One of the unique features of the Daytona Coupes is the way air flows through the radiator and exits through the hood. According to Pete Brock, the designer of the original, the reason was to get the front end as low as possible for the high speed tracks it would be raced on. Surprisingly, exiting the air through the hood supposedly also had aerodynamic benefits. I just plain figured it looked "cool", so decided to include it in my plans as well. As turbo-charging the 2.3 also increases the cooling requirements, the original radiator was removed and a replacement pulled off of a wrecked V8 Mustang II.
The original bumper shocks served as a mounting location for a pair of aluminum brackets that support the radiator in its new location. The radiator is also supported on the bottom by its original frame. One of the problems with this new location is the original cap is no longer accessible. The filler neck has been removed and sealed over by a local rad shop. (I had visions of the cap blowing off right through the new front!)
This photo shows the new angle of the radiator. The thing hanging down near the front sway bar is the factory power steering fluid cooler that I have since moved to a new position up under the nose.
I fabricated a new aluminum duct that routes the air through the radiator and out through the top of the hood. To build the pieces I started with cardboard templates which allow me to trim them as I go and also gives me a good idea what the final product will look like. (It also helps keep mistakes to a minimum).
In this photo, the first top panel has been installed and a template in place for the first side piece. In the end, fifteen pieces of 0.063" sheet and angle stock were bolted and pop riveted together. Naturally I'll be polishing these to a shine!
Here's the ductwork installed with the 2-speed fan in place. The duct is made in two pieces that can be removed quickly by removing a few screws. Not planning ahead I built the duct prior to installing the alternator. By sheer luck it clears with about 1/4" clearance!
Here's another view:
The top is designed to just fit within the new fiberglass hood I've built. (next page)