Hello Friends.
A member on this forum had mentioned the effect of The Air Forced into the Radiator as the Pantera Travels down the Road at a High Rate of Speed. He Named it a 'Blast Pressure'.
I have noticed that a Few of us Pantera owners, Have the TOP Radiator Cover Plate, Missing! whether the Radiator was Mounted Straight-up as Original...or is Laid Down. And whether the SIDE Skirts are On or Not on. Mine have been left off, since I first Laid the Radiator Down. My concern here, is With the Missing Top cover, Most all of the Pressure is 'Relieved', to pass OVER the Top of the Radiator and out, either through the Hood 'Grates', Or Up and OVER the Radiator and down the back side and under the car. NOT Passing through the Radiator. True the Missing side skirts relieve 'Some of the Pressure but, Most is Lost to the missing Cover. I imagine this can and will reduce the effectiveness of the Rad. as far as cooling while cruizing at High Freeway Speeds. Not a factor during stop and go traffic, where the Fans will do a Great Job of air flow, and there would be a very low 'Blast Pressure'.
Now to the Fans, In the photo you will see 1 Large Fan and 2 Smaller Fans (one is hidden lower down). All 3 are 'suckers'. 100% Manually Controlled. The Larger being the Main and the Two Smaller Fans are auxiliaries. One switch for the Main. One switch for the Aux's, all on 30 Amp Relays. I better never forget to turn on at least the Main. Which I do when first starting and leaving the Driveway. Then when warmed up, I Add the Auxiliaries. Back on the Freeway, say 85F Ambient temp...the Engine coolant will Stabilize at 187F-194F. All 3 Fans running. Cruizing Easy at 75-80 MPH.
I Experimented...turning OFF the 2 Aux's as the Temp edged up to 197F. Surprise! The temp came down to 188F. Could the 'Extra' Fans have caused an 'Interference' in the Total Air Flow Through the Radiator?? Only more testing will tell. Ofcourse, I will turn the Aux. back on before leaving the Freeway.
If your Radiator is missing It's Cover, whether Laid down or upright, and the coolant in Your Pantera is running somewhat Hotter than it needs to be, you may thing about searching out a appropriate Rad. Cover. It WILL Help, making a Difference!!
Thank You, and enjoy the Photo.
Please notice the Hinge Bolts are 'Stainless 'Flanged' 'Button' Allen-Heads' in Metric. Find them online. A Very 'Clean'
Look.
All the best,
