Radiator 'flaps'

[cdt]

On either side of my radiator fan there are two large rectangular holes with flaps over them, presumably so when the fan is on these cover these holes to force air through the radiator.

Looking today, one of these flaps is gone and the other looks like it may fall off before too long. The top of the flaps are in a strip of metal and are attached to the GRP with 3 rivets. Can replacements be bought and what's the best way to attach them?

[wedg1e]

Yep, my car has these too. Due to heat and airflow they're permanently deformed and never close off the bloody holes anyway.

[GreenV8S]

You could buy some rubber sheet and replace them if they've become distorted.

cdt said:

what's the best way to attach them?

Three pop rivets should do the trick?

[digga951]

If you don't have a place that sells rubber near you, then a cheap rubber car mat could be made into strips. Probably find one in B&Q or Homebase for a couple of quid. 3 pop rivets and some washers should do the trick for another 15 years!

[KJR]

I just used an off cut from a piece of kitchen lino.

KJR

[blaineuk]

digga951 said:

If you don't have a place that sells rubber near you, then a cheap rubber car mat could be made into strips. Probably find one in B&Q or Homebase for a couple of quid. 3 pop rivets and some washers should do the trick for another 15 years!

what he said.

[cdt]

Would it be more effective thinner or thicker?

[victormeldrew]

Thinner I would have thought. Needs to be easily deflected by force of air through rad, but fall smartly back into place when no airflow to prevent air recirculation.

[cdt]

Is one of these likely to do the job, or do I need something more heavy duty?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HAND-RIVET-GUN-

[wedg1e]

I found those flaps to be a right fanny-on. What a of a job. In the end I couldn't be ar53ed

[rev-erend]

Unless your car is a high HP monster then the lack of flaps won't
make too much difference.

Mine were stopped from opening properly with other things in the way anyway..

Yes - any rivet gun will do but the bad news is you have to drill out the old rivet and its not an easy place to get to.. even with the bonnet off.

[jmorgan]

cdt said:

Is one of these likely to do the job, or do I need something more heavy duty?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HAND-RIVET-GUN-

I had one with a swivel head, handy in tight places. The spanner monster has eaten it at the moment.

[wedg1e]

jmorgan said:

I had one with a swivel head, handy in tight places.

Fnnnaaaarrrr...

[cdt]

rev-erend said:

Unless your car is a high HP monster then the lack of flaps won't
make too much difference.

Mine were stopped from opening properly with other things in the way anyway..

Yes - any rivet gun will do but the bad news is you have to drill out the old rivet and its not an easy place to get to.. even with the bonnet off.

Might it be easier to leave the existing rivets and drill a couple of new holes? I might get one of those snake drill attachments to make the job a bit easier.