Radiator Shroud Help Needed

[dgheinen]

My truck has a 350 sbc in the I6 location, which pushes the motor and fan away from the shroud and radiator. Ideally, I need the shroud either to be ~2" longer, or the fan ~2" closer.

Can anyone with a 4x4 shroud measure the distance from the front of the shroud (radiator) to the opening of the shroud where the fan sits? Mine shroud from the radiator to the fan opening is 4 1/4" long. Is the 4x4 shroud longer?

Is it safe to use a 2" spacer WITH a fan clutch? I read in a couple places on the interwebs that using a spacer would put more stress on the water pump bearings, which can cause premature failure. If this is do-able for a daily driver truck and safe, it would be the cheapest/easiest option (which makes me think not a very good one.)

Eventually I will be putting a 5.3 LS motor in this truck, which would mean a new radiator and electric fans, so I am hoping not to have to buy a new shroud, just to not need it in a few months.

I am also playing with the idea of riveting 2" of aluminum to the shroud and extending the shroud that way. The truck is no longer overheating and runs great, but for safety when the hood is open and just to be correct/more efficient, I would like to put the fan into the shroud.

Thanks again for the help!

Damon