Radiator Stone Guards???
 

So what are your thoughts on stone guards, went to a show a couple weeks ago and all but one "A" had one....my wife really liked it.

My guess is they block air flow a little but probably do protect the radiator.

Nick

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

If you check back there was a very long winded post on this subject about a month ago M! Wayne

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

Personal preference. Some like the looks. Some like the protection it affords.
Me I like the seeing the radiator.
Your car, do as you like and if it makes your wife happy then you know what they say....

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

saved by new 800 dollar radiator from bird strike

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

If I ever put one on my PU, I'll have the "screen" powder coated black to simulate the bare radiator. I also have a Globe Winterfront I could put on there, it's black, would provide protection from bird strikes, fits inside the shell (which at this point is a '30 car shell)

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

i dont like the look of them ,, even if that means eating another 800 rad so be it

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

Would not be without it!

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

Wish I had them on my other radiator. Now, $800 later I do.

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

I think they are mostly used to cover a dented radiator shell.

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

I have one on 2 out of my 3 As and although I understand what some say about not liking the look, I like the look of that $800 in my wallet even better.:D
I haven't gotten around to it but I could paint the mesh black to "hide it" and still have the peace of mind. So far, in about 40,000 miles, I haven't had a "Phew, glad I've got that screen there" moment but who knows? I t might come as soon as I leave the driveway next time out. Cheap insurance, I think.

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

I didn't like the looks of it, but I bought it because I just purchased a new radiator, now that its on the car it looks fine, don't buy the cheap one from Speedway, I was told you have to drill holes in the shell to install.

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

If any birds strike my rad, let them at least be game birds. Here in my state, any game that you kill with your car is yours, including deer, bear, elk, ducks, geese, quail, turkey, etc.

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

I just installed the cheap one from Speedway. No drilling required. Cutting a notch in the rubber grommet for the headlight wiring cable is necessary though. There's a sort of "J" shaped bracket that fits in the hole that's already in the shell where the grommet is located. I might post a photo tomorrow.

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

Agree, I don't like the look of them either. But I have one on my tudor. It was on there when my dad bought the car a few years ago. I think many use them because they like the look and think it dresses up the car. If I ever get my fordor finished, I do not plan to put one on it.

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

I bought "The Cheap One" from Speedway and it has been on my car for 3 years. Easy to install, no drilling, and still nice and shiny stainless steel.

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

Thanks for all the input guys....for those that have them if you purchase from Snyder's or Bert's do you need to drill any holes...that mak s me nervous.

Nick

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

I put one on because it makes the front look kind of like a 32 Chev.

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

What Mitch said...

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

No extra holes needed for the installation. I happen to like the way it looks.

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

If so, that's a SMART move, Glenn:D What qualifies YOU as an authority on what MOST people do? Some folks don't have the money to invest in PERFECT radiator shells or don't care about a dent or two, but just want to PROTECT their RADIATORS:)
Glenn, forgive me for sounding smart assed, but that was an unkind statement you made. We're ALL here to try to help & have a little FUN!
Anyone have a decent used one, for Vermin, my '29?--- P.M. me, please.
Bill W.

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

I put mine on this spring for our two week trip out east because I just had it re-cored and wanted to protect it. Last Tuesday I was invited to a car show at the retirement home where my father in law lives and decided it was a good time to remove the stone guard and look a little more original. After the show we were heading home and ahead of me someone tossed a French fry out the window of a car and a bunch of seagulls got so excited about the treat that they didn't look for cars and one flew right into the middle of my grill. I spent some time straightening some fins when I got home. But on the good side, I took best of show even though my car was not the best but was judged by old people who just love Model A's.

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

I like the looks of them, but I also like the looks of an open radiator. I have one on my leatherback because I just put a brand new radiator in it, and can't afford something to happen to it. :-)

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

I think they look llike a studebaker. My father always called such additions "guilding the lilly" and I think he was right. The car looks good like it came from the factory.

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

I think they look great and I don't use it to hide anything ! Just my preference ! Wayne

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

I wonder when they first came out? I've got to believe that getting holes punched in the radiator was a, fairly common occurence in the early days - what with gravel roads and stones from passing cars, not to mention from horse's hooves. I'll bet that there were some real interesting designs - going way back to the Model T days.

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

I think that most vendors that sell the rock guards will throw in a can of MMO & a reminder sticker to change your oil at 500 miles.

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

I'd actually like one that only cover the same area as the radiator and not any part of the shell --and in black only...

https://mshshots.smugmug.com/MsDaisy...8_143510-M.jpg

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

I like the look of them and have them on my two A's.
They won't stop small rocks and bugs from hitting the radiator and it's very rare that a bird is going to hit it. So I think it's really only a matter of taste.

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

Cost me big time to have this period Stone Guard re-plated. :eek:

Only to take it off and hang it on the wall as garage art.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/pictur...pictureid=2392

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

I'm with you.

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

When I was a kid (a long time ago), we would put expanded metal, sprayed black, between the shell and radiator. Made our old crappy radiators look good and protected. WE mostly did it for the looks. Cost almost nothing

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

And ditto..............

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

Yeah, I don't like the way it makes the car look, although, that's simply a taste thing.

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

One of our guys just uses 1/2" hardware cloth when we go on tours where the roads aren't the best. Takes it off all the other times.

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

Sorry, I didn't mean to offend anyone.
Glenn in Camino

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

I don't care for the looks of the stone guards, but if I felt the need for one this is the way to go IMHO.:)

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

...bird strikes ????....... how fast are you guys driving ???....what about protecting your windshields or headlight lenses ? do you have those leather bibs that go over the front end of the fenders too ?

Doesn't the stone guard reduce air flow and create more drag ?

Sorry for the puns gentlemen but sometimes our opinions run away with themselves......

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

I am in the same province, do you want to sell that unloved part ? Wayne

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

It seems that once the restoration is done, we set out on the next challenge, "To make our cars what they never were!" This includes everything from heater manifolds to air cleaners, to fancy rear view mirrors with clocks, various ways to make it go faster to Radiator stone guards! Personally, I like the looks. It's not for everyone, but I've acquired one and I'm looking for two more! Anybody?
Terry

Re: Radiator Stone Guards???
 

Depending on where we go on tours, many of our guys have headlight covers that are used especially on gravel roads or in construction areas. Those that don't tend to have headlight lens replacement after we get home. As far as windshields, just make sure they are safety glass, or you are wearing safety goggles!