Fan Shroud on '69 C10?

[Pelon916]

Hi...

I'm a new member.

I just got a 1969 C10 Fleetside with a 305 with a 2 barrel carb and a turbo 350. I didn't build it myself, it was mostly done at the time of purchase. I will be adding on to it for sure.

My question is this... do you guys use fan shrouds?
The truck has a flex fan with no shroud. I am getting mixed input from different sources, some of whom do not ever use fan shrouds, some of whom swear the truck is doomed if I don't install one pronto.
I drove today in 100 degree weather, literally at a dead stop for 15-20 minutes in traffic and the temp guage (which seems to be working fine) never went above the middle. It usually stays just above C but in the dead stopped traffic it slowly rose to the middle and stayed there.
I guess I'm wondering if I should install the stock shroud and be done with it, or maybe install a nice electric fan that I can use when there is traffic. Also, would it maybe help to put a 160 degree thermostat? I'm not sure what it has at the moment.

Anyway... the truck isn't much of a hot rod, I just want a reliable, fairly good gas mileage, solid runner, which it definitely is at the moment.. I'm just trying to keep it that way!

Thanks in advance for any insight...

I'll post some pics soon!

Pelon-