'68 fan shroud FYI -- a bit of info that might save you some hassles

[bull]

I just thought I'd recount a little story that helped me learn something new about my '68 Charger, for those who might be in the same boat. This particular story is about my quest for a replacement OEM fan shroud; the hard-to-find two-piece metal shroud found on the '68s that mine did not have when I bought it. The latest endeavor all started when a member here mentioned that he had one that he might be willing to let go of in trade for a BB 26" radiator and so I began the search for one of those. I did end up buying one but it turned out to be a SB 26" radiator for a T/A Challenger or AAR Cuda and it wouldn't work for him, which is just fine because it turns out I accidentally paid $100 for a $400 radiator.

Anyway I had always assumed I needed a fan shroud for my 22" radiator, after all, all cars got shrouds back then, right? No. They didn't. I assumed they all did of course and began searching for one and researching those that might work off other cars. I started a thread on Moparts asking about the shrouds in Roadrunners, Furys, Coronets, etc., and a couple guys told me they owned survivor cars (I think it was a pair of Roadrunner owners) and they said their cars never had shrouds. One of them referenced the '68 Repair Manual which says the 383/2bbl/4spd '68 Charger/Coronet never came with a shroud, the same manual that's about 10 inches above my computer monitor. And this was after two trips to the wrecking yard, a few hours spent on the computer and several emails and phone calls to and from those in the know.

The moral of the story: never assume anything, find out if your car ever had it before you decide you need it and check the Repair Manual for the information you might need. You'll be surprised how much info is in that book.

[Telvis]

My 68 Charger 383 2bbl didn't have one.

[bull]

Now you tell me.

[41husk]

I was just going to post on how do I find one and how does it bolt up, my 383 4b does not have one and it has been overheating.  I was told to add a shroud and that would help.  When I said mine diddn,t come with a shroud, I was told they all do.  Still need to fix my overheating problem.

[Magnumcharger]

I was just going to post on how do I find one and how does it bolt up, my 383 4b does not have one and it has been overheating.  I was told to add a shroud and that would help.  When I said mine diddn,t come with a shroud, I was told they all do.  Still need to fix my overheating problem.

I still have one...that I'll trade....

[bull]

Hmmm. And I bet you'd take a BB 26" radiator for it wouldn't you?

[41husk]

I have a extra bb 26" out of a 74 SE that had a 400 in it.  would that work for you?

[Magnumcharger]

Hmmm. And I bet you'd take a BB 26" radiator for it wouldn't you?

Yup!

[Magnumcharger]

I have a extra bb 26" out of a 74 SE that had a 400 in it.  would that work for you?

Nope!

[charge-it]

I need that radiator. What do you need to let it go?

[bull]

I need that radiator. What do you need to let it go?

Are you talking to me or Magnum? My 26" rad is here now if you mean me: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=001&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=110130521137&rd=1,1

[charge-it]

Opps, sorry, I`m looking for a 22" with a metal shroud.

[Magnumcharger]

Opps, sorry, I`m looking for a 22" with a metal shroud.

Would like to trade straight across for a 26" radiator...preferably a 1968 vintage.

[Magnumcharger]

I need that radiator. What do you need to let it go?

Are you talking to me or Magnum? My 26" rad is here now if you mean me: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=001&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=110130521137&rd=1,1

Wow! it's at $400 already!! Way to go!