Author Topic: Champion Radiator Fan Shroud install problems  (Read 7749 times)

Offline jimmycuda71

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Champion Radiator Fan Shroud install problems
« on: February 10, 2014 - 04:53:50 PM »
I purchased a Champion Radiator and Electric fan kit about a year or so ago. I installed the radiator but not the shroud or fans. I was waiting till I got the engine back in my car. I went to install the shroud to the radiator and there is no way to attach it. I went to look in the radiator box for instructions, but sometime in the last year my wife gave the box to one of her friends that was moving to pack stuff in. the shroud box had not been opened and there was no instructions or brackets in it either. I am sure I am just overlooking something simple. or my wife gave away the missing parts.
What am I missing?

Thanks in advance
Jimmycuda71




Offline AARuFAST

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Re: Champion Radiator Fan Shroud install problems
« Reply #1 on: February 10, 2014 - 09:23:42 PM »
I'm guessing it is an alum rad

Your support cross member should have the holes for the shroud not the rad.

if the rad is larger than the 71 rad hole it covered the holes for the shroud
71's had smaller rads thus the crossmember hole is smaller than the 70's.
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Offline jimmycuda71

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Re: Champion Radiator Fan Shroud install problems
« Reply #2 on: February 11, 2014 - 06:11:32 PM »
SO YOU ARE SAYING THE SHROUD GOES IN FRONT OF THE RADIATOR?

Offline HP_Cuda

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Re: Champion Radiator Fan Shroud install problems
« Reply #3 on: February 11, 2014 - 06:44:45 PM »

let me guess you bought the 22" champion radiator.
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Offline AARuFAST

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Re: Champion Radiator Fan Shroud install problems
« Reply #4 on: February 11, 2014 - 08:23:11 PM »
goes on engine side of crossmember look for four holes two on each side of rad

Maybe the rad side brackets covered the holes...

1970 AAR Cuda
1970 Gran Coupe Ragtop. 1 of 66
Gran Cpe Convertible 1 yr only.

" I Want to Ride "

" I tried to be normal once...
it was the most boring
2 minutes of my life!!!!"

Offline 72bluNblu

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Re: Champion Radiator Fan Shroud install problems
« Reply #5 on: February 11, 2014 - 10:43:22 PM »
Do you have a link to the fan shroud and radiator set up you bought? Or at least part #'s? Hard to know what you're dealing with if we don't know what you have...

Offline jimmycuda71

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Re: Champion Radiator Fan Shroud install problems
« Reply #6 on: February 12, 2014 - 09:37:44 AM »
The radiator is a 26" 4 core aluminum champion radiator. At the time I purchased it I did not know that some cars came with 22" radiators. Which mine did. But instead of sending it back I just fabricated some brackets and installed it anyway. Worked pretty well or so I thought.  That was a year or so ago. I just went to install the shroud and electric fans. Now I am not sure what to do. 26" radiator and 22" support? :clueless:

Offline HP_Cuda

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Re: Champion Radiator Fan Shroud install problems
« Reply #7 on: February 12, 2014 - 11:24:04 AM »

Since you fabricated brackets, I don't know if the stock fan will fit with that 26" Radiator as I assume it was pushed backwards a bit.

The shroud should fit the 26" as I have test fit mine and the holes line up perfectly, although alot of folks like mounting electrics on the front. Not to say you couldn't do something different.
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Offline 72bluNblu

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Re: Champion Radiator Fan Shroud install problems
« Reply #8 on: February 12, 2014 - 01:07:29 PM »
The 26" radiator in the 22" radiator support shouldn't be a problem at all, although it will depend on your brackets. I have a 26" 3 core Champion radiator that I put in my Duster, which has a 22" radiator support. I just drilled a couple holes and tack welded a couple of backing nuts onto the support, so it almost looks factory.

The 4 core radiator could be an issue though, you won't have a lot of room to work with for the fans. But you're just talking about bolting the Champion shroud onto the Champion radiator right?

Looks like the shroud just bolts to the lip on the edge of the core. There should be holes in that lip already, but in this picture is looks like they just used sheet metal screws...



I have a dual fan set up from a Ford Contour in my car. Fits the 26" radiator like a glove. And the fans are cheap, $100 for a new replacement. I'm told on the "high" setting that they push over 3600cfm.



You can see the kind of room I have here on my Duster. I actually couldn't run the "nose cone" on my March pulley because I didn't have enough clearance. E body may have more room though, so maybe that won't be an issue. You can see in the bottom corner of this picture the lip on the radiator that I'm talking about for mounting the shroud. I bolted a 1/8" by 1.5" aluminum bar to mine to adapt the Contour fans, but I'm thinking you should be able to use the stock holes and just drill a matching set of holes in the shroud.

Offline jimmycuda71

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Re: Champion Radiator Fan Shroud install problems
« Reply #9 on: February 12, 2014 - 06:28:58 PM »
There is holes in the outer frame of the radiator that line up with the holes in the shroud. I was afraid to drill through what was behind the frame. Figured that if I did I would hit water for sure. If it is safe to run a sheet metal screw through there then it is an easy install. I am going to look at putting the shroud and fans in front of the radiator. That would be the better option if it will fit with the 22" support. I am sure that I could make it fit but I am not really wanting to cut on the support. That would be a last resort.

Offline 72bluNblu

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Re: Champion Radiator Fan Shroud install problems
« Reply #10 on: February 12, 2014 - 11:04:42 PM »
I don't think those fans will fit in front of the radiator support if you've got a 26" radiator and a 22" radiator support, the fans take up the full width of the core. You'll have to modify that support if you want to do that. Not only that, but that shroud is set up to be on the engine compartment side. If you run the fans in front, don't use the shroud! You'll block all of your incoming air. Also, if you're going to run the fans in front, make sure they're reversible. They're obviously set up to be pullers with that shroud, so if you mount them in front you'll have to reverse they're spin so they push air instead.

If they'll clear the water pump I'd run the fans as a puller set up. Pulling is more efficient for cooling, the fans don't obstruct the incoming air from the front of the car. And that entire set up is designed to be used as a puller.

Offline jimmycuda71

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Re: Champion Radiator Fan Shroud install problems
« Reply #11 on: February 13, 2014 - 04:38:07 PM »
You are correct. The shroud doesn't even come close to fitting in front. Just hope the fans clear the water pump nose cone. Got my fingers crossed.

Offline SXTY9BEE

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Re: Champion Radiator Fan Shroud install problems
« Reply #12 on: February 13, 2014 - 05:51:47 PM »
i had same issue with my champion radiator and shroud set up...i used 4 large rivets to mount the shroud to the radiator..guy from champion told Me that also