge of the flap a little.

[Rockettvr]

Number 7 said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I've only seen them on the 400/450 cars.

My 1987 350 has them fitted. As said think they're there to help make the fan a little more efficient when stationary then they open up when moving.

[ElvisWedgely]

Thanks for that gentlemen. The information is very helpful especially the pictures from Number 7. I am going to have a good look at it the next time I take the car out and see if I can replace them in situ, though the gap seems a bit tight where they are. One of them is still on there and the other has come completely off. Strictly speaking they both need replacing. I've used the car in traffic on a hot day and everything seems to be functioning fine with one missing. However, it's probably best to have them, as I guess they were put there for a purpose in the first place.

Tony. TCB.

[Number 7]

ElvisWedgely said:

Thanks for that gentlemen. The information is very helpful especially the pictures from Number 7. I am going to have a good look at it the next time I take the car out and see if I can replace them in situ, though the gap seems a bit tight where they are. One of them is still on there and the other has come completely off. Strictly speaking they both need replacing. I've used the car in traffic on a hot day and everything seems to be functioning fine with one missing. However, it's probably best to have them, as I guess they were put there for a purpose in the first place.

Tony. TCB.

On mine the original flaps were riveted to the cowl, and what happens over the years through a combination of heat and the constant backwards and forwards motion of the flaps in the airflow is that the rubber creases at the top and eventually breaks. You really need to remove the cowl to drill out the rivets and replace the flaps (IIRC you may need to remove the fan first - although I'm not completely sure if the cowl will come out whilst the rad is in place). I replaced mine with strips of rubber 3mm thick, and used small bolts to secure them to the cowl. I also took the opportunity to reinforce the fan mountings on the cowl, which looked a bit weak.