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Need help with shroud for a champion radiator!! #2785995
06/16/20 12:22 PM
06/16/20 12:22 PM
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1
Michigan
C
Chally1971 Offline OP
member
Chally1971  Offline OP
member
C

Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1
Michigan
I have a 71 Challenger with a 26” 3 core champion radiator. When I bolt the OEM shroud to the radiator it leaves a 1” gap. From what I’ve seen and heard you also want your clutch fan to stick out half way to help cool the car down more. Is there an aftermarket shroud I could buy to help fit better on the radiator or would I be better off having to buy a new radiator. The car stays around 195 degrees now but kinda worry’s me in traffic. Any help would be great!

image.jpg
Re: Need help with shroud for a champion radiator!! [Re: Chally1971] #2786044
06/16/20 02:49 PM
06/16/20 02:49 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,763
A collage of whims
topside Offline
Too Many Posts
topside  Offline
Too Many Posts

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,763
A collage of whims
A 1" gap where ? I can see the shroud is standing off the radiator, and can't see the fan, which I assume is buried in the shroud.
Yes, 1/2 way is optimum, but likely not 15 degrees' worth.
Options:
Modify your existing shroud to fit the radiator closely, which will also improve fan/shroud positioning.
Find another shroud that's shallower - junkyard or universal-type.
Speed up the water pump & fan with a smaller pulley.
Also, you can cut back on the anti-freeze to 25-30% in most climates.
(This assumes good condition, proper tune)

Re: Need help with shroud for a champion radiator!! [Re: topside] #2786052
06/16/20 03:16 PM
06/16/20 03:16 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,720
Moved to N.E. Tennessee
GomangoCuda Offline
master
GomangoCuda  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,720
Moved to N.E. Tennessee
Looks like aftermarket aluminum pulleys. Is the water pump being under driven?
What fan are you using? Oem or aftermarket? Clutch fan? Flex fan?

EDIT - On rereading your post I see you mentioned clutch fan.

Last edited by GomangoCuda; 06/17/20 10:31 AM.

In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is.
Re: Need help with shroud for a champion radiator!! [Re: Chally1971] #2786065
06/16/20 04:03 PM
06/16/20 04:03 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,020
Andrews,In. U.S.of A.
6
67_Satellite Offline
super stock
67_Satellite  Offline
super stock
6

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,020
Andrews,In. U.S.of A.
I have the same radiator and a factory shroud in my Satellite. I cut some quarter round "filler strips" from black closed cell water pipe insulation, and glued them in with weather strip adhesive. Take your time and it will look pretty good and seal the gaps.

Re: Need help with shroud for a champion radiator!! [Re: 67_Satellite] #2786167
06/16/20 10:14 PM
06/16/20 10:14 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,042
Leucadia, Ca.
V
vdriver Offline
top fuel
vdriver  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,042
Leucadia, Ca.
I had the exact same issue with my '70 Duster 360 combo, and just took care of it yesterday.

I went to Home Depot and got a black cement mixing tub for about $5. The plastic it's made of is flexible enough that it follows the upper curve of the shroud easily. I cut a strip wide enough and long enough to cover the gap end to end. Screwed it down into the shroud with some stainless machine screws. This left a very small (1/8") second gap due to the weld along the top of the radiator, so I cut another strip to cover that. Probably could have left that little gap alone but it bugged me so I covered it. The pics tell the story. Obviously not a show car or factory restoration.

ShroudGap.jpgShroudTub.jpgShroudStrip.jpgShroudFixed.jpg
Last edited by vdriver; 06/16/20 10:21 PM.
Re: Need help with shroud for a champion radiator!! [Re: vdriver] #2786275
06/17/20 09:42 AM
06/17/20 09:42 AM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 145
Ohio
shinysidup Offline
member
shinysidup  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 145
Ohio

Here's my solution for the same problem on my Cuda with
the same 26" Champion. If you look at the bottom of the photo
you can see a side profile of the material I used.

2020-06-17 09.36.39.jpg
Re: Need help with shroud for a champion radiator!! [Re: Chally1971] #2786287
06/17/20 10:23 AM
06/17/20 10:23 AM
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 141
Missouri
R
randavis Offline
member
randavis  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 141
Missouri
I used some aluminum angle and used rivets to attach it.

IMG_1397.JPGIMG_1398.JPG

74 Challenger, bought it new. In 1978 I replaced the original 318 with a 446 and 727. Mild cam, Jardine headers, and Holley Sniper EFI.
New engine! 511" RB, Edelbrock Performer RPM heads, Eagle rotating assy, Comp hyd roller cam, Doug's 2" headers.






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