Radiator Shroud Help Needed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

dgheinen · 05-09-2017, 08:42 PM

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

**Boog** · 05-09-2017, 10:03 PM

You definitely do not want to put a spacer behind that fan clutch. If, in a few months, you are planning to do the LS swap you won't be needing that shroud anyway so for temporary use you could rivet say a 4" band of aluminum to that shroud and solve your present issue. That 4" is about the difference between the V8 engine stand location and the L6 location.

**Stocker** · 05-09-2017, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgheinen

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?

9 1/2"

Agree with Boog, do not add a spacer to your fan clutch.

dgheinen · 05-09-2017, 11:31 PM

So at 9 1/2", a 4x4 fan shroud would somehow be too long! If mine is 4 1/2", an extra 5" would put the fan too far into the shroud by 1" to 2".

Maybe the bandaid aluminum extension would be the best route for now, until the new rad with electric fans

El Dorado Jim · 05-10-2017, 12:00 AM

you want your fan to be just inside the shroud, looks like a 4x4 shroud would work

1961 GMC 4X4 · 05-27-2017, 09:09 AM

and some time ago, a member posted plans for fabricating a shroud; those were great plans that I can't find now

**VetteVet** · 05-27-2017, 10:33 AM

here's another option.

http://www.google.com/url?url=http:/...4gtfghNyG2ikaA

1961 GMC 4X4 · 05-27-2017, 12:14 PM

thanks a lot, that's helpful. someone has also shared plans (that he drew) for a fan shroud that he built from scrap for a v8 engine. I may have seen it on another website. this gentleman shared the detailed plans and photos

RustyBucket · 05-27-2017, 01:33 PM

I extended the shroud on my'71 GMC with a strip of vinyl base molding from either Lowe's or Home Depot. Wrapped it around the shroud and secured it with short sheet metal screws. I KNOW IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'D LOOK AWFUL.... but I don't think it's very noticeable. It's black, about the same texture as the shroud and it has a little lip on the edge. It worked great, made a huge difference in temperature on the truck. Cost less than $5 to cure my problem.

BRL · 05-27-2017, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgheinen

My truck has a 350 sbc in the I6 location...

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyBucket

I extended the shroud on my'71 GMC with a strip of vinyl base molding from either Lowe's or Home Depot...

Did the same thing to protect my fingers from that razor sharp flex fan.

Think I used Contact Cement and rivets to attach it.

Darn thing pushes so much air now that I can still get home by revving the engine up to 3500 RPM if the tranny goes out.

...ok I made that part up.

Notice the camel hump fuelie heads?

**Stocker** · 05-27-2017, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyBucket

I extended the shroud on my'71 GMC with a strip of vinyl base molding

An inexpensive solution to a relatively common problem, and it looks good too!

RustyBucket · 05-27-2017, 10:57 PM

Here's a couple more pictures of mine. I have a 7 blade clutch fan that sits a little deeper into the shroud. Runs quiet and COOL

05-09-2017, 08:42 PM	#1
dgheinen Registered User Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Federal Way, WA Posts: 39	Radiator Shroud Help Needed 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 Last edited by dgheinen; 05-09-2017 at 08:58 PM.

05-09-2017, 10:03 PM	#2
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,535	Re: Radiator Shroud Help Needed You definitely do not want to put a spacer behind that fan clutch. If, in a few months, you are planning to do the LS swap you won't be needing that shroud anyway so for temporary use you could rivet say a 4" band of aluminum to that shroud and solve your present issue. That 4" is about the difference between the V8 engine stand location and the L6 location. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

05-09-2017, 11:31 PM	#4
dgheinen Registered User Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Federal Way, WA Posts: 39	Re: Radiator Shroud Help Needed So at 9 1/2", a 4x4 fan shroud would somehow be too long! If mine is 4 1/2", an extra 5" would put the fan too far into the shroud by 1" to 2". Maybe the bandaid aluminum extension would be the best route for now, until the new rad with electric fans

05-10-2017, 12:00 AM	#5
El Dorado Jim Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: El Dorado Ca Posts: 3,374	Re: Radiator Shroud Help Needed you want your fan to be just inside the shroud, looks like a 4x4 shroud would work

05-27-2017, 09:09 AM	#6
1961 GMC 4X4 Registered User Join Date: May 2017 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 2	Re: Radiator Shroud Help Needed and some time ago, a member posted plans for fabricating a shroud; those were great plans that I can't find now

05-27-2017, 10:33 AM	#7
VetteVet Msgt USAF Ret Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 8,719	Re: Radiator Shroud Help Needed here's another option. http://www.google.com/url?url=http:/...4gtfghNyG2ikaA __________________ VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative.

05-27-2017, 12:14 PM	#8
1961 GMC 4X4 Registered User Join Date: May 2017 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 2	Re: Radiator Shroud Help Needed thanks a lot, that's helpful. someone has also shared plans (that he drew) for a fan shroud that he built from scrap for a v8 engine. I may have seen it on another website. this gentleman shared the detailed plans and photos

05-27-2017, 01:33 PM	#9
RustyBucket Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Space Coast, Fl. Posts: 1,055	Re: Radiator Shroud Help Needed I extended the shroud on my'71 GMC with a strip of vinyl base molding from either Lowe's or Home Depot. Wrapped it around the shroud and secured it with short sheet metal screws. I KNOW IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'D LOOK AWFUL.... but I don't think it's very noticeable. It's black, about the same texture as the shroud and it has a little lip on the edge. It worked great, made a huge difference in temperature on the truck. Cost less than $5 to cure my problem. Attached Images __________________ Dad always said, "Son, WISH IN ONE HAND, and ......." -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- Current toy trucks: '71 GMC 1500 SUPER CUSTOM short/step, orig. dk. blue, 350/700r, ps,pb, A/C '72 Blazer 2wd, ochre & white, 454, tremecTKO 500 5spd. ps, pb, A/C, tilt Last 10yrs of hobby vehicles, had a FEW more in the 50yrs. before these: '66 Plymouth Belvedere City of Miami cop car clone. '70 Nova 406"sb, 13.5-1, solid roller, Brodix, p.glide/t.brake, back halved, 9" Ford, spool 4.88, cage,ladder bar/coilover, 10.5 tire....... SOLD!! '67 C10 short/step side mount spare -- SOLD!! '72 Jimmy 2wd, 350/350, ps, pb, fun driver, lots of bondo & a shiny red paint job..... SOLD!! '69 Nova 350, 4spd, A/C, ps, p.b, ...SOLD!!

05-27-2017, 10:57 PM	#12
RustyBucket Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Space Coast, Fl. Posts: 1,055	Re: Radiator Shroud Help Needed Here's a couple more pictures of mine. I have a 7 blade clutch fan that sits a little deeper into the shroud. Runs quiet and COOL Attached Images __________________ Dad always said, "Son, WISH IN ONE HAND, and ......." -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- Current toy trucks: '71 GMC 1500 SUPER CUSTOM short/step, orig. dk. blue, 350/700r, ps,pb, A/C '72 Blazer 2wd, ochre & white, 454, tremecTKO 500 5spd. ps, pb, A/C, tilt Last 10yrs of hobby vehicles, had a FEW more in the 50yrs. before these: '66 Plymouth Belvedere City of Miami cop car clone. '70 Nova 406"sb, 13.5-1, solid roller, Brodix, p.glide/t.brake, back halved, 9" Ford, spool 4.88, cage,ladder bar/coilover, 10.5 tire....... SOLD!! '67 C10 short/step side mount spare -- SOLD!! '72 Jimmy 2wd, 350/350, ps, pb, fun driver, lots of bondo & a shiny red paint job..... SOLD!! '69 Nova 350, 4spd, A/C, ps, p.b, ...SOLD!!



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