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does taking the skid plate off make a difference in operating tempature?

are you talking about the plastic piece that bolts to the front bumper underneath? I took that off mine becaue it's harder to line up the jack underneath, I haven't noticed any difference in temps.
 
As outlined by Ford, and on here, it increases the low-pressure above it therefore increasing airflow THROUGH the radiator, instead of hitting it and going around it, etc.
 
98TredSVT said:
are you talking about the plastic piece that bolts to the front bumper underneath? I took that off mine becaue it's harder to line up the jack underneath, I haven't noticed any difference in temps.
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ok we`ll everyone is telling me that it helps channel air throught the radiator!
 
BoSoxBruin said:
From what I have read around here, yes it will... Apparently it helps channel air up to the radiator...
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we`ll im getting yes and no`s and i need a definent answer i got under neath my car 98 svt contour and it looked to me like all it did was cover the radiator not channel air through it so can you please explain to me how this works!
 
Why do you want to take it off so badly, LOL...


PS: Not to hijack a thread or anything, but since we are on this subject...

Ok, there is a plastic lip on the back side (twords center of car) of the fiberboad sheet which is bolted on along with the fiberboard sheet... Is the plastic lip supposed to run all the way across? Mine is only on the drivers side of the fiberboard sheet which I think is odd...
 
BoSoxBruin said:
Why do you want to take it off so badly, LOL...


PS: Not to hijack a thread or anything, but since we are on this subject...

Ok, there is a plastic lip on the back side (twords center of car) of the fiberboad sheet which is bolted on along with the fiberboard sheet... Is the plastic lip supposed to run all the way across? Mine is only on the drivers side of the fiberboard sheet which I think is odd...
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yes it supposed to run all the way accross
 
the shape of the deflector (note, the name is DEFLECTOR.. not... "cover-er" or "bumper bottom liner" etc) acts in the same manner as an airplane wing. the surface shape and curvature causes air moving ABOVE the deflector to move at a faster speed than air below it. This faster movement causes a low-pressure area above the plastic and a high pressure (comparatively) zone below the deflector. This helps channel air THROUGH a radiator, instead of the natural tendency for air molecules to hit the radiator and "wrap" around it, like it would when it hits a brick wall.

Because the radiator is more dense than the open area underneath/beside the car, the area must be helped in any means possible to increase airflow through the fins. This is the reported purpose of the deflector.


Now, have people removed theirs? sure.. seen an increase? maybe not. does that mean it didn't work anyway? nope. colder ambient temps help improve cooling, so does denser air (versus high altitudes.. lower atmospheric pressures means that water boils at a lower temperature). Of course, this is a sealed system, but the theory remains: there are MANY MANY variables to influence how well a cooling system works.. the deflector isn't the ONLY thing that makes it cool, but it is a very useful PART of an equation you NEED.
 
I'm thinking this was one of the "decontent" items that start mid-stream in 98 models. I bought a used 98 LS built 08/98 year & half ago, the owner who bought it new for his grandmother work for a Ford dealer at the time said It didn't come with one.
You should have seen how dirty the engine compartent was, I ordered a new because junk ones where damage heavily. Have had to put it on the road yet my 98 built 07/97 came with the deflector it definitely keeps the engine compartent almost spotless.
 
F111D F said:
I'm thinking this was one of the "decontent" items that start mid-stream in 98 models. I bought a used 98 LS built 08/98 year & half ago, the owner who bought it new for his grandmother work for a Ford dealer at the time said It didn't come with one.
You should have seen how dirty the engine compartent was, I ordered a new because junk ones where damage heavily. Have had to put it on the road yet my 98 built 07/97 came with the deflector it definitely keeps the engine compartent almost spotless.
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yes this was something that was decontented. it seems all pre98s and SVTs have a deflector but post 98s don't
 
Tony2005 said:
Lower radiator air deflector.
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svtcontour666 said:
yes thats what i am talking about but can you explain to me how this works and should i put it back on
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Ray and others have explained how it works. Now, put it back on. While it might not be noticeable as to the performance of the engine (with or without the deflector), you'll always wonder if that was the reason why your car overheated if you don't have it on.;)
 
Maybe not as you are assuming...

like I said, there are a TON of variables.. any of which can fail to cause overheating.

a failing waterpump with DECREASED flow would last LONGER with the deflector on.

remove the deflector and then have a WP start losing its ability to flow, your car overheats much faster. Was it caused by the deflector? not 100%, but it helped... more/less than you think, maybe?
 
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