Just wondering if it would hurt anything to put cardboard in front of my radiator for the winter. I am running a 203 stat and it takes forever to get to temp. Thanks

 

if your temps are like they are here it wont hurt anything. with an 203 thermostat though its probably not going to help much unless your t-stat isnt working properly

 

Unless you're running a big rig, blocking airflow to the radiator is generally NOT a good idea. Other components in the engine bay are cooled by airflow. Block the airflow, and the cooling effect is gone. I'm thinking mostly of the electrical components (like the alternator) in this situation.

 

dont block 100%, i blocked most of mine but left some airflow in areas and definatly leave the trans cooler open. also, cardboard falls apart, i used plexiglass

 

I block mine off with no problems


I also have the 203 stat and notice heat sooner than with the stock stat .

 

not 100%, your heavy duty bumper has the air inlets......

 

you cant even tell i have mine installed!

 

Blocking the radiator won't do jack to help warm up times. The whole purpose of a thermostat controlled system like ours is that there is no coolant flow through the radiator unless the engine is up to temp and the thermostat opens. Until the engine is at temp the radiator isn't cooling anything.

 

my problem is cooling off while going down the road during the winter, thats why i did it, i typicly get heat by 2 miles from the house with no idle time, just 25-30 mph back roads.

 

I agree It doesn,t help warm up times but it does hold the heat better when you are running down the highway at 70mph in the -30c temps

 

It may but if your stat is working correctly the effect is due to airflow around the engine itself being reduced. And at really cold temps you could certainly cool the engine just with airflow around the block.

 

This is known as a West Virginia Thermostat here in Southern Ohio

 

That's funny cause up here in Michigan we call them a Southern Ohio thermostat.





(joking!!!)

 

i agree with a benefit when running 70 on the interstate with no load, i dont normally run anything on the front of my truck iv done cardbord before and it started deteriorating pretty quickly. iv wanted to get one of the soft covers like posted above, there has been one on my truck before as it already has the one side of the snaps on the grill

 

I've been thinking about this as well... I'm going to do the 203 first... It's taken priority over everything right now.
but, I've been talking to another guy who blocks off his grill for aerodynamics, and he tells me, (on his sooperdudy) he can block off 60% of his grill w/out affecting cooling... food for thought.
definately leave your tranny cooler open though...