Removing fan shroud

[bhm1712]

I need to fit a newer and un-butchered fan shroud on my 2nd gen. the one currently on has been cut for unknown reasons, exposing the fan at the top where if you were abscent minded for one second it would have your hand wrapped around it. I presume it was done so it could be removed without removing the fan....

Can the fan cowl be removed easily once the fan is off the engine? i plan to remove the fan and then it looks like i should be able to undo the shroud bolts and pull it backwards and upwards and out. Im hoping then i can reverse the procedure to fit the new one although it will be tight because this one is untouched and the correct size. Does the rad have to come out and the fan shroud be attached to the rad before refitting?

Only thing that looks like an issue is the steering box.

[jonbullnose]

from memory yes you can but it was a long time ago i did one you need to put the fan in the shroud before reinstalling and becarefull not to damage the rad ideal if you have 3 hands

[ccckeeper]

From memory the shroud can be unbolted which makes it easier to undo the fan

[bhm1712]

Thanks guys, had a go tonight but cant get the old shroud out due to the steering box being in the way. It got dark so will have another go when i get chance in the daytime! i think the shroud fitted is the wrong one completely, so it doesnt quite fit like it should down the bottom drivers side - it seems to have a cut out to allow the steering box to fit round it!

[jonbullnose]

they normally do not have a cut out but it is always tight up against the steering box

[bhm1712]

HI,

I managed to remove it today. I got my dad to lift the rad up about 6 inches and i was able to pull out the tab that sits under the radiator, and lift the shroud up and out. Looking at this old shroud, it doesnt appear to be correct for the car - it has been hacked in various places so it fits right and the cut out around the steering box has been enlarged at some point with a hacksaw by the looks of it - very rough cut!

It might be off a first gen or similar, because it still has the holes in the correct place at the top! either way the job is 50% complete and i didnt even have to dump the coolant! well chuffed. All thats left is to fit the replacement once i have rubbed it down and painted it. I was considering electric fans, but have decided against it.

[bhm1712]

Yes, I didnt realise that the fan shroud is what actually holds the radiator in place. So unless i can come up with (or if somebody already has an idea) something to hold the radiator in place securely, and not a bodge then putting electrics on would be more of a pain i figured.

[Davy J]

Kev, Stop moaning and get on with it !!!

[bhm1712]

I dont think it would be too difficult to make some brackets to hold it down, you could use the original rubber mounts and make a bracket which the mounts fit neatly into and then bolt the bracket down through the original holes in the top panel. Providing the brackets where shaped to hold the mount firmly, and were at the right angle to apply a bit of downwards pressure onto the radiator, it probably would hold it down fine. Without the shroud though the top panel would look a little messy unless you made a neat looking plate to cover it all. Admittadly, without the shroud and fan the engine bay looks very tidy and there is plenty of room to work on things at the front of the engine! I figure that in my case, it would be faster to just replace the original type shroud as i want to get back on the road asap.

[jonbullnose]

electric aftermarket fans ie not from new often go wrong on many cars, i have done quite a few headgaskets on cars were the electric fans or sensor has failed and its just boiled the engine, very rare for oe fans to fail do not know why i always use engine drivern fans much more reliable but as you say not as tidy and do take a bit of fuel

[SUPERCHARGEDGTA]

saving any fuel will be a big help for me (big block 464 500+ hp when finished) now I am showing off

[thirdgen]

How much power currently

[BRYDENGTA]

He is going for the Fred Flintstone power - his own two feet

[SUPERCHARGEDGTA]

standard feature on 2nd gens

[bhm1712]

Second gens were designed with less power so after 20 years the power didn't strip the subframe away from the body - when the rot set in

[Davy J]

What a load of bo*****s !!!!! 2nd Gens rule.

[bhm1712]

Well I must admit I love my second gen!

[BRYDENGTA]

Rule the rust yard

[SUPERCHARGEDGTA]

[Big Chief]

Cannot beat a 2nd Gen for fun