PT Radiator Air Scoop - Printable Version

Scott,
I have a scoop on my 85PT40. Living in Texas, and knowing that heat is the ultimate
killer of diesels and having to go thru the whole cooling system lead me to add the
scoop.
The scoop sticks out 4 inches and is 7 inches wide. The size was determined partially
by the aluminum trim on the sides, so the scoop would match it visually from the side of
the bus. I measured my existing louvered grill and had a stainless steel scoop made to fit
over the grill at the end.
The scoop and 2 additional modifications lowered my temps 10 degrees. I now run a
maximum of 180. I also put in 10 degree lower thermostats and changed my 1 speed
engine cooling fan to a 2 speed. I can send you a picture if you want. The mods also
lower the engine oil temp, the tranny temp and the power steering/fan system temp.

Rick Archie
85PT40 "Fort R"
Fort Worth

--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "Scott Forman" <scottforman75@<WBR>...>
wrote:
>
> If the scoop pushed more air through the radiator, it could lower
> operating temp to the point that the alarmastat doesn't kick in.
> More air=cooler, that is the whole point of the fan. I am not
> looking for lesson on how the colling system works, and if you payed
> attention you would see that I just mentioned that I have a freshly
> re-cored (i.e. NOT DIRTY) radiator in my bus. I am looking for
> people that have anecdotal stories about scoops, not for people who
> are answering every question except the one I asked.
>
> Scott
>
> --- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", Leroy Eckert
> > wrote:
> >
> > First the scoop will not cool the radiator any quicker or cooler or
> reduce the fan on off sequence because the water temp is controlled
> by an instrument *Alarmstat* designated by BB. It the radiator is
> plugged up it ain't gonna cool, scoop, extra fans or anything else.
> On most coaches through 1994 there is an Alarmstat which senses the
> water temp and activates the fan to high mode and back to idle mode
> constantly if the fan override and the chassis a/c is off. It cycles
> between -+ 8 degrees. It was specified by BB at 195 degrees.
> Accordingly, the fan in idle mode spins between 200 and 600 rpm at
> engine rpm values 800-2100 rpm according to my BB manuals. So, if
> the radiator is not clean and good massive amounts of air will do not
> good the result being the fan will cycle more often. In high mode,
> chassis a/c on; or fan override on; the fan runs at approx. 1800 rpm.
> The only thing that will stop the fan high/idle mode sequence timing
> is a new radiator.
> > It makes a lot of sense. Bad radiator, no air flow, no efficient
> cooling. A scoop is not going to help a bad radiator. It is that
> simple. Of course it may help for a bit if you remove the Alarmstat,
> let the fan run constantly and you may see some reduced temps.
> > I have jacked with my bus using VMSpc for quite some time and I
> cannot prove the old wife's tale that the fan reduces mileage. I have
> documents with lots of numbers on them that support my opinion. I
> realize opinions are like a$$holes, everyone has one. However, my
> numbers prove my statement. I long ago changed my Alarmstat to 190
> degrees after talking to BB and Detroit Diesel mechanics. I have seen
> a 7% decrease in overall temps without a decrease in mileage. I have
> a good radiator.
> > My conclusion is, the Birds did not have a problem when they were
> built or there would have been a recall. 15-20 year old radiators
> need a good going over and all will be well. No scoop needed.
> > Think of an Alarmstat as a forced high temp thermostat, because
> that is what it is.
> >
> > Leroy Eckert
> > 1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
> > Dahlonega, GA
> > Royale Conversion
> >
> > --- On Wed, 8/6/08, Scott Forman <scottforman75@<WBR>> wrote:
> > From: Scott Forman <scottforman75@<WBR>>
> > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: PT Radiator Air Scoop
> > To: "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com"
> > Date: Wednesday, August 6, 2008, 8:07 PM
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > I do not have a cooling problem, in fact I just re-
> cored my
> >
> > radiator. Just wondering if the scoop could give me the 5 degrees
> I
> >
> > need to keep the fan from kicking on...which as we all know saps
> fuel
> >
> > economy...during hot weather.
> >
> >
> >
> > Scott
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, "Gregory OConnor"
> >
> > wrote:
> >
> > >
> >
> > > Scott, when the engineered systems will no longer control the
> heat,
> >
> > > there is issue with the systems. to make things run cooler at
> more
> >
> > > stress, can only prove to allow more stress than engineered. I
> pust
> >
> > it
> >
> > > to the limits of heat befor I back off stress. A mod to help
> >
> > overcome
> >
> > > ambient temp influence like the radiator evaporative cooler MikeH
> >
> > uses
> >
> > > is one mod I would like to try.
> >
> > >
> >
> > > GregoryO'Connor
> >
> > > 94ptRomolandCa
> >
> > >
> >
> > >
> >
> > >
> >
> > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, "Scott Forman"
> >
> > > <scottforman75@ > wrote:
> >
> > > >
> >
> > > > There was some talk a while back about fabricating an air scoop
> >
> > for
> >
> > > the
> >
> > > > radiator grill on a PT to increase air flow through the
> >
> > radiator.
> >
> > > Did
> >
> > > > anyone install one? Does it seem to make a difference? How
> did
> >
> > you
> >
> > > > build it?
> >
> > > >
> >
> > > > Scott Forman
> >
> > > > 86 PT38
> >
> > > > Memphis
> >
> > > >
> >
> > >
> >
>