The Ford Barn

JohnB15632 · 02-09-2016, 02:12 PM

Do you gentlemen and ladies,run you Model A's with or without a radiator screen?

Please recommend why or why not. Thanks!

burner31 · 02-09-2016, 02:32 PM

You must be asking about a "stone guard"
I don't have one, right now.
Those are a aftermarket item, and not original to the car.
But I do like the way they look and will get one later down the road.

2manycars · 02-09-2016, 02:37 PM

Makes the car look like a different make. Some love them, I would not have a car with one.

Mitch//pa · 02-09-2016, 03:56 PM

I think they are ugly,,, used to have it but since took it off

JohnB15632 · 02-09-2016, 03:59 PM

I understand that it is not the best looking item, but at the blinkity blink cost of the radiator, with this much an investment, I think that I will go with the guard. I am going for touring not judging, so.........

2manycars · 02-09-2016, 04:10 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

If you drive on dirt roads with loose rocks, and follow other cars closely, it might save the radiator. I have driven mine for over 40 years without one, and no trouble yet.

Mitch//pa · 02-09-2016, 04:21 PM

If I have the misfortune of ruining a radiator then so be it..

George Miller · 02-09-2016, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

I think they are ugly,,, used to have it but since took it off

I'm going with Mitch. Ugly. Maybe I'm lucky, 50 years and lots of miles with out one.

Del in NE Ohio · 02-09-2016, 05:27 PM

Are you looking for a fine mesh bug screen? I see them in the summer on Model A street rods. I have had one for years, think I got it at Bratton's.

CarlG · 02-09-2016, 05:32 PM

On a tour, those big dragon flies are just trophies anyway, aren't they?

Jordan · 02-09-2016, 05:42 PM

I will say a stone guard recently saved my $500 radiator. My brother was driving my car down a rather busy street in our area around 45 MPH. There was a truck that was just ahead of him but in the lane next to his. A piece of his bumper flew off and flew up directly into the stone guard. It completely dented the stone guard, pushing it back into the radiator shell denting that as well. It knocked off some radiator badges. Had the stone guard not been there, the radiator would of been destroyed. Freak accident, but I'm glad it was there.

After towing my car on a couple of occasions, I noticed some damaged fins on the radiator from what I assume to be stuff thrown up from the tow vehicle which is what caused me to invest in the stone guard.

burner31 · 02-09-2016, 05:52 PM

Didn't know they had these.
Can find no pics of them on model A's
Half the price of a stone guard.

1931 flamingo · 02-09-2016, 06:23 PM

burner 31: Where'd you find that?? Doesn't look like it would let ANY air thru.
Paul in CT

Bader · 02-09-2016, 07:04 PM

Stainless mesh between shell and rad,works great.

Kurt in NJ · 02-09-2016, 07:21 PM

Over 40 years no problem--- full coverage insurance with 0 deductible-- yet to use it

Y-Blockhead · 02-09-2016, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

burner 31: Where'd you find that?? Doesn't look like it would let ANY air thru.
Paul in CT

MAC's http://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_mo...en-386106.html It has a fine screen similar to a window screen. For keeping the Bugs out, Don't think it would protect the radiator against rocks.

burner31 · 02-09-2016, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

burner 31: Where'd you find that?? Doesn't look like it would let ANY air thru.
Paul in CT

MAC's Part #: 28-24584-1 $104.79 plus shipping of course

Type in bug screen

ModelAMike1930 · 02-09-2016, 10:17 PM

I use the stone guards on both of my model A"s to protect the radiators.

Mike V. Florida · 02-09-2016, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

I think they are ugly,,, used to have it but since took it off

I agree.

DougVieyra · 02-10-2016, 02:26 AM

Stone Guards are a 'dress up' cosmetic item that are primarily intended to 'gussy up' a plain-Jane face - much like a woman uses make up to enhance her appearance. No real value, other than enriching the image of the cheapest car made in America. Nothing wrong with that. Some like a 'classy gal', others appreciate the honest plainness of the basic platform.

But like a great many other 'improvements' these accessories were primarily made to make the makers and sellers rich. Secondly to make the buyer happy. No real loser here, only winners.

While I enjoy the 'Up-Scale' look of the Stone Guard on my Deluxe '31 Coupe, I would find the Stone Guard on my '28 Phaeton an obnoxious eye-sore, especially as they were not available in the '20's & '30's.

35 years ago when driving the many miles of dirt and gravel roads in Alaska and Northern British Columbia, I installed a wire mesh screen in front of my '30 Coupe's radiator, and had my original 1930 Stone Guard in front of that. In that case it was not about cosmetics, but about a real need. But I think few of us drive those kinds of roads anymore, and the need is more about our own desires to fulfill our sense of aesthetics.

02-09-2016, 02:12 PM	#1
JohnB15632 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Export, PA (Outside of Pittsburgh) Posts: 520	Radiator Screen Do you gentlemen and ladies,run you Model A's with or without a radiator screen? Please recommend why or why not. Thanks!

02-09-2016, 02:37 PM	#3
2manycars Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern CT Posts: 2,732	Re: Radiator Screen Makes the car look like a different make. Some love them, I would not have a car with one.

02-09-2016, 03:56 PM	#4
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Radiator Screen I think they are ugly,,, used to have it but since took it off

02-09-2016, 03:59 PM	#5
JohnB15632 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Export, PA (Outside of Pittsburgh) Posts: 520	Re: Radiator Screen I understand that it is not the best looking item, but at the blinkity blink cost of the radiator, with this much an investment, I think that I will go with the guard. I am going for touring not judging, so.........

02-09-2016, 04:10 PM	#6
2manycars Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern CT Posts: 2,732	Re: Radiator Screen Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If you drive on dirt roads with loose rocks, and follow other cars closely, it might save the radiator. I have driven mine for over 40 years without one, and no trouble yet.

02-09-2016, 04:21 PM	#7
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Radiator Screen If I have the misfortune of ruining a radiator then so be it..

02-09-2016, 05:27 PM	#9
Del in NE Ohio Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Columbiana,OH Posts: 461	Re: Radiator Screen Are you looking for a fine mesh bug screen? I see them in the summer on Model A street rods. I have had one for years, think I got it at Bratton's.

02-09-2016, 05:32 PM	#10
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: Radiator Screen On a tour, those big dragon flies are just trophies anyway, aren't they? __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

02-09-2016, 05:42 PM	#11
Jordan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ft. Worth Posts: 1,006	Re: Radiator Screen I will say a stone guard recently saved my $500 radiator. My brother was driving my car down a rather busy street in our area around 45 MPH. There was a truck that was just ahead of him but in the lane next to his. A piece of his bumper flew off and flew up directly into the stone guard. It completely dented the stone guard, pushing it back into the radiator shell denting that as well. It knocked off some radiator badges. Had the stone guard not been there, the radiator would of been destroyed. Freak accident, but I'm glad it was there. After towing my car on a couple of occasions, I noticed some damaged fins on the radiator from what I assume to be stuff thrown up from the tow vehicle which is what caused me to invest in the stone guard. __________________ Cowtown A's

02-09-2016, 06:23 PM	#13
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Radiator Screen burner 31: Where'd you find that?? Doesn't look like it would let ANY air thru. Paul in CT

02-09-2016, 07:21 PM	#15
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,156	Re: Radiator Screen Over 40 years no problem--- full coverage insurance with 0 deductible-- yet to use it

02-09-2016, 10:17 PM	#18
ModelAMike1930 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Illinois Posts: 382	Re: Radiator Screen I use the stone guards on both of my model A"s to protect the radiators.

02-10-2016, 02:26 AM	#20
DougVieyra Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Eureka, California Posts: 1,716	Re: Radiator Screen Stone Guards are a 'dress up' cosmetic item that are primarily intended to 'gussy up' a plain-Jane face - much like a woman uses make up to enhance her appearance. No real value, other than enriching the image of the cheapest car made in America. Nothing wrong with that. Some like a 'classy gal', others appreciate the honest plainness of the basic platform. But like a great many other 'improvements' these accessories were primarily made to make the makers and sellers rich. Secondly to make the buyer happy. No real loser here, only winners. While I enjoy the 'Up-Scale' look of the Stone Guard on my Deluxe '31 Coupe, I would find the Stone Guard on my '28 Phaeton an obnoxious eye-sore, especially as they were not available in the '20's & '30's. 35 years ago when driving the many miles of dirt and gravel roads in Alaska and Northern British Columbia, I installed a wire mesh screen in front of my '30 Coupe's radiator, and had my original 1930 Stone Guard in front of that. In that case it was not about cosmetics, but about a real need. But I think few of us drive those kinds of roads anymore, and the need is more about our own desires to fulfill our sense of aesthetics. Last edited by DougVieyra; 02-10-2016 at 09:48 PM.