Radiator Shroud Clearance Issues

[Total BS]

Hi guys,

Here is today's dilemma with my 71 Cuda resto. Months back I purchased an apparently NOS 26" fan shroud on Ebay as my car was missing its original. It is an A/C car and everyone said it is important to have one for proper air flow.

Now we are reassembling the engine compartment and we are finding that the fan will interfere with the shroud.  The shroud fits the radiator fine and lines up with the appropriate holes but is seems like the whole thing is too low.
I also should mention that the radiator is an aftermarket one but looks original (except for the stampings).

So the easy solution for now is to remove the shroud and deal with it later. My question is, are there any adjustments for possibly moving the radiator up a bit to better center the fan in the shroud. Also, how high should the radiator stick up above the radiator support.  (I was also thinking ahead about clearance issues with the hood once that goes back on.) Any one else have any similar problems? Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Ed

[Chryco Psycho]

basically the top tank can sit slightly above the rad wall MAX , with enough clearance for th erad cap
 I`m not sure why your shroud doesn`t line up , there are different diameter fans  so a smaller diameter may work , you may have enough cooling without the shroud or may not too , it is worth trying , I assume the shroud is not upside down but being offset lfet to right it wouldn`t fit that way either , possibly the wrong shourd for the car  ?

[Total BS]

Chryco,

I assumed that a 26" shroud would fit any 26" radiator.  Maybe I am wrong.  I wonder if there were different part numbers for the 26" shrouds available.

Yes, we did try and flip it around but the rad. hose inlet only allows it fit one way.

Maybe it is because my car is an A/C car with a possibly larger fan?

For now I will leave it off and see what happens.  Thanks

[Chryco Psycho]

I know there were different shrouds for different years

[Challenger6pak]

I agree with Chryco.  See if you need a smaller fan.

[Bullitt-]

 

[Total BS]

Well after doing some measuring my fan is 19" from blade tip to tip and the shroud opening is 20.25". It is a 7 blade clutch fan and I have A/C. So it should fit in the opening. The problem is that the fan sits about 1" higher than the shroud when mounted to the radiator.   Any thoughts? Do I need to lower my engine?..lol

[Chryco Psycho]

get a 18 " clutch fan

[Total BS]

Neil,

Do you think I can just dispense with this whole shroud issue and still run cooly with my A/C on without it.  Maybe my car didn't originally have a shroud.  It certainly wasn't there when I found her.

[Chryco Psycho]

hard to say , it could be just fine without the shroud , I know there were smaller clutch fans though

[Challenger6pak]

I also should mention that the radiator is an aftermarket one but looks original (except for the stampings).



Have you compared, side by side, the radiator with a factory stock one.  They may look the same but have you been able to measure one. My shroud fit different on a Modine radiator over the factory one.  The radiators looked pretty much the same but, due to legalities could not be the same.

[Bullitt-]

ED, for what it's worth, here are measurements from an OE shroud I believe came off a 71 b-body big block. googled the part #3673820 & only got a hit on A-body.   overall width 26 1/2", width at mounting tabs 27", at center of mounting holes 25 3/4",
height of sides 18 3/8", top mtg hole 2 7/8", bottom hole 15 1/8",  dia. of opening 20 1/2", offset on long side/drivers 4 1/2".
You might check these #s against your repro piece just to make sure.