Replacing Engine Compartment Weather Shroud

[LJ-TJ]

 Hm? While dismantling the front of the Winnie to change out engines they have put rubber baffling around the rad. Is there any reason why a person couldn't replace that with a fabricated metal baffling?

[Oz]

No reason at all, it's simply a weather barrier.  It was made using flexible material, of course, for easier installation/removal.

[Elandan2]

Actually, That rubber is important, not the material, but the function.  The better it is sealed around the radiator, the better the airflow through the radiator.  Dodge used to supply that to the manufacturers  to ensure that they sealed the area around the rad.  I don't know if it would be too easy to replace with something else.  I know on ours,  there are several hoses and wires going through the panels.  It would be very hard to replace with a solid material.  BTW, nice looking rebuild.  Good luck.  Rick

[ibdilbert01]

"Actually, That rubber is important"

So um, don't throw it away like I did mine.   

[Oz]

My first Winnie, a '74, was missing the shroud.  There was no difference in the running temperature.  If anything, it allowed more air flow over the engine, which was a 440.  BUT, the amount of build-up of road crud was heavy and it built-up quickly.  You can replace it with anything you want, but you should most definitely have one.

[LJ-TJ]

Noted and Filed.... Thanks guys. Should post some pic's tonight.