Is it worth running a radiator fan shroud?

[Lil Ape]

I ordered an upper and lower fan shroud from lmc and tried installing it today. There is just no way it will work. The lower wont fit without the fan rubbing against it. And the upper required a lot of trimming just to get it to sit over the radiator. And even with all that, if I were to get both in successfully, they don't mate up. There is like a 3" or so gap between them.

Are there people here that don't run shrouds? I made sure to order the right shrouds and I'm pretty sure my radiator is just a standard size. So I don't see why nothing would fit up. I could just use the upper, But it looks odd and stupid being by itself. I don't have overheating issues since replacing my fan clutch(used to overheat at idle). So I really don't see the need for one aside from the safety issue.

[Slammed84]

You'll see the need in those nasty Houston summers. Is your radiator a stock OEM? LMC sells quality stuff so I would assume they sent the wrong one or your radiator is aftermarket.

Without a shroud you aren't channeling the cool outside air through the radiator to do its job of cooling. If you're running a clutch fan I would suggest using a shroud.

You'll get by okay in cooler weather but in the dead heat of summer shes gonna get hot for sure. You'll be just pushing super hot engine compartment air over the already hot engine.

If you feel like gettin fancy, Summit sells nice aluminum radiators and elecyric fan kits that include the shroud. They're pretty affordable too.

[piecesparts]

Did you get the right shroud? There are more than one design available for the different radiators and engine combinations.

[Bigstevex4]

My 6 banger 0nly has a small piece on top just for protection from the fan. But no heat problems in S.D. Had to get card board out again last couple weeks.
Any way as a heavy equipment mechanic for way to long we fought heating problems all the time Shrouds were a must. the fan throws a considerable amount of air off the ends.
2/3 of fan should be in 1/3 out and as close to ends fan as possible. but you can just try it see if you have heating problems 1st.

[greg64]

My suburban wouldn't cool properly without a shroud. But I'm using electric fans. I'm a big believer in electric fans.

[Lil Ape]

The part numbers I got from lmc were 32-2834 and 32-2833 for upper and lower. Both for 81-87 years(mine is '83). and for 305/350 without a/c. So I have the right parts. And both parts do have the correct part # sticker. My radiator however is not stock oem. Its a aftermarket from oreillys I bought couple years ago. It could be a different dimensions from the stock oem that was in it. Does anyone know the the dimensions are for the oem radiators, for comparison?

[Slammed84]

Originally Posted by Lil Ape

The part numbers I got from lmc were 32-2834 and 32-2833 for upper and lower. Both for 81-87 years(mine is '83). and for 305/350 without a/c. So I have the right parts. And both parts do have the correct part # sticker. My radiator however is not stock oem. Its a aftermarket from oreillys I bought couple years ago. It could be a different dimensions from the stock oem that was in it. Does anyone know the the dimensions are for the oem radiators, for comparison?

I don't know the OEM measurements but I bet that the O'reilly's is a bit off from it. That sucks man. I always liked those shrouds but I don't use one now due to electric fan. I thought the OEM shroud was actually pretty good looking compared to other vehicles.
Do some diggin I bet you can find the OEM dimensions. LMC probably sells them also, I would think. Compare the measurements to yours.
Also remember that most of the time the radiator measurements are taken minus the tanks on the side..... so only the finned part of the radiator counts, if I'm correct.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Lil Ape

I ordered an upper and lower fan shroud from lmc and tried installing it today. There is just no way it will work. The lower wont fit without the fan rubbing against it. And the upper required a lot of trimming just to get it to sit over the radiator. And even with all that, if I were to get both in successfully, they don't mate up. There is like a 3" or so gap between them.

Are there people here that don't run shrouds? I made sure to order the right shrouds and I'm pretty sure my radiator is just a standard size. So I don't see why nothing would fit up. I could just use the upper, But it looks odd and stupid being by itself. I don't have overheating issues since replacing my fan clutch(used to overheat at idle). So I really don't see the need for one aside from the safety issue.

You need a shroud, especially in TX.

I've ordered the 'correct' fan shroud from LMC for my 89 BBC dually..... You want it? It's still sitting in the box it came in in the corner of my shop office. Damn shame its nots the right part. Just because they indicate it's correct, doesn't mean squat if it's not correct.