68 427 Radiator Baffle

[Mark Stocki]

Reading through the '68 assembly manual (page H350) I see a baffle that is to be installed under the radiator & over the stabilizer bar for 427 cars. Were these actually installed? I nor anyone who has been assisting me with my restoration has seen one on a '68 427 car. To complicate things I was reading through a '68 service manual and the baffle is shown in a diagram for a small block, but not a big block car.

[Terry B.]

Re: 68 427 Radiator Baffle

Mark,

I have not seen a big block with this baffle. '68 Big Blocks were prone to overheating and this may have had to be deleted early in production if it ever made it to the assembly line. Early '68 Big Blocks had to have extra hole cut in that area to allow better air flow.

[Joe L.]

Re: 68 427 Radiator Baffle

Mark-----

The baffle you describe was designed for use with the circular steel shroud used for 68 small blocks with manual transmissions. I doubt that it was ever installed in conjunction with the fiberglass shroud used for most big blocks and some small blocks. However, there may have been "some confusion" which existed for a variety of reasons during 1968 production and, perhaps, some of the shields were installed on fiberglass shroud applications. By its design, I cannot understand what possible benefit would have resulted from the installation of the shield with the fiberglass shroud.