Champion Radiator and Stock Fan Shroud Issues. Ideas Please
#2547426
09/07/18 11:48 PM
09/07/18 11:48 PM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,938 Spokane Valley, WA
Big Bad Bee
OP
I Live Here
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OP
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Joined: Dec 2003
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Spokane Valley, WA
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So, about 4 years ago I bought a 3 core Champion 26" replacement radiator for my '70 Superbee. It took a tiny bit of massaging to the brackets, but it mounted to the core support just fine. Now that the car is finished, my 440 is running hot, so I ordered a factory fan shroud thinking that since the radiator fit the firewall, the shroud would bolt right up. Indeed it did. One issue. The L brackets that you screw it into pull the shroud back about 3/4" from the face of the radiator. It's fine on the sides, but it leaves a gap at the top and bottom. Not too sure what brain surgeon figured out this would be okay. So the 1970 shroud has an odd design. On the top hump where it is supposed to touch the rear face of the radiator there are these gaps all along the curved area (see photo). Not sure what they are for. Venting? The definitely don't line up with the grooves in the old core. So I have this gap at the top and bottom that looks ridiculous. What did you do to adapt yours to the stock shroud? Now that I have 100 bones tied up in this beautiful Classic Industries OEM shroud, I ain't going to order tin. If you sell these radiators or have fixed your problem WITH THE STOCK SHROUD, or if you think you are awesome and have a good idea BESIDES ORDERING TIN, please step up to the plate and tell me what you would do. The first picture is of an OEM setup and the second picture is my debacle. Lindy
Last edited by Big Bad Bee; 09/10/18 05:06 AM.
I’m listening.
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Re: Champion Radiator and Stock Fan Shroud Issues. Ideas Please
[Re: Morty426]
#2547445
09/08/18 12:58 AM
09/08/18 12:58 AM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 954 garnett kansas
rhad
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 954
garnett kansas
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have the side brackets modified so they set closer to the core
my ladder of success is missing some rungs
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Re: Champion Radiator and Stock Fan Shroud Issues. Ideas Please
[Re: Big Bad Bee]
#2547469
09/08/18 02:42 AM
09/08/18 02:42 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,811 North Dakota
Azzkikrcuda
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,811
North Dakota
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Have the same setup and problem. I got some 1 inch thick black foam from Lowes and put it in the gap. Works and looks ok. Comes in a roll and has adhesive on one side.
The only Carbs I care about are under the hood!
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Re: Champion Radiator and Stock Fan Shroud Issues. Ideas Please
[Re: Azzkikrcuda]
#2547472
09/08/18 02:55 AM
09/08/18 02:55 AM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,938 Spokane Valley, WA
Big Bad Bee
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I Live Here
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OP
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Spokane Valley, WA
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Have the same setup and problem. I got some 1 inch thick black foam from Lowes and put it in the gap. Works and looks ok. Comes in a roll and has adhesive on one side. Got any photos? I'm all about the Lowes fix! I actually purchased some aluminum plate to fill the gap with but shaping it will be time consuming. I'd like to see what you've done.
I’m listening.
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Re: Champion Radiator and Stock Fan Shroud Issues. Ideas Please
[Re: Big Bad Bee]
#2547491
09/08/18 08:17 AM
09/08/18 08:17 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,494 Western Colorado High Desert
moparmarks
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I Live Here
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Posts: 12,494
Western Colorado High Desert
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I can see the pics. Wow Champion must have fixed that problem. I've used a few of the radiators as of late including a 70 B 26" and they didn't have that gap.
72 Satellite Sebring Plus 440, 72 Dart 5.9 4-spd, 68 Valiant, 73 W200, 78 D100 sb, 78 D200, 98 DAKOTA, . Moparmarks Parts & Restorations Desert Mopar Metal Grand Jct. CO 970-261-7039 http://moparmark.com/motormangj@gmail.com
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Re: Champion Radiator and Stock Fan Shroud Issues. Ideas Please
[Re: Big Bad Bee]
#2547554
09/08/18 12:22 PM
09/08/18 12:22 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,613 md
mopars4ever
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I Live Here
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Its amazing how people love to spend other people's money..... which is fine if you are independently rich. grin I Agree. I would cut off the aluminum brackets and make some like in the above post or cut them off and have them welded closer to the radiator.
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Re: Champion Radiator and Stock Fan Shroud Issues. Ideas Please
[Re: Big Bad Bee]
#2547613
09/08/18 02:18 PM
09/08/18 02:18 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 42,714 Spokane Washington
ScottSmith_Harms
Mr Wizzard
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Mr Wizzard
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 42,714
Spokane Washington
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Its amazing how people love to spend other people's money..... which is fine if you are independently rich. grin Hey, I'm not spending anyone's money, only offering ideas & suggestions (see title of thread). *Champion's have thier place, I just bought one for my test engine. I've seen Lindy's car, it's nice and mostly original looking and IMO (I am allowed to offer MY opinion right?) he should go with a stock one.
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Re: Champion Radiator and Stock Fan Shroud Issues. Ideas Please
[Re: ScottSmith_Harms]
#2547626
09/08/18 03:22 PM
09/08/18 03:22 PM
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 348 Texas Hill Country
Centerline
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 348
Texas Hill Country
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Its amazing how people love to spend other people's money..... which is fine if you are independently rich. grin Hey, I'm not spending anyone's money, only offering ideas & suggestions (see title of thread). I wasn't picking on you. There have been others who suggested replacing his radiator too. Just saying that its easy for someone... anyone to suggest spending tons of money to fix a simple problem. By the way... nice looking early hemi.
Centerline 64 Dodge Polara 426 Street Wedge - For when I want to go fast 99 Corvette Z-06 - For when I want to turn corners
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Re: Champion Radiator and Stock Fan Shroud Issues. Ideas Please
[Re: Big Bad Bee]
#2547629
09/08/18 03:32 PM
09/08/18 03:32 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 14,889 up yours
Supercuda
About to go away
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About to go away
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 14,889
up yours
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The problem is the radiator. Not the shroud.
It's running hot.
Wonder why?
It's a "Champion".
'Nuff said.
They say there are no such thing as a stupid question. They say there is always the exception that proves the rule. Don't be the exception.
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Re: Champion Radiator and Stock Fan Shroud Issues. Ideas Please
[Re: Supercuda]
#2547721
09/08/18 10:23 PM
09/08/18 10:23 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,107 Massillon, Ohio
cudatom
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,107
Massillon, Ohio
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The problem is the radiator. Not the shroud.
It's running hot.
Wonder why?
It's a "Champion".
'Nuff said. Doubt its the radiator alone. I run a Champion 3 core in my 512 never gets over 185. I run the same shroud w/a derale mech race fan. Didn't worry about the gap. I've driven it on the street and hot lapped it at the track in low to mid 90 degree days
Ok
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Re: Champion Radiator and Stock Fan Shroud Issues. Ideas Please
[Re: cudatom]
#2547722
09/08/18 10:27 PM
09/08/18 10:27 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,494 Western Colorado High Desert
moparmarks
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,494
Western Colorado High Desert
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The problem is the radiator. Not the shroud.
It's running hot.
Wonder why?
It's a "Champion".
'Nuff said. Doubt its the radiator alone. I run a Champion 3 core in my 512 never gets over 185. I run the same shroud w/a derale mech race fan. Didn't worry about the gap. I've driven it on the street and hot lapped it at the track in low to mid 90 degree days Same here. Haven't had any cooling issues with a few Champions. I agree that his is probably another issue.
72 Satellite Sebring Plus 440, 72 Dart 5.9 4-spd, 68 Valiant, 73 W200, 78 D100 sb, 78 D200, 98 DAKOTA, . Moparmarks Parts & Restorations Desert Mopar Metal Grand Jct. CO 970-261-7039 http://moparmark.com/motormangj@gmail.com
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Re: Champion Radiator and Stock Fan Shroud Issues. Ideas Please
[Re: moparmarks]
#2548174
09/09/18 11:57 PM
09/09/18 11:57 PM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,938 Spokane Valley, WA
Big Bad Bee
OP
I Live Here
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OP
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Hey guys, thank you for all the great suggestions here. I think I’m going to just try to The top and bottom with a piece of sheet aluminum or the foam like was suggested for now. I’ve worked hard enough on the engine compartment that I don’t want it to look goofy. Scott, I really do want to get an OEM radiator but it’s going to have to be on the back burner for a couple years. It’s kind of crummy. I had a 26 inch radiator out of a 70 fury but I missed placed it while moving. It was in perfect shape too! Champion radiators actually get pretty good reviews for Performance. They just look like heck. The welds are good but they treat the fins like crap on their assembly line. It is running hot but I think the reason it is, is because of the pump. I bought an aluminum water pump off eBay and I think it’s probably either spinning backwards or it’s just a piece of crap! But I thought if I could get them shroud on there maybe it would correct the problem enough to where I can enjoy the car instead of letting it sit.
I’m listening.
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