Air dam radiator

[tima01864]

There is an air dam, that is what I think it is, Between the front and above the radiator resting bracket. Covers the radiator from road debris and a left and right shield blocking air to the radiator. Just noticing mine has been removed, My question is why would the PO have removed this? Anyone have a clue? My engine did seem to run cool and thought it was a low temp thermostat but now I think this is why.

[kilrwail]

A lot of people remove that pan and air dam because it interferes with changing the oil filter, which I think is a lame reason. Leaving it in place directs the air flow from the grill openings into the radiator, which is the point.

[tima01864]

That pan is in place, I know what you are referring to. The one I am asking about is welded in place, Spans the rail in front of te radiator with baffles left and right. I will try and get a picture posted

[RRoller123]

Radiator Air Dam Normal:



Radiator Air Dam Missing:

Note that this missing sheet metal is spot welded in place, therefore it was deliberately removed. Couldn't see this at car inspection, as it is really well hidden by the radiator, overlooked from the front through the grill too.

[tima01864]

Here it is, I have to wonder why it was removed. If for any good reason.

[rridge]

It's not an air dam but a splitter or air flow smoother. The 2liter cars have a deeper radiator and increased grill opening below that crossmember. PF put a pointed sheetmetal nose on the front side of the crossmember to increase airflow through the grill by splitting it with some going above and some below the crossmember to enter the full radiator face.

When a/c kits were added to these cars (there were no "factory" a/c systems) that splitter interfered with the mounting of an a/c condenser between the grill and the crossmember. So the installer, usually a dealer, removed the sheetmetal nose and left the blunt front side of the crossmember exposed to the air flow. A tangle of wires under the relay tray or a missing relay tray usually confirms the former presence of an a/c system.

[tima01864]

Thank you, That is a good explanation. I dont really see any impact damage to account for the removal of the splitter. I went to the local autobody dumpster and found a plastic part to make a replacement, Fits in that space like it was made for it, Lucky find
Sadly the first owner is not around and the second owner may not know much more than me.

[rridge]

At high speed the 2 liter Spider usually has plenty of cooling capacity. The fan should only be triggered at low speed or when stopped. With the fan running cooling performance depends on discouraging hot air from recirculating to the front of the radiator for a second pass. Pay attention to sealing the sides and bottom of the radiator. Both the chin spoiler and the belly pan are important to discouraging recirculation under the bottom of the radiator when stalled in traffic. Yet one or both are usually missing from any late Spider.

The majority of Pininfarina Spiders '83-85 had a/c installed at some time or other. If you tell people that it came from the factory that way few would doubt you.

[RRoller123]

Excellent explanation! I am sure you have hit upon it.

[tima01864]

Is the chin spoiler (https://autoricambi.us/front-air-dam-or-spoiler/) A stock item or aftermarket? Rridge

[rridge]

The black chin spoiler shown on the red Spider in the header at the top of the page was stock from 1979 on. You should have a series of perhaps six punched holes for mounting near the bottom lip of the front valence. They were routinely knocked off on parking curbs and not replaced since they are difficult to spot, particularly with the stock bumper still in place but they were there for function, not fashion.

[tima01864]

I will look around for a good used one. Have wondered what those holes were for!