[DeTomaso] Straightening Radiator Condenser Fins

Julian Kift julian_kift at hotmail.com
Tue Aug 4 15:48:36 EDT 2020


All the media press was on the Shadow flip, I receive feed from a number of racing news sites and still haven't seen anything on the F5000 crash, but it sounds as though that was the far worse event of the weekend.

Great to hear that you are all venturing out to some of the great tracks and events, I must make more of an effort!

Julian
________________________________
From: John Taphorn <johnftaphorn at gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 2, 2020 8:44 PM
To: Julian Kift <julian_kift at hotmail.com>
Cc: Charles Engles <cengles at cox.net>; <detomaso at server.detomasolist.com> <detomaso at server.detomasolist.com>
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Straightening Radiator Condenser Fins

Indeed Julian, The Shadow incident happened right in front of our Paddock.  Although, at the time of the incident, we were playing spectator at Firemans Hill.

Day 1, I had a formula 5000 crash seconds before me in the Kink.  Unfortunately, he is still hospitalized and in a coma with shattered legs.  A real mess when I drove through. He had just passed me up the hill before turn 6.

For those less familiar.  The Kink is a curve on the back straight that is a test of courage and can be taken quite fast with lots of g-loading.  However due to space limitations because of a RR right of way, adequate safety runoff is non-existent.

Rob Pink and I made the two day drive from Houston. We had our own issues at the track and still had a grand time.  My challenges included leaving the track at 105 MPH at turn 14 and a spark plug wire coming off in the main event.

The weekend was made possible thanks to Tom and Dena Shinrock.  Our normal crew was unavailable to assist and they agreed to support our effort over the four days.  I had ran into Tom and Dena at the Event last year and Tom had been attending as a spectator for 30yrs.  I reached out to them seeking their assist and thankfully, they welcomed the opportunity.  Tom got put through the paces. But, I think he enjoyed the new perspective.  Only wish we could have made him more proud with better performances.

JT

On Sun, Aug 2, 2020 at 3:04 PM Julian Kift <julian_kift at hotmail.com<mailto:julian_kift at hotmail.com>> wrote:
Quite the trek to RA from Houston! I hope you had fun! Was that the Vintage weekend with the Shadow cars reunion where Jim Pace had a blow over in the DN-4?

Julian

________________________________
From: DeTomaso <detomaso-bounces at server.detomasolist.com<mailto:detomaso-bounces at server.detomasolist.com>> on behalf of John Taphorn <johnftaphorn at gmail.com<mailto:johnftaphorn at gmail.com>>
Sent: Sunday, August 2, 2020 6:11 AM
To: Charles Engles <cengles at cox.net<mailto:cengles at cox.net>>
Cc: <detomaso at server.detomasolist.com<mailto:detomaso at server.detomasolist.com>> <detomaso at server.detomasolist.com<mailto:detomaso at server.detomasolist.com>>
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Straightening Radiator Condenser Fins

I think so and perform the task routinely on my cars when the rad is out.
It is an exercise of patience.  I find the best tool to be a small
screwdriver or pick.  The rakes generally do not work on new radiators as
the coolant passages come out to the surface and the fins run
perpendicular.  You will also develop technique before long on how to best
manipulate the stretched fins back into shape for max air flow.

I put my formula car in a gravel trap at Road America last weekend and had
the opportunity for about one hour of zen meditation while
straightening stone flattened fins. At least I tell myself it makes for an
improvement.

Patience grasshopper.

Mike, As an engineer, you probably have what it takes

JT

On Sat, Aug 1, 2020 at 5:47 PM Charles Engles <cengles at cox.net<mailto:cengles at cox.net>> wrote:

> Dear Mike,
>
>             I have had a conventional tool to straighten the radiator fins
> for years and I have used it a handful of times.  It does not produce a
> "like new" result, but it does reduce the "dent" in the fins and preserves
> a
> bit more function.
>
>                         Warmest regards, Chuck Engles
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: DeTomaso [mailto:detomaso-bounces at server.detomasolist.com] On Behalf
> Of Mike & Elizabeth
> Sent: Saturday, August 01, 2020 4:06 PM
> To: detomaso at server.detomasolist.com<mailto:detomaso at server.detomasolist.com>
> Subject: [DeTomaso] Straightening Radiator Condenser Fins
>
> After 15 years knocking around up in my garage attic, the fins on the back
> of my stock radiator condenser have become quite mashed.  Is it worth
> trying
> to straighten them out?  I've ordered a rad fin straightening tool from
> Amazon but not sure if it will work that well.
>
>
>
> Thanks, Mike T.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
> Detomaso Email List is not managed by POCA
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> They also grant the list owner permission to maintain an archive or approve
> the archiving of list messages.
>
-------------- next part --------------
   All the media press was on the Shadow flip, I receive feed from a
   number of racing news sites and still haven't seen anything on the
   F5000 crash, but it sounds as though that was the far worse event of
   the weekend.

   Great to hear that you are all venturing out to some of the great
   tracks and events, I must make more of an effort!

   Julian
     __________________________________________________________________

   From: John Taphorn <johnftaphorn at gmail.com>
   Sent: Sunday, August 2, 2020 8:44 PM
   To: Julian Kift <julian_kift at hotmail.com>
   Cc: Charles Engles <cengles at cox.net>;
   <detomaso at server.detomasolist.com> <detomaso at server.detomasolist.com>
   Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Straightening Radiator Condenser Fins

   Indeed Julian, The Shadow incident happened right in front of our
   Paddock.  Although, at the time of the incident, we were playing
   spectator at Firemans Hill.
   Day 1, I had a formula 5000 crash seconds before me in the Kink.
   Unfortunately, he is still hospitalized and in a coma with shattered
   legs.  A real mess when I drove through. He had just passed me up the
   hill before turn 6.
   For those less familiar.  The Kink is a curve on the back straight that
   is a test of courage and can be taken quite fast with lots of
   g-loading.  However due to space limitations because of a RR right of
   way, adequate safety runoff is non-existent.
   Rob Pink and I made the two day drive from Houston. We had our own
   issues at the track and still had a grand time.  My challenges included
   leaving the track at 105 MPH at turn 14 and a spark plug wire coming
   off in the main event.
   The weekend was made possible thanks to Tom and Dena Shinrock.  Our
   normal crew was unavailable to assist and they agreed to support our
   effort over the four days.  I had ran into Tom and Dena at the Event
   last year and Tom had been attending as a spectator for 30yrs.  I
   reached out to them seeking their assist and thankfully, they welcomed
   the opportunity.  Tom got put through the paces. But, I think he
   enjoyed the new perspective.  Only wish we could have made him more
   proud with better performances.
   JT
   On Sun, Aug 2, 2020 at 3:04 PM Julian Kift <[1]julian_kift at hotmail.com>
   wrote:

   Quite the trek to RA from Houston! I hope you had fun! Was that the
   Vintage weekend with the Shadow cars reunion where Jim Pace had a blow
   over in the DN-4?
   Julian
     __________________________________________________________________

   From: DeTomaso <[2]detomaso-bounces at server.detomasolist.com> on behalf
   of John Taphorn <[3]johnftaphorn at gmail.com>
   Sent: Sunday, August 2, 2020 6:11 AM
   To: Charles Engles <[4]cengles at cox.net>
   Cc: <[5]detomaso at server.detomasolist.com>
   <[6]detomaso at server.detomasolist.com>
   Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Straightening Radiator Condenser Fins

   I think so and perform the task routinely on my cars when the rad is
   out.
   It is an exercise of patience.  I find the best tool to be a small
   screwdriver or pick.  The rakes generally do not work on new radiators
   as
   the coolant passages come out to the surface and the fins run
   perpendicular.  You will also develop technique before long on how to
   best
   manipulate the stretched fins back into shape for max air flow.
   I put my formula car in a gravel trap at Road America last weekend and
   had
   the opportunity for about one hour of zen meditation while
   straightening stone flattened fins. At least I tell myself it makes for
   an
   improvement.
   Patience grasshopper.
   Mike, As an engineer, you probably have what it takes
   JT
   On Sat, Aug 1, 2020 at 5:47 PM Charles Engles <[7]cengles at cox.net>
   wrote:
   > Dear Mike,
   >
   >             I have had a conventional tool to straighten the radiator
   fins
   > for years and I have used it a handful of times.  It does not produce
   a
   > "like new" result, but it does reduce the "dent" in the fins and
   preserves
   > a
   > bit more function.
   >
   >                         Warmest regards, Chuck Engles
   >
   >
   >
   >
   > -----Original Message-----
   > From: DeTomaso [[8]mailto:detomaso-bounces at server.detomasolist.com]
   On Behalf
   > Of Mike & Elizabeth
   > Sent: Saturday, August 01, 2020 4:06 PM
   > To: [9]detomaso at server.detomasolist.com
   > Subject: [DeTomaso] Straightening Radiator Condenser Fins
   >
   > After 15 years knocking around up in my garage attic, the fins on the
   back
   > of my stock radiator condenser have become quite mashed.  Is it worth
   > trying
   > to straighten them out?  I've ordered a rad fin straightening tool
   from
   > Amazon but not sure if it will work that well.
   >
   >
   >
   > Thanks, Mike T.
   >
   >
   > _______________________________________________
   >
   >
   > Detomaso Email List is not managed by POCA
   > Posted emails must not exceed 1.5 Megabytes
   > DeTomaso mailing list
   > [10]DeTomaso at server.detomasolist.com
   > [11]http://server.detomasolist.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso
   >
   > To manage your subscription (change email address, unsubscribe, etc.)
   use
   > the links above.
   >
   > Members who post to this list grant license to the list to forward
   any
   > message posted here to all past, current, or future members of the
   list.
   > They also grant the list owner permission to maintain an archive or
   approve
   > the archiving of list messages.
   >

References

   1. mailto:julian_kift at hotmail.com
   2. mailto:detomaso-bounces at server.detomasolist.com
   3. mailto:johnftaphorn at gmail.com
   4. mailto:cengles at cox.net
   5. mailto:detomaso at server.detomasolist.com
   6. mailto:detomaso at server.detomasolist.com
   7. mailto:cengles at cox.net
   8. mailto:detomaso-bounces at server.detomasolist.com
   9. mailto:detomaso at server.detomasolist.com
  10. mailto:DeTomaso at server.detomasolist.com
  11. http://server.detomasolist.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso


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