battery box obstructing air flow on 71 chassis with warmed over 3 liter

[maspirito]

I have a 71 that has a warmed over 3liter engine with PMOs and 9.5 pistons. I was wondering what the collective wisdom is regarding the cooling needs with regards to this engine in light of the fact that the battery box looks to me like it will interfere with the air flow. I was considering cutting a vent hole in the bumper, but that hole would basically line up with the battery box? I suppose
I could fit a fan on the oil cooler if needed, but would rather not do that if the cooler alone is likely to be adequate?

[Flunder]

Try fabricating a duct from sheet alu to block off the area along the bottom of the fender so that the air coming in from the horn grill goes to the cooler and doesn't spill out the bottom. If that proves insufficient, cut ST style vertical slots in the front bumper to get more airflow.

[edmayo]

I got two 72 S's with original coolers and both have the battery boxes. Even in Texas summer heat or driving across the Mojave I've never had an overheat problem, i.e. rarely over 200, maybe 210 at a D.E. and once got to 220 stuck in Dallas 100 degree traffic jam. The important part is that louvered panel behind the cooler, sealed to the fender ALL the air must go thru the cooler, can't go around it, and the louvers create a low pressure area from air movement created by the wheel rotation, helping to draw the air thru the cooler. A fan is good when sitting still, but otherwise blocks air movement. I'd suggest using the car first to see if you really can drive that hard enough on the street to get it too hot. You also need to make sure the engine thermostat is opening all the way to ensure that the engine mounted cooler is doing its share of the cooling.

[maspirito]

Thanks, that is the info that I need , appreciate the response !