Very Early 1968 Cooling System Resto

[Rick L.]

I have a very early (VIN# 329) 1968 427/400 L68 non A/C car. I am getting ready to restore the cooling system. I have seen the posts about the changes made during the model run to improve cooling, and my car would be a candidate for all of them, but I like to keep things stock, although I'll never have the car judged. My car does have the handcut slots in the lower valence. Am I asking for trouble if I restore the car with the correct early cooling parts?

Thanks,
Rick L.

[Terry B.]

Re: Very Early 1968 Cooling System Resto

Hi Rick,

I see no one has replied to you. This will at least bring you back to the top.

Perhaps you should give a little more information about what cooling parts you are considering reusing. If it is the original 43+ year old radiator, probably not. What are some of the changes you are considering to do with the cooling system?

Thanks,

Terry

[Rick L.]

Re: Very Early 1968 Cooling System Resto

At this point I do not know what may be original/correct or not. I am fairly certain the fan shroud is for a small block. I'm really just concerned that if I hunt down and install the correct early cooling parts I am going to have a car that overheats. The car overheats now at idle, but I know there are things missing like the seals, so I have to do something.

[Jim T.]

Re: Very Early 1968 Cooling System Resto

At this point I do not know what may be original/correct or not. I am fairly certain the fan shroud is for a small block. I'm really just concerned that if I hunt down and install the correct early cooling parts I am going to have a car that overheats. The car overheats now at idle, but I know there are things missing like the seals, so I have to do something.

My original owner 68 327/350 has a steel fan shroud and came with a aluminum radiator and surge tank. Your overheat problem at idle could be from the lack of having 100% full time operating vacuum advance.

[Wayne W.]

Re: Very Early 1968 Cooling System Resto

I can understand the pain of deciding just what to do on a `68. It would depend on my desire to retain the stock original configurtion for judging. The early BB 68s had the small aluminum radiators and the metal shrouds. There were several changes and modifications done throughout the year obviously to solve heating problems. Later cars, with options, were fitted with the larger brass/copper radiators and fiberglass shrouds. Certainly this was an improvement.

So, if I was not so concerned with judging, I would fit mine with the larger radiator set up with the fiberglass shroud, and even possibility an aluminum replacement one at that.

[Rick L.]

Re: Very Early 1968 Cooling System Resto

Thanks for the reply, Wayne. I am leaning in the direction of going with the later, "improved", cooling system parts. They'll be easier to find, will work better (hopefully) and will still be stock.

[James H.]

Re: Very Early 1968 Cooling System Resto

Rick,
I think our cars were assembled on the same day. I have Vin #320 and is also a 400hp non AC convertible. Bronze w Tobacco interior. Not my favorite combination but special to me.
Last spring I had my radiator rebuilt reusing the original copper side tanks. I then stuffed foam strips between the radiator and metal shroud(not fiberglass).
I was also missing the rubber seal that goes up to the hood. That one wasn't cheap, no after markets for those parts.
Now it only gets close to overheating if I'm sitting still in 85* plus degree days.
Rick, did your car come with an air deflector installed just behind the hand cut outs?? I too have the hand cut outs but no evidence of screw holes that once attached a deflector. I bought one but never installed it.
Good luck,
Jim

[Rick L.]

Re: Very Early 1968 Cooling System Resto

Rick,
I think our cars were assembled on the same day. I have Vin #320 and is also a 400hp non AC convertible. Bronze w Tobacco interior. Not my favorite combination but special to me.
Last spring I had my radiator rebuilt reusing the original copper side tanks. I then stuffed foam strips between the radiator and metal shroud(not fiberglass).
I was also missing the rubber seal that goes up to the hood. That one wasn't cheap, no after markets for those parts.
Now it only gets close to overheating if I'm sitting still in 85* plus degree days.
Rick, did your car come with an air deflector installed just behind the hand cut outs?? I too have the hand cut outs but no evidence of screw holes that once attached a deflector. I bought one but never installed it.
Good luck,
Jim

Thanks for the reply Jim. So you are using the metal shroud? My problem is I am in South Florida and lower 90's is the norm in the summer. I did not know about the deflector, but mine doesn't have it. I'll have to check for any screw holes when I get the car out of storage to start this project.

[Robert M.]

Re: Very Early 1968 Cooling System Resto

hi Rick; I have a DeWitt direct fit big block radiator that is in mint shape and the proper BB fiber glass fan shroud. e-mail me @ tulaandbob@g-mail.com if your interested.