C1 1960 Fan shroud and Drag Link interference

[Rick C.]

I just finished adding the two lower fan shroud pieces that have been missing from my car for years. Now I see I have an interference with the Drag Link portion of the steering assembly. When I turn the wheels it will hit the shroud. The interference isn't a lot, but the amount the shroud would have to be bent to avoid interference seems too great to be natural.

I've read several posts on this similar subject, but still am not clear as to what to check. I do know that the longest end of the Drag Link is at the Pittman Arm and the shortest end is towards the front of the car. I believe this is correct from reading other posts.

What else should I be checking?

Thanks, Rick

[Gary C.]

Re: C1 1960 Fan shroud and Drag Link interference

Rick, check to make sure you have 3rd arm cast # 3742688 & idler arm cast # 3731801. Gary....

[Terry D.]

Re: C1 1960 Fan shroud and Drag Link interference

Rick
Can you post a picture? There should be plenty of clearance, sounds like something is bent up. Third arm maybe? If you can't post a picture can you e-mail one to me? Is the pitman arm correct?
Terry

[Rick C.]

Re: C1 1960 Fan shroud and Drag Link interference

Rick, check to make sure you have 3rd arm cast # 3742688 & idler arm cast # 3731801. Gary....

Gary, The numbers on my 3rd Arm Bracket is 3742688, and the Idler Arm is 3731801, the same as you indicated. I found an article by Ray Braatz talking about the differences in years, and it seems my parts are consistent with my 60. I also inspected the bracket for cracks since I learned that it could crack if the car has been jacked up via the bracket, which it has.

One point to note is that I learned that the front suspension assembly may have been swapped at some time. The indicator is that the two holes for the front brake line retaining clips are not there. However the passenger car engine mount holed on top of the cross member are NOT there. The spindle support casting numbers are correct for the Corvette/ So I only know enough to be dangerous. Not sure if this information is of value, but wanted to mention it.

In Terry Deusterman's response to my post he asked for pictures, so I may send them to you also. If there not of value, simply disregard them.

[Rick C.]

Re: C1 1960 Fan shroud and Drag Link interference

Rick
Can you post a picture? There should be plenty of clearance, sounds like something is bent up. Third arm maybe? If you can't post a picture can you e-mail one to me? Is the pitman arm correct?
Terry

Terry, in case it's of value, please see my post to Gary Chesnut's response to my post.

Some comments:

o Both the 3rd Arm and the Idler Arm casting numbers are the same as Gary posted.

o You'll see where the Drag Link hit, then pushed past the fan shroud. I bent it up slightly more so I could drive the car.

o When the wheels are turned so that the Drag Link moves forward, you will see how close it is under the shroud.

o When turned so the Idler Arm is under the harmonic balancer, the clearance between the arm and the Balancer Pulley is 3/8". The pulley is the correct pulley for the 60. (just went through the process of getting new pulleys, balancer spacer, etc. to get alignment correct)

o Also, for what it's worth, I believe I have the correct fan blade. It measures approx 8 1/2 " from tip to center, thus 17".

o Is there supposed to be a spacer between the 3rd Arm bracket where it is mounted to the suspension cross member? Haven't seen anything that would indicate that, but thought I'd ask since it would lower the Idler Arm.

I will probably have to post the pics via multiple postings.

Hope the pictures help. Thanks for working with me on it. Rick

[Rick C.]

Re: C1 1960 Fan shroud and Drag Link interference

Additional pics

[Rick C.]

Re: C1 1960 Fan shroud and Drag Link interference

Last pics. Thanks again for the help.

[Gary C.]

Re: C1 1960 Fan shroud and Drag Link interference

Rick, no spacer between the third arm and front cross member. There were prior, but the 3724688 casting thickened the rear part of the bolt flange by about 1/2" which lowered it on the engine side. Gary....

[Terry D.]

Re: C1 1960 Fan shroud and Drag Link interference

Rick
I've been under my 62 about a dozen times today trying to compare against your pictures. Are the shims between the crossmember and the frame there? The one thing I noticed is that the distance between the top of your crossmember and the bottom of the third arm were it connects to the drag link appears to be greater than mine. Are you sure the third arm is not bent? Is the pitman arm correct? It is different from passenger.
Terry

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 1960 Fan shroud and Drag Link interference

I cant remember what year the third arm used a spacer but it was used , your 60 year may have used it as seen here RED arrow . Can any one here remember when it was used ? Because your cross member is different (not) Corvette as I think you mentioned there may be other problems. I may be wrong looking at your pic. But the third arm seems to be sitting a little to fare back on the cross member where the two bolts go through !

[Rick C.]

Re: C1 1960 Fan shroud and Drag Link interference

Terry, I believe the shim(s) is there, but will have to confirm. I quickly checked the AIM last night and did a cursory glance, and believe it's correct, but need to make sure. Especially since I recall that the owner in the 70's had the front end raised by having put a 1 1/2 inch block between the suspension and frame. Thus, the shims may not be there or correct.

How many shims are on each side? Just glancing at the what's available at Corvette Central a shim appears to be approx 3/16 thick (guessing). Don't know if that would be enough to provide the proper clearance if mine are missing, but certain could explain the problem.

I'll also re-double check the casting numbers. If the third is bent, it's not enough that I can detect it without having something to compare it to.

[Rick C.]

Re: C1 1960 Fan shroud and Drag Link interference

Roy, I'll look at mine again and try to compare the location vs. your drawing and others. If I don't find another solution, would you believe that it would be acceptable to add spacers to mine? I know they would have to be the proper material and I would have to have longer bolts of the correct hardness.

And a couple of other questions... was the unit spaced at both the front and the back, or just the back? Any idea of the thickness of the spacer?

Rick

[Mike M.]

Re: C1 1960 Fan shroud and Drag Link interference

the duntov shim between the frame and the front crossmember is a taper or wedge shape. goes from about 1/4" to near zero. available in repo form.mike

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 1960 Fan shroud and Drag Link interference

Roy, I'll look at mine again and try to compare the location vs. your drawing and others. If I don't find another solution, would you believe that it would be acceptable to add spacers to mine? I know they would have to be the proper material and I would have to have longer bolts of the correct hardness.

And a couple of other questions... was the unit spaced at both the front and the back, or just the back? Any idea of the thickness of the spacer?

Rick

Just the rear about 1/2 in.

[Gary C.]

Re: C1 1960 Fan shroud and Drag Link interference

Rick and Roy, per my previous post the 3742688 negated the use of the shims as the back part of the flange was thickened to compensate for the 1/2" shims. The 1/2" shims were used until 3727511 third arm was replaced by the 3742688 third arm approximately 1957 VIN # 4570. Gary....