Hello All,

Here are the facts: I have a 1969 Camaro. I just replaced the radiator. This car has a 350 SBC in it. This car does not have, nor did it come equipped with factory A/C. The radiator is an aluminum radiator which is application specific. I was told it was made by US Radiator. The exact radiator measurements and clearances are as follows.....

Core: 23.5 inches across
Tank to Tank aka End to End: 28.5 inches across
Height from top to bottom: 19.25 inches
Space between Water Pump & Radiator: 8 & 7/8"
Space between pulley bolt on water pump pulley to radiator 5 & 7/8"
Radiator width across the top: 2 & 5/8"


Ok, I have been told an electric fan with a built in shroud is the way to go. I have been looking at the Flex-a-lite Black Magic Extreme. Its FLX-180 at Summit & 400-180 at Jegs. I can not afford the High Torque European Dual Fan Set up which is 134-95007 at Jegs. That is $539.00. The single fan moves more CFM anyway and it about $300 less.

The funny thing with first gen Camaro's is that in 1968 & I assume in 1967 as well you can get the 23" radiator with A/C in a small block. For 1969 the 23" radiatior means you had to have a Big Block, as all small block cars had 21" rad's regardless if they had A/C or not. The only difference for 1969 was 2 core or 3 core if it had A/C for a SBC.

That means if I were to go with the stock shroud I would probably have to use the 1968 shroud w/ A/C which explains why my upper radiator hose for a 23" rad in a 1969 car is a 1968 hose w/ A/C. I had a SBC in my first 1969 Camaro. That car had A/C. Then I went to a BBC & a BBC Radiator and that shroud & fan set up seemed ok until I went with an electric fan; so I am confused. But that was 13-14 years ago and I can't remember what I did 13 minutes ago sometimes.

The questions are as follows:

1) Should I go with the stock 1969 shroud, stock fan clutch & stock fan for BBC in 1969 since I have a BBC Radiator in a SBC car? (The engine was made after 1969)
2) Should I use 1968 stuff for SBC with A/C for my 1969. Looks like that will work too?
3) Or just go with the Flexalite Black Magic Extreme Part # 180 as that will fit the radiator no matter if it's a 350, 6 cyl, or a 396, 427, 454 BBC.

Cost wise I am looking to spend no more than $300. I know some of you are purists and I am to somewhat when it comes to exterior & interior. However under the hood & the drive train I am not a purist so I am ok with any idea you guys may have.

P.S. Before I forget, is there anything I can put on the car to cover up that unsightly gap between the top of the radiator & radiator support?

All Opinions are welcomed!!! Help, I am confused here.

Thanks & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Stock SBC Shroud (DO NOT GET THE BBC SHROUD, its OFFSET IS WRONG!)
Flexalite 5555 Thermal Fan Clutch
FlexaLite 5718 18" Fan Blade
Stainless Steel Bolts/Washers from local ACE Hardware store

http://69camaro.nextmill.net/pics_011304/fanclutch1.jpg

I got mine here
good quality and fair price
http://www.coolcraft.com

I have a black magic fan kit that I cant fit in my bbc 67 camaro any more. If you are interested pm me.

If I had the room, I would have run a Taurus fan. It moves so much air and is so cheap. But, with the BBC and long pump, I dinna have da room.

Here's a post with the Taurus dimensions.

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=87155&highlight=fan

I run a stock 4 row 23" radiator with stock BBc shrould ( offset) with stock Delco fan clutch and 7 blade fan. Had 21" radiator. I have add on AC. All was a bolt in.
I had to use the bbc offset shroud with this radiator as the core width is wider to the driver side of the car. There are stock mount holes for this. Looks just like Brian's picture. Easy Button :thumbsup:

Stock SBC Shroud (DO NOT GET THE BBC SHROUD, its OFFSET IS WRONG!)
Flexalite 5555 Thermal Fan Clutch
FlexaLite 5718 18" Fan Blade
Stainless Steel Bolts/Washers from local ACE Hardware store

http://69camaro.nextmill.net/pics_011304/fanclutch1.jpg
All good advice! One thing though. Your bypass hose is blocked off. I've tried that several times and the system worked better with the hose installed.
http://epitomesrebuild.com/images/138.1.JPG

Even though this is a 1969 Camaro, would I get the stock SBC shroud for a 1968 Car with A/C? or the 1969 shroud for a 23" wide core which means only BBC received the 23" wide core for 1969....see below

In 1969 all SBC Camaro's received the 21" wide core whether they had A/C or not. In 1967 & 1968 if a SBC car had A/C, they received the 23" wide core. This car now has the 23" inch wide core but no A/C, so would I get the 1968 SBC with A/C shroud or the 1969 shroud made for a BBC since this car has the 23" wide core?

My upper radiator hose seemed a bit short for 1969 SBC. The 1968 with A/C hose fits better that's why I'm leaning toward eitehr getting a custom shroud with electric fan set up or the 1968 with A/C shroud.

Thanks for the responses!

six of one, half dozen of the other. The BBC shroud is only offset 1", which will move the center of the fan 1/2" The fan diameter is 2" smaller than the hole. With the BBC shroud for a 69, it will work, as Don said. Many use it this way.

The 68 a/c shroud will center the fan in the hole, but will extend an additional inch over the fan. This will work too.

Fred,

Actually that is an old picture of my engine bay, I've since installed a serpentine belt system and finished installing the Vintage Air AC system which allows the heater hose connections to be utilized.

New picture, 383 with SBC AC shroud, Northern Alum Radiator, Flexalite Brand 18" Blade, Flexalite Fan Clutch
http://69camaro.nextmill.net/photos/engine/engine4_web.jpg

Jim, Brian & Everyone,

Thanks for the responses. Jim & Brian, I measured prior to your responses before I got my son ready for school this morning. Jim, you are correct. The middle hole on the water pump pulley sits at 10 & 1/2" between the core. Since it's basically 23 to 23 & 1/2" core depending where I measure, that means the radiator sits about 1 to 1 & 1/4" more on the drivers side. So the BBC shroud should work for a 1969 car with a 350 SBC in it with a BBC radiator.

Now it's just a matter of going with a factory style shroud or Flex A lite Black Magic Extreme or a custom set up from Cool Craft which is owned by US Radiator. I know the electric stuff allegedly uses up less Horsepower, which is why I am inclined to go with the Electric fan set up.

I know the custom stuff from cool craft would probably run $500. Which one would cool better for under $300? The Flex A Lite Black Majic Extreme FLX 180 set up or the BBC shroud set up with thermal clutch & 16" fan?

Thanks!!

I you don't like the plastic shroud, your budget would handle one of these:
http://www.camaros.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=809&d=1147394546
http://www.mahaffeymotorsports.com/

Those are cool!! Thanks!! I like the plastic GM shroud. I had one in my old 1969 that was original. It's been so long since I worked on that car (13 years+) I'm now re-learning everything. I got out of the car business nearly 9 years ago too, so I've been shaking off that rust as well. I havn't seen the new Rocky movie yet but that's probably how I feel.

I'm just curious to see which one cools better. The stock GM shroud with thermal clutch & stock fan or something like a Flex-a-lite black magic extreme.

Brian, I just saw your reply and your last picture went perfectly with my first cup of coffee! As-in 'feel good'. 'Course now I'm jealous. A Vintage Air system has been on my list since the company formed. And those serpentine's,,,,,,, pant, pant!:thumbsup: