Got a problem that I'm not too sure of the best approach for: ~ rig is a '57 Chevy 3100 series p/u, refit w/ a 350/700R4 combo (from the original 6 cyl config). I re-cored the original radiator to a 4-row, so it's sitting in there on the original mounts on the core support ~ bought a fan shroud from a repro outfit that was advertised as fitting the original radiator ~ it fits the radiator mounting configuration alright (wings of the shroud wrap around the sides of the radiator, and can be drilled to match the original mounting bolt pattern), but is nearly twice as deep as they told me it was: told it was 3" deep, and my rad-to-fan (cntr line) distance is 2 3/4" , and the shroud turns out to actually be 5" deep (from rad face to the edge or the fan opening). I learned way back that the fan blades ought to be centered on the rim of the shroud, and also be relatively close to the radiator face/core. I figure my options are: ~ return it, in which case I'm back to ground zero, ~ cut it down to 2 3/4", in which case the opening will not be quite round, but not yet rectangular, ~ cut out just the parts that will interfere w/ anything, which I'm pretty sure is just at the bottom, where it's not clear of the crankshaft pulley. If I went w/ this option, the fan would be entirely inside the shroud, which I believe is not really the best for air movement -- but I'm not sure about that. [NOTE: I'm eventually hoping to make a shroud, but that kind of sheet metal work is not my strong suit, and that would likely hold me up from getting this thing on the road. This plastic thing is intended only as a stop gap, until I can come up w/ something much more appropriate.] So do any of you have any insights that will help here? Thanks in advance! Mike
return it, and put a clutch fan on the truck. btw it's still winter, you can drive around without a shroud and see how it cools. Since you have a nice big radiator and a small engine, it might be fine, unless maybe you also have AC.
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