First post here after much reading, so hello everyone! Anyways, down to the point. I need to find a fan shroud for my 53 Ford Customline with the 239 flathead. She's having some problems staying cool and a shroud is my first step in curing the problem. I tried Google searching to the ends of the earth and the local junk yards with no luck. If anyone has one they don't need, or knows of an aftermarket source, that'd be awesome! Also, a bonus picture of Herman the Ford!
Hello Jimbo and welcome. Herman looks to be in pretty good shape for an old guy. I'm wondering...did Herman or any other '53 Fords come from the factory with a fan shroud? I don't think they did. And that could be why you're having just a little trouble finding one...lol. And it leads me to believe that your overheating problem (rather, Herman's overheating problem) is caused by something other than air-flow. I'd check coolant flow first. Check for a clogged radiator and worn out water pumps. Good luck. Have fun. Be careful.
With the engine cool and not running and the radiator cap off, remove one of the lower radiator hoses. (position a bucket or tub to catch the coolant) The coolant should rush out of there and empty the radiator very quickly...like in 5 seconds or so. If it doesn't, the radiator is clogged. Remove the fan belt. Check the pulleys on the water pumps for side-play. If you detect any play at all, the pumps probably need replacing.
Oh yeah...and check your thermostats of course. Pull 'em out, put 'em in a pot of cold water and heat on the stove. They should open up once the water gets hot.
The '67 Mustang small block radiator is almost as close to a bolt-in in 1949-56 Ford cars and several of our members have used this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-1969-F...oud-/381308819016?hash=item58c7c6d648&vxp=mtr
This thread tells how to make one that fits your car and has pictures. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/tech-custom-fit-fan-shroud.380196/
What carburetor/distributor do you have? If all is stock then is the vacuum advance connected to the carb. or manifold? Check to see if you don't have a broken vacuum diaphragm in the dist. and that it is actually advancing under vacuum. If all of this is up to snuff then work on the cooling system.
Did you guys notice this guy joined to ask the question and has never logged back in to see any reply's,that was 2 months ago. HRP
I highly doubt a 52/53 era Ford had a fan shroud considering '56s did not have them only the trucks did and the trucks good luck in getting that to fit, the trucks used Lincoln Y blocks over the Ford Y blocks and they are two different animals but appear the same.
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