Best to remove wheelwell plastic skirts?

[e9999]

you know, these little plastic skirt flap things that hang in the wheelwell and are always in the way...

I imagine these are there in part to prevent all sorts of crud to be thrown by the wheels at the engine. May also have something to do with channeling air for cooling the block?

On the other hand, one could perhaps make the case that removing them might increase air flow under the hood.

Anyway, is it best to keep these things there or to remove them? Yes, I know, Mr. T. put them there but maybe that was mostly a compromise to cater to the great washed public rather than to the small unwashed wheeling crowd eh?

waddaya think then?

thanks
E

 

[RavenTai]

leave them, cold water on a hot block/head can crack it, any added cooling would soon be offset by the layer of insulating dirt/dried mud on everything

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I removed the plastic and more. Not to worried about water and mud living in Arizona with 7" rain a year. Better for cooling and great access to PHH and starter.

Phil

 

[wob]

water - no

 

[bjowett]

They do serve a purpose, to keep the crap out. They do pull of easy enough if in the way.

If an increase in airflow is desired, one could probably try removing the sections in back of the shock towers. This will allow the air to flow behind the front wheels - a low pressure area.

 

[Junk]

e, just grab an old fork and take of some prongs. Can use fingers easily enough, but an old fork makes it quick and easy.

 

[firetruck41]

If you're having cooling problems, fix them, no need to pull the skirts, for a pretty stock 80.