87 PT40 Radiator/Battery Covers

[GregOConnor]

MrKane. Can you move the remaining louvers top and bottom and leave the missing louvers in the center then make a sheet metal c channel to fill the missing center solid. this will also act as a brace to keep the other louvers in place. you would need to angle the top bend up at the louver slat angle to hide the radiator and angle the bottom bend up to clear the slat below it.
the problem with using the expanded metal is the BlueBird designed angled louvers hide the radiator from view straight on (flat or mat black paint also helps). Building a gate with expanded metal it will look unfinished because you would be able to see the bracing and the radiator.
aluminum has its advantages in slats because it wont sag on the louver angle but it is too pliable. sheet metal with bends or bead-rolls is stronger than aluminum and remains more ridged and doesn't require the bracing and structure as using stock mild steel material.
here is a pic of my idea. in this pic I removed the louvers inline with the brown stripe and set in a full band of sheet metal. it obstructs some airflow but look at the old Buick grills
by the way this bus is for sale 29 grand http://www.ksl.com/?nid=218&ad=31564342&...=&ad_cid=1