Stexag.... For my two cents, I would have to say that your crossmember should be just fine. As for the shroud, yes I should run one however even not having one you shouldn't see the red line. I never seen the red line with my old '64 and I didn't run a shroud but I did have a full time fan mounted on it. I am guessing you are running a clutched fan; is your clutch engaging?
As for the second question, I love electric fans as long as I run them with something like this:
Summit Racing Wiring Just remember to run one that has enough CFM (2100 or more).
Well that is my 2 cents. Hope it helps