Let's talk about fixed-blade fans

Hey guys:

My '71 Valiant is finished and I have been enjoying it.

But, I think I am doing something wrong with the fan/fan shroud situation.

I am using a new 22" radiator and fixed fan(no clutch).

I started out with no shroud at all, because I don't have one of those "rare" 22" shrouds nor the money to afford one. It was getting too warm at slower speeds and idle, probably 225 degrees.

I dug through my parts and came up with a shroud which I *think* I removed from a 77-78 Volare slant six. I turned it upside down and trimmed it slightly to fit.

While I was at this, I compared the fan that came from the '75 Duster 318/AC that I parted out. The Duster fan is also fixed and 5-blade but I noticed right away the pitch of the blades on the Duster fan was greater and the blades themselves larger than the fan I've been running on the Valiant.

Being out of a 26" rad car, the Duster fan is too large to fit inside that shroud, so I had to reuse the small fan. It runs cooler at slow speeds, slightly, but still creeps up at idle, and worst of all, it's heat soaking like crazy. Sometimes it's approaching 240 degrees when I restart the engine.

So obviously that fan isn't up to the job..I guess it must be a SL6 fan. What are my options within the 22" radiator set up? Pony up for one of those "correct" shrouds? Will a larger fan even go in it?

I guess I'd consider that, other than the fact that everyone I've ever dealt with here sees money signs when they know they have an uncommon part, and I'm not making that up.