Fan shroud for a '64?

[RonnyB]

Does anyone know of a fan shroud that will fit my 64? The radiator is 22" wide and in good condition. It has a 4 blade fan with no clutch. The fan is about a half inch from the radiator. I know that's closer that ideal, but not by much.

It's only gotten hot once, and that was when I was stuck in a construction zone in Houston a couple of months ago. Traffic was a lot more stop than go, and it was in the mid to upper 90s. I know the system is doing good considering the setup, but that trip in Houston worried me and got me thinking about options.

I had been thinking about an auxiliary pusher electric fan with a thermostat, but don't like the fact that it would at least partially block air flow when it's not running. Then there's the added strain on the electrical system.

A shroud seems like the best solution. I'd like to find one at a junkyard. It just looks like the fan not being centered in the radiator would limit the options. There's a fairly big area of the radiator that isn't being helped by the fan. My hope is that a shroud would improve air flow while letting me keep the four blade fan. It's already there - and paid for!8)

Anybody know of one that would fit? I've been thinking it might be OK if there was a small area on the passenger side of the radiator that the fan doesn't cover, if there isn't one out there with the width and fan offset I need.

What do you think? I saw where the guy on the hotrod forum made one from scratch, but I've got too many projects going already.

I'll value any opinions you wish to share. Thanks!

 

[cosgig]

The shroud you need is a 2 piece metal shroud that is not easy to find. I believe I paid $225.00 for mine. Make sure that when you find one that it is for a 22" radiator and not the 6 cylinder 19" one, and that you get the 4 mounting tabs that clip into the side of the radiator, it won't mount without them. Good luck finding this piece, and by the way, I would change out that 4 blade fan for a 6 or 7 blade fan for increased draw. Geof

 

[66aCUDA]

Im with Jeff on the metal shroud. They are hard to come by but work great. If you go the electric fan route then use a battery mounted relay and do the standard upgrades that ALL our old Mopars NEED.
Frank

 

[RonnyB]

Thanks big-time for the info, guys. That's exactly what I need. Which models did those shrouds come on?
What would I need to do to get a thermostatic fan set up? Looks like everything on the water pump shaft, including the pulley.
If I get a fan with more blades, it might as well have a thermostat. Here's what I have:

 

[65 Dartman]

From your photo, it appears you have an early to mid 70's radiator (square top with a plug for some kind of sensor). You'll need a shroud more or less matching what you have raqdiator-wise and should be easier to find than the early A Body shroud that's in cosgig's picture. I see a little mounting hole for the left upper corner of a shroud just above the battery.

 

[cosgig]

Good eye there dartman, the metal shroud will not work with that radiator. If you post the part number I can tell you what that radiator came out of and that would help a lot with your search. That poor little 4 blade fan has got to go, and pronto!!! Geof

 

[RonnyB]

...it appears you have an early to mid 70's radiator....You'll need a shroud more or less matching what you have raqdiator-wise and should be easier to find than the early A Body shroud that's in cosgig's picture.

I sure appreciate that info!

This engine was rebuilt and modified a couple years ago by a guy who's main business is building race engines.
One thing he mentioned is that the engine is a 1976 model. Caused problems with some parts he had ordered.
My guess is that the radiator is from '76 also.
Did they come with the fan a little offset from the center of the radiator? And a shroud?

Geof, one of the first things I found on this site is a big list of radiator numbers and descriptions. Checked mine, but all I saw is a three digit number on the top. Where are the numbers on these?
The little fan's been doing a pretty good job, but I think it should be rewarded with a nice long rest on the scrap pile. That one in the picture you posted has flung a cravin' on me! Where can I get one? There aren't many older cars in the junkyards nowadays. Would it be better to buy the clutch new ?
From my picture, does it look like there would be a problem getting a fan/clutch setup in there?

Sorry about asking so many questions in one post...

 

[66aCUDA]

I Dont like the clutch fans. Ive had several eat a radiator. ANY A/C equipped slant six vehicle should have a better fan and shroud. Look for a late 70's - 87 truck with a/c. or cars thru 80.
Frank

 

[cosgig]

RonnyB, When I bought my fan, I needed the early fan from an A/C car that would fit inside the shroud. I can't remember right off hand what size it is but since you don't have the original radiator, you will not be limited by the size of the hole in the metal shroud. You could use a clutch fan like I have, but you may need a different extension snub than the one on there now. I remember I had to have mine cut down for the proper clearance. It's just a matter of mocking it up and seeing where you are.

As for the radiator, the numbers are on the top, but that may not be a Mopar radiator. It should have a 7 digit part number embossed on the top, and a Pentastar if it's a Mopar radiator. Shoot a picture of the top of the radiator and post it here. Geof

 

[RonnyB]

Well, it looks like this may not be a Mopar, since the only number on the top is 527.
I sure would like to know what it is, so I could get a shroud for it. Any ideas?
I'm kind of concerned that I may not find one that fits, since the fan is offset from the center.
If I can't find one, what would yall recommend? As I said originally, cooling is only a problem under stop-and-go traffic on hot days. But there's obviously room for improvement.
Thanks!

 

[66aCUDA]

I would put an electric fan on and be done with it. You can put that a relay and thermostat control on for less than $50 bucks.
Frank

 

[RonnyB]

I found where someone put an electric fan setup from a Jeep Cherokee on their slant six Duster. Here's the link. And his radiator is the same as mine - cool...

Went to the junkyard today, and they had a couple of Cherokees with that fan, but they both had a temp sensor screwed into the radiator. The sensors won't fit in my radiator, and I'd rather not mess with adapters if I don't have to. The guy who did the conversion didn't say what year model the donor Cherokee was.

If the ones I found had that sensor in the rad hose, I would have bought the whole setup right then.
That electric fan is a lot smaller than I expected. The Jeeps had a regular plastic fan and clutch, and this electric only was just an auxiliary one - I guess it's for the A/C. Do y'all think it's big enough?

I started another thread about my problems with the choke, and someone said this mod might help that by not having cold air blowing around while the engine is still cold. If this would solve my minor overheating problem and help out the choke situation, this would be the best car modification I've ever done! :cheers: YES!!! Making little improvements on my cars and truck are a lot of fun!

Any Jeep guys here that might know which ones have this temp sensor assembly?