55 fan shroud again

[Ronald R.]

During my visit to San Antonio I talked to a few old timers that seemed very familiar with the 55's. I showed the cutout on the mid may car. He told me it was most likely done at a service center for ease of changing the hose ( attached ). That explanation seemed reasonable to me. Yesterday of saw pictures of an early September car ( attached) seemed to contradict some of the judging information????
thanks Ronnie

[Jim D.]

Re: 55 fan shroud again

I know nothing about 55's but those cutouts sure look factory to me. If they were done after the fact, like at a service center as you were told, what are the odds that 2 random cars would have the exact same shaped and size holes in the exact same spot?

[John S.]

Re: 55 fan shroud again

the question is not if the cutout existed, but when the cutout began to appear. ask the old timer why all the cutouts are identical. the judging manual needs to place footnotes(like Nolan used in his book) as to the cars they use for examples. the example in the book is most likely from a early car. I have a later car with the identical cutout. the judging manual will not show a lot of changes because of a limited number of cars that were viewed in the past. that is no longer the case and members like Troy are now getting more picture documentation of early and late cars.

[Joe R.]

Re: 55 fan shroud again

This is really a non question as I have witnessed and took the picture 342 and it was not cut out. It was stamped in when the shroud was made. Car number 342 has not been messed with by the experts (other than expert squirrels and rats). And a few things replaced like the radiator hoses and fuel pump.
Those old experts are what should be retired from judging. And the judging manuals revised.

JR

[Ronald R.]

Re: 55 fan shroud again

I agree, if you ask the repro manufacturers, there is no cut out and their shrouds get gold and top flight! I'm sure I'll fond more things as we go as I am knee deep in number 480! thanks for your comments. ronnie

[John S.]

Re: 55 fan shroud again

I agree, if you ask the repro manufacturers, there is no cut out and their shrouds get gold and top flight! I'm sure I'll fond more things as we go as I am knee deep in number 480! thanks for your comments. ronnie

if a part exist on a early car, it is difficult to say it could not be on a later car. there was no cutout on early 55s. now if you decided your car has the cutout in the shroud, is your shroud assembly a early 5 piece assembly, or is it a 4 or possibly 3 piece assembly?

[Ronald R.]

Re: 55 fan shroud again

The early February car did not have the cut out mid and late cars I looked at did have it. Mine looks to be a 4 piece shroud, a large bottom and 2 small sides and the top,

[John S.]

Re: 55 fan shroud again

The early February car did not have the cut out mid and late cars I looked at did have it. Mine looks to be a 4 piece shroud, a large bottom and 2 small sides and the top,

on the lower shroud there are two oblong holes. it appears a penetrating fluid was sprayed in the area of the oblong holes. what was bolted to the shroud?

[Ronald R.]

Re: 55 fan shroud again

It was attached to this thing.

[John S.]

Re: 55 fan shroud again

It was attached to this thing.

excellent picture. you have a five piece shroud assembly. earlier cars have two triangular pieces making them a 6 piece assembly(NOT mentioned in the judging guide). for those who are involved with the 53 to 55 judging guide go to page 163 and rethink how the 55 fan shroud "should not have a cutout on the top left for the radiator hose, or HOLES FOR BOLTING THE LOWER CENTER PIECE TO THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER."

[John S.]

Re: 55 fan shroud again

The early February car did not have the cut out mid and late cars I looked at did have it. Mine looks to be a 4 piece shroud, a large bottom and 2 small sides and the top,

that Febuary car will also have a different lower shroud piece than the one you posted. instead of two oblong holes, there will be four oblong holes for the lower shroud brackets.