My DW says I'm anal/OCD.....am I?
Been getting the rig ready for a big trip. I've taken care of all maintenance and fixed everything that wasn't right. Lubed the chassis, wire brushed rust and painted it, fixed a cracked water fitti...
Forum Discussion
First off, thanks to all that responded. It makes me feel better that I am not alone keeping their rigs in the best condition they can and looking good. I really do enjoy doing it, and it is a good feeling knowing that everything is working as it should.
Also, there were a lot of comments on radiator efficiency. While I was straitening the fins, I was estimating that there had to be probably at least 10% of the surface area blocked. However, after about an hour of sitting there and staring at these fins, I realized that in side the airflow channels, maybe .3-.4 inches in, there is a slot cut in each of the aluminum fins to the adjacent channel. I realized that with this design, if a couple of channels get blocked, the air can still flow through those as it can dump to the adjacent ones. Pretty ingenious design, really. So you radiator can take a bit of damage, as long as it is on the outer surface and doesn't go too deep. SO the airflow lost from the outer surface fins being bent isn't as bad as you think. However, when I was openeing some of them up, there would be a piece of leaf, sand, or bug in there. I am sure my radiator is now more efficient, but not as big a change as I was originally thinking. Bottom line, I would still gladdly straighten them out!!
Thanks again everybody. Can't wait to get on the road...down to hours now.
jeff
Also, there were a lot of comments on radiator efficiency. While I was straitening the fins, I was estimating that there had to be probably at least 10% of the surface area blocked. However, after about an hour of sitting there and staring at these fins, I realized that in side the airflow channels, maybe .3-.4 inches in, there is a slot cut in each of the aluminum fins to the adjacent channel. I realized that with this design, if a couple of channels get blocked, the air can still flow through those as it can dump to the adjacent ones. Pretty ingenious design, really. So you radiator can take a bit of damage, as long as it is on the outer surface and doesn't go too deep. SO the airflow lost from the outer surface fins being bent isn't as bad as you think. However, when I was openeing some of them up, there would be a piece of leaf, sand, or bug in there. I am sure my radiator is now more efficient, but not as big a change as I was originally thinking. Bottom line, I would still gladdly straighten them out!!
Thanks again everybody. Can't wait to get on the road...down to hours now.
jeff
