Interesting update on "crappy" repro fan shrouds

So I was communicating via email with Todd at Hoffmans Winners Circle recently and I mentioned the problem I had with a "614" fan shroud not fitting right and warping into the fan after a very short time. I know others have complained about this. (I believe Hoffmans is the primary wholesaler of these repro shrouds to all the other retailers).

He offered to have a replacement drop-shipped to me from his manufacturer in Ohio - say's they're constantly improving the plastic formula but still better than originals.

It arrived today from a plastics manufacturer in Ohio. I immediately compared it to the first one I bought. The cast in part numbers are identical. The Chrysler logo has now been ground off. There are significant dimensional differences in mounting hole spacing (now correct) and even the diameter of the fan opening - from 19" to now 20". When you lay them over the top of each other, the older one looks like a shrunken down version of the current one.

Be careful buying less expensive "seconds" from places like Laysons where they state the mounting holes are a little off. I did not get my first one from them.

The "325" is the other 22" a-body shroud. I don't know if there were issues with this one or if they fixed it too.

1968-69 A-Body 22" V-8 radiator fan shroud. Original part number 2785 614. Correct for all V-8 cars using a fan shroud including 273 & 318 with A/C, 340, 383, and 440 powered Darts, Valiants, and Barracudas.

1970-72 A-Body 22" V-8 radiator fan shroud. Original part number 2998 325. Correct for all V-8 cars using a fan shroud including 318 with A/C, 340, and 360 powered Darts, Valiants, Dusters, and Demons.

I'm using the 614 with a 3 row copper/brass rad from US Radiator which is intended for '67-'69 big block A's. I moved the outlet from top center to top passenger side.