Another Mopar Off My Bucket List - Barracuda Fastback

While sitting in the garage I started thinking over the radiator shroud that I'd made for the Barracuda. Although I like the way it looks, the design is flawed.

The replacement radiator I chose after the car got wrecked was a Champion 3? or 4? core. I wanted more coolant capacity and went with aluminum so that it would displace more heat. The thicker core did not allow me enough room to run the stock fan and the factory shroud wouldn't mate with the aftermarket radiator.

So I bought a large diameter electric fan that barely fit between the water pump pulley and the radiator. I thought that a fabricated shroud would help pull air through so I modified a stainless steel one that I'd bought at a swap meet.

Because I'm running Evans waterless coolant I expected the temperature to be warmer than the previous 50/50 mix I had before. It all seemed to be working fine with no surprises.

BUT! - As I said, I got to thinking about my setup and it dawned on me that it's not right.
You see, the electric fan has it's own shroud-like structure surrounding it already and the shroud that I'd built actually blocks off any air from traveling through the radiator except for the fan opening. I created a large dead space everywhere except where the fan is.
:mad:

The way I see it I've got a few options.

1) Use a hole saw to make several holes around the main fan hole that would allow air to pass through. - Stainless is a pain to drill - especially with a hole saw.:(

2)Remove the shroud altogether and run without. - Easy-peezy.:)

3)Check and see if I can trim off the structure that surrounds the electric fan so that it will allow air through from the entire radiator surface. I think I like this choice best but I'm not sure if it'll work until I pull everything apart.:eek: