69 L46 fan shroud alignment problems

[Richard R.]

I need some help on this one. the car is a 69 350/350, copper radiator, no A/C, M21.

When I bought this car there was no fan shroud extension on the car so I am not sure how this is supposed to fit, and of course, this was one of the areas I didn't take enough pictures of before I took it apart. I am told that I should have a fan shroud extension but I have not bought one yet. The bottom of the fan shroud, on the passenger side, extends below the cross member by about 1/4 to 3/8" and makes me believe that a shroud extension would interfere with the cross member and I wouldn't be able to install it properly. Looks like I would need to raise the radiator assembly by almost 1/2" to allow the shroud extension to clear the cross member and fit. But then again, I am not sure how the thing is supposed to fit.

I reinstalled the two shims on each side that was between the radiator bracket and front crossmember (off the frame extension). I have pried up on the radiator bracket thinking that if I added additional shims under the radiator it would solve my problem. However I can't put enough shims in that place to make a big enough difference in the shroud position. I will include some pictures of both from the front of the car and from the engine side.

Any suggestions out there on how I can correct this problem so I can install the shroud extension? In fact, are there any pictures that show how the shroud extension fits on this application?

Rich

[Richard R.]

Re: 69 L46 fan shroud alignment problems

putting this back on top for comments/HELP!

[Mark E.]

Re: 69 L46 fan shroud alignment problems

Richard,

You may be fine. The extension fits along the inside circumference of the main shroud, which means it sits higher than the shroud an amount that's about the thickness of the material.

My '70 454 AC car has a shroud that looks like yours (same PN for these two applications?), and the shroud is aligned with the crossmember about the same as your photos... and the extension fits just fine. Try it out and let us know.

[Richard R.]

Re: 69 L46 fan shroud alignment problems

Thanks Mark. I studied some of the on-line catalogs and the print versions as well to look at the part a bit closer. I can see on some where there is more material on the mating area of the extension. I didn't notice that before.

I will go ahead and get a shroud extension and give it a try. I will see if I can find an original somewhere first. I'll let you know if it works.

Thanks so much!

Rich