[W126 Coupe] radiator air flow.

[Andres J Homeyer]

Simple question---have any of you removed the 2 country horns from the front 
of the radiator and remounted them below the car? Over 2/3ds of the radiator 
area is taken up/covered by the A/C aux. fan. When it is not operating it 
does a good job of partially blocking full unimpeded air flow to the 
radiator. I am not one that particularly likes air conditioning and very 
seldom use it: besides not running the A/C comp. does help in gas mileage.

On Fathers day I went to the MB Club car show in Albuquerque NM. I live a 
little south of Alamogordo NM. The outside temp was in the 95 to 100 F 
range. Engine temp ran between 82 or 3 and would move up to maybe 90 on long 
up hill pulls and then back to the low 80s going down the hill---no A/C all 
4 windows down about 3 inches and the sun roof up in back---got 18.66 mpg 
driving at 5 miles over all the speed limits. On the way back it was hotter 
about 100 to 105 F all the way.  Engine temps ran from 85 C to as high as 95 
or 7. Long up hill pulls it got to the 95-7 range and then down the other 
side back to mid 80. Unfortunately or maybe fortunately I had a close call 
with the Highway Patrol so the last 8o miles were driven at the speed limit. 
it was mostly 105 F out. Same ventilation as going up. Got 19.33 mpg. These 
mileages I feel are pretty good when premium gas was between 4.01 and 
4.12/gal; yes I know most all of you are paying a lot more.

That is history behind why I ask about anyone having moved the horns for 
better air flow.

The area to the passengers side of the radiator is approx. 110 sq. inches in 
size. The 2 horns are 25 sq. inches in area, thereby taking up/blocking 25% 
of the radiator area. That is not an insignificant area. Moving those 2 
horns down under the front of the car near the town horns in no big deal, 
just some screws and nuts and adding wiring to reach them. Logic would say 
there should be significant extra cooling available by removing any air flow 
blockage.

I have a set of Flexlite dual 12 inch fans but have put off installing them. 
I ran them on the bench and they are somewhat loud. Probably not really 
noticeable at hwy speeds but I'll bet they sure will be noisy in stop and go 
traffic. Granted it is safe for the engine to operate at 100 C or slightly 
above but I don't like that idea.

The other question is how can I rewire the A/C fan wires at the fan and 
install a manual on/of switch in the car. This would let me have voluntary 
control over using the A/C fan for extra cooling.

Andy H
'91 560 SEC
79 280 TE
72 bug, my daily driver