Cooling flaps question

[Speedo959]

While cleaning out the glove box I found the two small flaps that go on the fan shroud. It seems I forgot to put them back on while doing my rebuild. What do they do? I remember the pins falling out and making a mental note to fix it, but just forgot. Thanks

[Ron Meier]

They are "anti-return" flaps that go in each outlet of the blower housing. Pretty easy to reinstall after you remove the guides attached.

[Kevin Powers]

i thought they dumped hot air when the flapper boxes were closed, sort of a pressure relief device.

kevin

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

To be more explicit--

These flaps go on the two outlets on the bottom of the fan shroud, the ones that push air into the "S-ducts" which go to the heat exchangers. They are there to keep warm air from getting pushed back into the fan shroud. (Very unlikely unless you are at idle with the heater blower on.)

The pins, as far as I can tell, just slide in with nothing to retain them except the "cover" of the S-duct. On my car, one of the mounting bosses is broken.

--DD

[Speedo959]

So really they are nothing critical as far as cooling goes? I won't worry about it then since I don't have a blower motor installed. I recall now whyI didn't put them back, I lost the little pins that held them in place. I guess I could find a nail and with a little trimming make that work. Thanks guys.

[Kevin Powers]

even though they don't seal tight i should think they still would help keep moisture and dust out.if you can why not just put them back on? or a long skinny cotter key.

[Speedo959]

Yeah that's an idea. Got it up in the air now replacing the clutch cable. Lots of maintnance to do. I am putting almost 120 miles a day on the thing.

[Jake Raby]

They also keep rodents from making a home in your fan shroud and melting the engine...

[JWest]

I bet Jake has an example on his trophy shelf to prove that one!