Correct reproduction fan Shrouds 1969 Copper radiator

[John M.]

I'm assessing parts that can be salvaged or need replaced prior to tear down. I have a 69 350/350 Copper radiator with the original shroud (3956109).

Mine is servicable, but has been painted over and is showing it's 40 years with several run in's with the fan on the edge in it's day.

Obviously, I'm looking for a crisp and fresh engine bay and I'm doubting if these are even being reproduced as most had the Aluminum set-up with Surge tank.

Likely even more difficult restoring one and sanding with some 00 steel wool while trying to maintain a molded plastic surface appearance.

Any leads on reproductions or tips on refurbishing the fan shroud?

Thanks

[John M.]

Re: Correct reproduction fan Shrouds 1969 Copper radiator

Wow. I guess this answers my question:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Corvette-NOS-1969-1970-1971-1972-350-cu-in-fan-shroud_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em20Q2el1116QQitemZ310045584760QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

I'll lightly sandblast it and dust it with a light coat of Ultra-Flat long before I lay out this kind of coin for a fan shroud.

[Jack H.]

Re: Correct reproduction fan Shrouds 1969 Copper radiator

"...and I'm doubting if these are even being reproduced as most had the Aluminum set-up with Surge tank."

No... Check out your copy of the AIM. Your car is NOT a base engine configuration. You have the upgrade to optional L46 (350/350).

You should confirm from the AIM that when significant heat producing options were added to the base car (including AT, A/C and/or L46), the radiator changed to the copper/brass configuration with internal vs. exteral expansion space...

[John M.]

Re: Correct reproduction fan Shrouds 1969 Copper radiator

I apologize Jack, but I'm not really following what your saying.

I understand my car isn't base, and that I have a Copper Radiator, and that it appears these shrouds aren't being reproduced other than perhaps service replacements.

I guess I'm missing your point as I asked who carries a decent reproduction or tips on refurbishing an original shroud for the Copper radiator.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Correct reproduction fan Shrouds 1969 Copper radiator

John,

Realize that these were not originally painted - they were raw black/dark gray fiberglass. So, if you paint it you may lose points on the "finish" aspect of the shroud.

I suspect that with some judicious use of files and/or a sanding block you could make the rear edge of the shroud look very good. If you need to repair I'd use a technique similar to what is used to repair spare tire carriers, as explained by Scott Sinclair in a recent Restorer article.

Patrick

[John M.]

Re: Correct reproduction fan Shrouds 1969 Copper radiator

Thanks Patrick,

I do understand the dilema with painting, but as for the fiberglass repair, I have to say that it Really looks like ABS or some type of plastic to me. it is extremely flexible. They may have glass reinforcement or something in it, but at the risk of looking Niave, I'd swear it's a nylon, ABS or some type of plastic.

Very flexible as compared to the tire carrier and definately not typical fiberglass.

I did a sample area with smoothing with steel wool and painting with Ultra-Flat and it looks pretty good.

So it's incorrectly finished original or flat out reproduction. (or $650 NOS)

Are the reproductions offered part stamped, or just functionally close and easily identified as repop?

[Joe R.]

Re: Correct reproduction fan Shrouds 1969 Copper radiator

John,

Realize that these were not originally painted - they were raw black/dark gray fiberglass. So, if you paint it you may lose points on the "finish" aspect of the shroud.

I suspect that with some judicious use of files and/or a sanding block you could make the rear edge of the shroud look very good. If you need to repair I'd use a technique similar to what is used to repair spare tire carriers, as explained by Scott Sinclair in a recent Restorer article.

Patrick

Patrick,

I think you may find that the fan shroud is made of plastic rather than fiberglass. I would suggest that a mild paint stripper be used but check a isolated spot first and don't wait too long for the results.

The 109's and 219's that GM last sold were hard plastic of some kind. Maybe real originals were fiberglass. Just not my area of expertise, as a matter of fact I'm still looking for that area.

JR

[John M.]

Re: Correct reproduction fan Shrouds 1969 Copper radiator

I never thought of that, According to what I'm reading using the search function, GM still sold the 109's until recently. I certainly could have a later year replacment, but it's definately plastic.

Some very light "Heat" application with a torch may also give a fresh surface appearance.

I'll have to experiment a bit.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Correct reproduction fan Shrouds 1969 Copper radiator

Patrick,

I think you may find that the fan shroud is made of plastic rather than fiberglass. I would suggest that a mild paint stripper be used but check a isolated spot first and don't wait too long for the results.

The 109's and 219's that GM last sold were hard plastic of some kind. Maybe real originals were fiberglass. Just not my area of expertise, as a matter of fact I'm still looking for that area.

JR

I've seen the black plastic ones, but also many that sure look "dark gray" and have a waviness to them. Ironically I just took one out of a 72 LT-1 on Sunday but do you think I can remember the color???
I won't be near my 71 to check it out until next week, and no pics of that car on the computer.

[Wayne W.]

Re: Correct reproduction fan Shrouds 1969 Copper radiator

68s had the fiberglass shrouds, but I remember 69s as being the plastic kind.

[Joe L.]

Re: Correct reproduction fan Shrouds 1969 Copper radiator

I never thought of that, According to what I'm reading using the search function, GM still sold the 109's until recently. I certainly could have a later year replacment, but it's definately plastic.

Some very light "Heat" application with a torch may also give a fresh surface appearance.

I'll have to experiment a bit.

John-----


The GM #3956109 and 3956119 shrouds, first used for the 1969 model year, were definitely some sort of non fiberglass plastic material and not fiberglass, per se. I do not know exactly what the plastic was, but, to me, it seems like some sort of rigid polyethylene or polypropylene material. I think what confuses things is that it's reinforced with some sort of "fibers" and it's graphite filled. This gives it somewhat of a fiberglass appearance, but it's not that sort of plastic. It has a kind of "rubbery" feel and pliability. I've never been able to determine just what the name of the material is, but I have not given up.

The 3956119 shroud (for big blocks) is reproduced, but I'm not sure if 3956109 is currently reproduced.

[John M.]

Re: Correct reproduction fan Shrouds 1969 Copper radiator

Thanks Joe.

It does appear that Paragon offers a Shroud for the 68-73 with Copper Radiator.

They break them into different catagories as well for different applications between the years of 68's or 69's and LT1's in different configurations.

Interestingly though, they're describing them as fiberglass but it could be the same issue we see here of an incorrect description.

Under price....... Call. Never a good sign

I think mine is salvagable but at least there are options out there to the $650 NOS shrouds.

[Greg L.]

Re: Correct reproduction fan Shrouds 1969 Copper radiator

John check these out.

http://docrebuild.com/dr-r-web/FAN-SHROUD.HTML

By the looks of it as long as you provide him with the number on your original shroud you should be certain to get the correct repro for yours. The price seems quite reasonable too.

[John M.]

Re: Correct reproduction fan Shrouds 1969 Copper radiator

Very reasonable. Rubberized Plastic he calls it. With textured finish as original.

He also states (match Molded) I wonder if that means he's re-popping them from originals (and perhaps a part number marking as original)

Definately worth exploring this one.

Thanks!!!

[Dennis D.]

Re: Correct reproduction fan Shrouds 1969 Copper radiator

For what it's worth....

Went through this awhile. I found the major difference was in the extension. Now whether or not the shroud actually changed a bit over the years is not clear, but positioning of the shroud staked threads at times do not line up to the extension. Never got a definative answer as to whether it was the shroud or the extension being a bit off.