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Re: What is the best repro. fan shroud for 66 BB w
Corvette Image. -
Re: What is the best repro. fan shroud for 66 BB w
Darwin------
First of all, the radiator shrouds used for 66 and 67 Corvettes with big blocks were the same for A/C and non-A/C-equipped cars (although a seperate lower extension ring was used for A?C cars), so the fact that your car has A/C does not affect this situation. It's good that you supplied that information, though, because too much information about a car's optional equipment is a LOT better than not enough information.
In my opinion, the 66-67 shroud sold by Dr. Rebuild is as good or better than others on the market.
Speaking of 66-67 fan shrouds, I just saw an "NOS" 66-67 Corvette big block fan shroud sell on eBay for well over $800. The seller didn't mis-represent the item and he started the bidding at $9.99 with no reserve. Other folks chose to bid it up. The seller also mentioned that it was a very late shroud that incorporated the changes made for 1968. The shroud was laso pictured with front and rear views.
The deal here is that the fan shroud sold is, indeed, an "NOS" 66-67 Corvette big block fan shroud. However, it's a SERVICE shroud and NOT the shroud used in PRODUCTION. The original 66-67 big block fan shroud was never sold by GM as an assembly. You could only purchase it in 3 seperate pieces and assemble them yourself. Also, the right side, lower shroud piece changed from 1966 to 1967, so there is a slight difference in complete 1966 and 1967 fan shroud assemblies. The St. Louis factory assembled the shroud for PRODUCTION from the 3 pieces in an off-line, sub-assembly operation.
For 1968, the PRODUCTION shroud was assembled from 3 seperate pieces, as previously. However, all 3 pieces changed from the ones used for 66-67. But, the 1968 fan shroud was never sold in SERVICE as individual pieces. It was sold in SERVICE only as the complete, factory-assembled unit assembly. That was a good move; it saved a lot of hassle for folks trying to replace one and insured a jig-assembled unit assembly.
In about 1970, the SERVICE 1968 fan shroud assembly, GM #3938940, became the SERVICE part for 1966 and 1967 Corvettes with big block. The individual components of the original 66-67 fan shrouds continued to be available until SERVICE inventory was exhausted. Although the 68 shroud assembly will SERVICE 1966 and 1967 Corvette applications perfectly, it is not configured exactly like the original shroud assemblies used in PRODUCTION for these cars.
The GM #3938940 fan shroud assembly, which is a SERVICE-only part, is the same as the PRODUCTION part assembled from the 3 seperate pieces for 1968 big blocks. Since the same 3 components made up the fan shrouds for 1968 small blocks with THM-400 and/or C-60, the 3938940 is also correct for those cars.
For 1966 and 1967 big block Corvettes with A/C a seperate component was added to the shroud. This was a lower extension ring of GM #3887428. This piece was also used for 1968 Corvettes with big block and A/C.
Now you know the rest of the story.
By the way, if the person that purchased that fan shroud on eBay for $800+ reads this, you have NO right, whatsoever, to back out of the sale. The part was correctly described by the seller; it is an NOS fan shroud for 66-67 Corvettes. It is discontinued and it was catalogued by GM as the replacement fan shroud for these applications. The seller, apparently, provided as much information as he could and what he provided was accurate.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: What is the best repro. fan shroud for 66 BB w
Joe,
Thanks for the great information. I saw the Ebay shroud and was bothered that it didn't have the open area in the upper left hand corner as on the originals. Now I know why! Also the repro. do not seem to have the slots in the rings to attach the additional entention for the A/C cars. I have heard you have to cut your own. I was wondering does any one reproduce one with the correct slots cut. There may be a rivet at the top of the ring that may not be on the originals. I have my original shroud, but the top of the ring was replaced with a riveted on replacement top piece( apparently the top of the ring was damaged at one time ). I have the slot and U nut on the left and partial on the right side.
DarwinComment
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the ebay shroud was
misrepresented as an "NOS 66-67 fan shroud" when it was actually a SERVICE (sorry Joe) piece. And it sold for 3 times what it was worth. Where are these people when I'm trying to sell parts?
BLComment
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Re: the ebay shroud was
I think that you will find that most 66 BB cars with air will not have an extension on the shroud, thus there are no slots cut in them. There may have been some with extensions early, I think the AIM may call for it, I dont know for sure. The small blocks that had the extension were roughly cut with a grinder when assembled at the factory. The part that Joe sites as the extension is for midyear small blocks and 68 BB,SB,AC cars. I think that If you will call Corvette Image you may be able to buy the part you need to repair yours. As for the method of assembly, most were bonded and not riveted, but in some cases they could have had a rivet and washer. I have only seen single rivets in this case, not two like the later over the counter units. The rivet was the typical production body rivet as used at the factory.Comment
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Re: Correction
The part number Joe states IS the one for BB cars. But I do not see many them installed on 67s even though they are listed in the AIM. Since I am not as familiar with the details of 66`s, I am not sure of the usage in 66.Comment
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Re: the ebay shroud was
Wayne - thx for this information.....my 66 L72 has the fan shroud with the two rivets you describe, so it must be an over the counter replacment along the way. I was always wondering if these were original or not. I guess for judging I will have to repair this with some black resin and glass...thx!...CraigComment
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