My new Wizard Cooling Radiator- 68 Barracuda

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rob_robinson87

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I just had my Barracuda radiator delivered! The first one I ordered from their latest catalog (part# 1639) didn't fit (bottom tank too deep), so I happened to stumble on an old website where they had a different radiator photograph that matched my stock radiator size. After a couple of phone calls, the guys at Wizard Cooling sent me their drawings of their #1637 radiator (22" like the other one) but with the smaller bottom tank. They asked me to compare the measurements to my original radiator and correct whatever needed to be fixed. The only issue was the size and location of the bottom return - mine has 1.5 upper and lower returns. They took my information and built me a new one- with the larger cores. This thing is a horse! I sat it in place temporarily to make sure it fit and it does!

I need to get the fittings for the tranny cooler. It also allows my original shroud to be used, however, I'm going to have to see if I can make some sort of rubber filler strip at the top since the top of their radiator doesn't overhang like the original top tank does. I think I can attach a rubber strip of some sort that won't damage my original shroud. I'll post more on that as I come up with something.

Here are a few photos showing the difference between my stock 318 radiator and the new one!
radiator1.jpg


radiator2.jpg

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I'm going to hold on to my original radiator. At some point I may build another Barracuda (I would love to have a daily driver convertible) or put it back in my car if needed. I have some time and money in the original one and I'm not ready to let it go quite yet. Still works pretty good.
 
Matt at wizard did a few for guys I know, all fit like a glove.One was super outragious for a blown big block Chevelle with a tilt front end.The owner always had cooling issues before.Wizard made it with all the fittings and brackets to mount to the tube front end and outfitted it with 6 electric fans set with 2 thermostats to control 3 low 3 high all together pulling only 27 amps with all 6 running.Looked wild and worked even better.
 
Update! I decided I didn't like the way the original shroud looked on the car, so I ordered their shroud that goes with this radiator. I also purchased one of those stainless overflow tanks (I think mine is 2 inches by 15 inches). It fits in the corner of the radiator pretty well. I highly recommend this radiator!
radiatorshroud3.jpg

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radiatorshroud5.jpg
 
I sent in a couple radiators to wizard for my buddies 50 merc! they copied the dimension and sent back same rad but all aluminum! If you unsure of anything just ship you rad to them.
 
For a 67? Kinda... a 67's upper hose was slightly more center than the 68-69. Of course the easy fix would be to us a 68 upper hose.
 
Update! I decided I didn't like the way the original shroud looked on the car, so I ordered their shroud that goes with this radiator. I also purchased one of those stainless overflow tanks (I think mine is 2 inches by 15 inches). It fits in the corner of the radiator pretty well. I highly recommend this radiator!
radiatorshroud3.jpg

radiatorshroud4.jpg

radiatorshroud5.jpg


Very nice looking Cuda by the way! I like that radiator and just curious about the fit / look of the original shroud.

Can you elaborate?
 
The original radiator tank design overhangs on the fan side of the radiator by about 3/4". The original shroud bolted up fine to the aluminum radiator and would have functioned properly, but it left a 3/4" gap on the top since it was designed to work with that overhang I mentioned. The aluminum radiator is much more a straight sided tank. Plus the black kinda stood out too much.
 
Looks great! This should be the same radiator for a 69 Dart right? I've been looking into aluminum rad's for my Dart, the stock rad isn't keeping it cool. I would like a direct fit radiator that will handle the 530 hp motor.

Thanks
 
here is mine from wizard. What did you use for tranny line adaptors? Part #?
 

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Went to my local autoparts store and found the correct fitting. Found a bolt that screwed in the radiator (for size purposes) and took one of the fittings out of the old radiator (for the tranny line size). Had a bunch in the back that worked. It is just a little brass screw-in adapter. Get some liquid teflon while you are at it. Best purchase I made with all the little fittings that I was having to install for the radiator, fuel-pressure regulator, and exhaust bolts. Doesn't clog lines and is gasoline and antifreeze safe.
 
I just wanted to add that you have one of the cleanest engine bays that I think I have ever seen. The whole thing is VERY well executed! Hope it runs even better than it looks!
 
Thank you! I actually got to drive it a little bit today. Still working out bugs such as fuel boiling in the fuel filter. I don't have any sort of insulator gasket between the intake and the edelbrock carb, so I'm trying that first. Next is to upgrade the 5/16 inch line from tank to mechanical pump (3/8"? or 1/2"?). Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm already running fuel injector hose instead of hard lines in the engine bay.
 
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