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#1 |
Dude...I'm a CHICK
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Lakeland Georgia
Posts: 6,192
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Fan shroud install Q
I have not had a fan shroud in years. I had electric fans, and went back stock. What is the process for installing the shroud? Do I need to remove the radiator? The shroud is too thick to just set down in place. Are there any tricks or tips I should know about??
Thanks so much!!! junk
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "The unexamined life is not worth living" -Socrates ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* '71 GMC Suburban 4x4 |
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#2 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Cedar Park, Texas
Posts: 7,500
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Re: Fan shroud install Q
1. Get rid of the flex fan before it explodes and ruins the radiator, hood and possibly you. The aluminum work hardens over time from flexing and will fail eventually. Before that it will shred your hands and arms if you try to install a shroud.
2. The shroud can then be installed 3. Then you can install a factory style clutch fan. You can come across them on the parts board or some places like LMC sell new ones. |
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#3 |
Newbee
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 1,406
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Re: Fan shroud install Q
^^^^^^^^^ What he said!
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#4 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Vancouver, Washington
Posts: 1,644
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Re: Fan shroud install Q
Thanks for that tip. I have one of those fans too
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1968 Chevrolet C/10 LWB - 327, TH350 - 4/5 Drop |
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#5 |
20' Daredevil (Ret)
![]() Join Date: May 2003
Location: Jefferson State
Posts: 13,640
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Re: Fan shroud install Q
Yes, definitely toss the flex fan. If your truck is like mine, there are clips (two, I think) at the bottom of the radiator for the shroud to slip down into. Two bolts attach it at the top. Bolt up a good thermal clutch fan and you're set. The fan should be centered about halfway in the shroud opening. An 18" fan seems to be a common size, and more blades (7 is good) will provide all the cooling you need.
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- Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Modesto, CA
Posts: 2,188
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Re: Fan shroud install Q
To install the fan shroud I removed the fan, then held the fan and shroud as I lowered them into position. You can let the shroud dangle as you reinstall the fan, then mount the shroud. 2 people makes it easier.
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#7 |
Dude...I'm a CHICK
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Lakeland Georgia
Posts: 6,192
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Re: Fan shroud install Q
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cb/full.aspx?Page=63
Not sure how to post a link, hope this will come up. Is this what yall are talking about? And thank you for your help!
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "The unexamined life is not worth living" -Socrates ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* '71 GMC Suburban 4x4 |
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#8 |
Dude...I'm a CHICK
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Lakeland Georgia
Posts: 6,192
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Re: Fan shroud install Q
What exactly is the function of the "fan clutch" anyways?
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "The unexamined life is not worth living" -Socrates ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* '71 GMC Suburban 4x4 |
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#9 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Cedar Park, Texas
Posts: 7,500
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Re: Fan shroud install Q
The lmc link is in fact correct. The clutch is thermally activated. When it is hot it locks up to pull air through the radiator. When it is cool it freewheels, freeing up horsepower and fuel.
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#10 |
Dude...I'm a CHICK
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Lakeland Georgia
Posts: 6,192
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Re: Fan shroud install Q
So it has to be wired in?
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "The unexamined life is not worth living" -Socrates ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* '71 GMC Suburban 4x4 |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 3,590
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Re: Fan shroud install Q
No wiring. It's a centrifugal clutch. The faster the motor runs, the freer the fans spins. The idea being if you're sitting at idle the fans needs to pull more air. As you drive, the faster you go, the more air you're going to get through the radiator and over the engine so the fan doesn't have to work as hard. At highway speeds, the fan pretty much just along for the ride.
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#12 |
20' Daredevil (Ret)
![]() Join Date: May 2003
Location: Jefferson State
Posts: 13,640
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Re: Fan shroud install Q
They also contain thermally sensitive silicone fluid. Hot enough and the fluid thickens to engage the fan so it pulls more air. Here's a cutaway pic and a link to more info.
![]() http://www.aa1car.com/library/cooling_fan_clutch.htm
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- Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay |
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#13 |
Dude...I'm a CHICK
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Lakeland Georgia
Posts: 6,192
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Re: Fan shroud install Q
OMG you guys are amazing, what would I do without you?? Thanks so much for the information!!!!! Comparing prices now.....
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "The unexamined life is not worth living" -Socrates ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* '71 GMC Suburban 4x4 |
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#14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Brookings, SD
Posts: 10,497
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Re: Fan shroud install Q
Shrouds are different too, 6 cyl, V8 2wd and V8 4wd I think. Not sure if there was a difference in big block shrouds.
The 4wd shroud is deeper since the engine sits back a little to clear the front differential. Sounds like you have the 4wd shroud since you mentioned how thick it is.
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Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs. |
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#15 |
Dude...I'm a CHICK
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Lakeland Georgia
Posts: 6,192
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Re: Fan shroud install Q
[QUOTE Sounds like you have the 4wd shroud since you mentioned how thick it is.[/QUOTE]
I do, and where the heck have YOU been? :p
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "The unexamined life is not worth living" -Socrates ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* '71 GMC Suburban 4x4 |
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#16 |
Dude...I'm a CHICK
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Lakeland Georgia
Posts: 6,192
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Re: Fan shroud install Q
Ok, heres another question, the ad in LMC does not show a fan blade for a sb 350, is it the same as for the other engine sizes?
Also, do I need the spacer thingie that my flex fan is attached to to install the stock blade and clutch? Do I need anything else besides the fan and the clutch to install? Thanks so much!! JUNK
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "The unexamined life is not worth living" -Socrates ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* '71 GMC Suburban 4x4 |
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#17 | ||
20' Daredevil (Ret)
![]() Join Date: May 2003
Location: Jefferson State
Posts: 13,640
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Re: Fan shroud install Q
Quote:
Quote:
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- Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay |
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#18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Brookings, SD
Posts: 10,497
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Re: Fan shroud install Q
I apologize if you already know this, but you should be able to get the fan and the clutch at a local parts store. Maybe you are just using the LMC catalog for the diagram.
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Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs. |
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#19 |
Dude...I'm a CHICK
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Lakeland Georgia
Posts: 6,192
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Re: Fan shroud install Q
I tried through our local store, they could get the clutch but not the blade. I may call Napa, they also offer a military discount.
Thank you Stocker!!
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "The unexamined life is not worth living" -Socrates ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* '71 GMC Suburban 4x4 |
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#20 |
low n' slo
![]() Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: rosenberg, texas
Posts: 5,166
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Re: Fan shroud install Q
i just installed mine last week. i too had the flex fan and read the horror stories so i pulled it and bought a clutch fan off the board.
pull the fan, drop the shroud in, then hang the shroud up towards the water neck area and you can put the fan on from there. will be hard to maneuver by yourself and get the bolts in, but i did it by myself. i went and got water pump studs instead of using the regular bolts, the studs made it so much easier to get in. after you get the fan on, you can drop the shroud all the way in and start bolting it down. 1 thing to check though is to make sure your top radiator hose and outlet on the radiator clear the shroud hole. i got mine from LMC and it fit good, except i had to enlarge the hose cutout on the shroud to fit.
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67 1/2 ton Suburban - Project DRGNWGN. Build thread ![]() -_--_--_ _________ _--_-_ -/____|__|__\__ ,.,,,.,.,,.,|_O _______ O_] |
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#21 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Cedar Park, Texas
Posts: 7,500
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Re: Fan shroud install Q
I have never found the fan blade part in parts stores. However, they aill have the clutch and a hardware kit that consists of four studs that are fine thread on one end and coarse on the other as well as four nuts and lock washers. I believe i have found them in the "HELP" section.
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#22 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Cedar Park, Texas
Posts: 7,500
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Re: Fan shroud install Q
Im not sure why LMC doesnt lost a fan for the 350. I thought only a/c trucks had a different fan. Do all 350's have a different fan?
Imo, i would post a wtb on the parts forum. You might luck out like i did and get a good clean functional fan and clutch for $50 shipped. |
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#23 |
low n' slo
![]() Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: rosenberg, texas
Posts: 5,166
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Re: Fan shroud install Q
id check that first, i got mine for 45 shipped
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67 1/2 ton Suburban - Project DRGNWGN. Build thread ![]() -_--_--_ _________ _--_-_ -/____|__|__\__ ,.,,,.,.,,.,|_O _______ O_] |
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#24 |
20' Daredevil (Ret)
![]() Join Date: May 2003
Location: Jefferson State
Posts: 13,640
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Re: Fan shroud install Q
If all else fails, check local junkyards for an OEM fan. As long as the diameter & bolt patterns match (and it's not from a serpentine setup) you'll be good to go.
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- Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay |
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 155
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Re: Fan shroud install Q
I see alot of clutch fans on the 70's square bodys. Do you think that they will fit?? If so is the clutch sill good??? I have passed many in the junk yards and allways have thought about picking one up, but haven't yet. I have the regular four blade fan in my truck, and im thinking about upgrading.
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