1967 427/390 with A/C fan shroud

[David K.]

Re: 1967 427/390 with A/C fan shroud original?

Now I'm starting to doubt that the 2 bottom halves of my fan shroud are original.
It fits perfectly, and nearly everything else on the car is original. I know this shroud has been on the car since the early 70's.
I can't find any part numbers on them, but I haven't removed them from the car to look. The picture in the AIM shows a rectangular hole cut on the driver's side, and I noticed this same hole in many (all?) of the shrouds at the Winter Regionals. My shroud has no such hole. Otherwise it looks very much like the shroud in the AIM. It has the slots in the bottom for the A/C extension part, and the U-nuts. I'm having difficulty seeing this hole in most picture of mid-year BB engine compartments.
Could it be that the service replacement had no hole?
All the repo shrouds seem to have the hole.
What is the purpose of that rectangular cut out?
I'd hate to remove an original part, and replace it with a reproduction just to make it "look right".
Did the bottom halves of the service replacement shroud have part numbers?
If so, where would they be?

[David K.]

Re: 1967 427/390 with A/C fan shroud original?

Now I'm starting to doubt that the 2 bottom halves of my fan shroud are original.
It fits perfectly, and nearly everything else on the car is original. I know this shroud has been on the car since the early 70's.
I can't find any part numbers on them, but I haven't removed them from the car to look. The picture in the AIM shows a rectangular hole cut on the driver's side, and I noticed this same hole in many (all?) of the shrouds at the Winter Regionals. My shroud has no such hole. Otherwise it looks very much like the shroud in the AIM. It has the slots in the bottom for the A/C extension part, and the U-nuts. I'm having difficulty seeing this hole in most picture of mid-year BB engine compartments.
Could it be that the service replacement had no hole?
All the repo shrouds seem to have the hole.
What is the purpose of that rectangular cut out?
I'd hate to remove an original part, and replace it with a reproduction just to make it "look right".
Did the bottom halves of the service replacement shroud have part numbers?
If so, where would they be?

[Mike Cobine]

Re: 1967 427/390 with A/C fan shroud original?

David,

My feelings on this subject is this: When it doubt, don't.

Especially if the doubt is produced by what some Corvette book says is right. Corvette history is full of "this is how the 19xx Corvette yyyyy is supposed to look ..." and then 5 years later after everyone removes theirs for the "correct" one, it is "discovered" that the "correct" one is wrong. Just a few days ago there was a discussion on '63 water pumps and how that number could not have been produced until two years later, yet it is in the Judging Guide.

Oops, sorry to all who removed and tossed/traded in/lost/etc their real original pump.

If the car had been restored or somewhat modified/repaired/etc, then you would have reason to believe the shroud was changed. But since you know the history of the car prior to the restoration craze that began in the mid to late '70s, odds are it is the original piece. So until you confirm it or deny it with other real original Corvettes (not restored Corvettes), leave it alone.

Or ignore originality and build a correct NCRS car.

[Mike Cobine]

Re: 1967 427/390 with A/C fan shroud original?

David,

My feelings on this subject is this: When it doubt, don't.

Especially if the doubt is produced by what some Corvette book says is right. Corvette history is full of "this is how the 19xx Corvette yyyyy is supposed to look ..." and then 5 years later after everyone removes theirs for the "correct" one, it is "discovered" that the "correct" one is wrong. Just a few days ago there was a discussion on '63 water pumps and how that number could not have been produced until two years later, yet it is in the Judging Guide.

Oops, sorry to all who removed and tossed/traded in/lost/etc their real original pump.

If the car had been restored or somewhat modified/repaired/etc, then you would have reason to believe the shroud was changed. But since you know the history of the car prior to the restoration craze that began in the mid to late '70s, odds are it is the original piece. So until you confirm it or deny it with other real original Corvettes (not restored Corvettes), leave it alone.

Or ignore originality and build a correct NCRS car.

[David K.]

Re: 1967 427/390 with A/C fan shroud original?

I guess I have a reason to suspect it may not be original.
The car was in a wreck, prior to 1972.
The driver's side top surround piece is white fiberglass ('63-'64?) under the paint (instead of the black it's supposed to be for '67).
Someone did some bodywork, and painted it over.
I suppose it is possible the fan shroud broke, and got replaced at that time.
The horns, also have later dates, leading me to think there may have been damage to that area.
Still I don't plan on replacing the fan shroud until I have more evidence that it is wrong.
I'm in no hurry to have it judged, if ever.

[David K.]

Re: 1967 427/390 with A/C fan shroud original?

I guess I have a reason to suspect it may not be original.
The car was in a wreck, prior to 1972.
The driver's side top surround piece is white fiberglass ('63-'64?) under the paint (instead of the black it's supposed to be for '67).
Someone did some bodywork, and painted it over.
I suppose it is possible the fan shroud broke, and got replaced at that time.
The horns, also have later dates, leading me to think there may have been damage to that area.
Still I don't plan on replacing the fan shroud until I have more evidence that it is wrong.
I'm in no hurry to have it judged, if ever.