Page 12
Installation and Maintenance Manual form 185
4.0
FORMING THE GRIDCOOLER® KEEL COOLER
BENDING A GRIDCOOLER KEEL COOLER
When bending a cooler in a press, support the cooler from
underneath with wood blocking across the entire width of
the unit. Blocking is also placed on top of the cooler, centrally
located between the wood blocking underneath the cooler.
The location of the wood blocking on the top of the cooler
will determine the location of the bend. Since this method
of bending exerts pressure on only a small area, the cooler
will need to be repositioned multiple times to produce an
even bend over the length of the cooler. Care must be taken
to ensure that the unit is not bent too far at any one point.
A tape measure or other measuring instrument, along with
a template of the hull profile can be used to measure your
progress. See Figures 20 and 21.
TWISTING A GRIDCOOLER KEEL COOLER
To produce a twist, first fabricate a hook onto the end of a
short length of pipe using barstock. Hook this bar across the
header as close to the nipple or stud as possible. The cooler
may be secured in a press or placed on sawhorses with a
person at each end. By placing your weight on the end of
the pipe, you can produce a twist in the cooler. See Figures
22 and 23.
NOTE:
Do Not Bend greater than 1” (25 mm) over
12” (305 mm) of cooler length. Do Not Twist
beyond 1° over 12” (305 mm) of cooler length.
Do Not Tension Bend the keel cooler.
FIG.20 Creating a bend in a cooler using a
hydraulic press
FIG.21 Creating a bend in a cooler using a
hydraulic press
FIG.23 Carefully apply downward force to
impart a twist in the cooler
FIG.22 Locate twisting hook as close as
possible to the nozzle or stud
