68 Big Block Fan Shroud

[Michael M.]

Recently replaced the fan shroud in my 68 427/390. The fan shroud that was in my car was a service replacement from GM that I installed around the 1990 timeframe. The fan shroud was destroyed by an unfortunate chain of events (still not sure of the root cause). Anyway, the reproduction fan shroud that I purchased has no rivets holding it together, just glue. The service replacement that was in my car has three set of rivets holding the three separate fiberglass pieces together.

Now my question, did original 68 fan shrouds have rivets holding it together or not. I can easily add the pop rivets of the same size as the service replacement but I would only do so if an original 68 fiberglass fan shroud had the rivets as well. Thanks for any replies.

[Paul O.]

Re: 68 Big Block Fan Shroud

Mike

When was your car assembled and what type of radiator do you have copper or aluminum.

Paul 18046

[Michael M.]

Re: 68 Big Block Fan Shroud

Sorry for omitting that info. Nov. '67 build. Brass/copper radiator.

[Paul O.]

Re: 68 Big Block Fan Shroud

Mike


I asked because some very early 68 with brass radiators could have a metal shroud. Your car should be a fiberglass shroud at this point unless you know for a fact the it was metal. Then if it was one of the odd balls which does happen if so document this for judging purposes. We just updated the manuals for 68-69 we think that the metal one were only installed maybe the first 2 to 2 1/2 months of production. The change over was we think around early Oct. so if you know for sure that the car was originally equipped with the metal shroud. We need to start a survey to document this so we can judge these cars correctly and not make owners change original cars due to a judging manual error.

Paul 18046

[Michael M.]

Re: 68 Big Block Fan Shroud

Paul, you may have misunderstood my question. My question was not whether my car originally came with a metal or fiberglass fan shroud but rather whether the original fiberglass fan shrouds in 1968 utilized rivets to hold the fiberglass fan shroud together. I purchased the car when it was fifteen years old and if my memory is correct the fan shroud was damaged so I replaced it. The fan shroud that was on the car when I purchased it was fiberglass.

The GM service replacement fiberglass fan shroud that I purchased in or around 1990 had rivets holding it together but the reproduction I purchased a few months ago has no rivets as it is merely glued togehter. I can install rivets on the repro but wasn't sure if the rivets were on the prodcution fan shrouds or just on the service replacements (like the one I purchased in 1990).


Sorry for any confusion.

[Henry J.]

Re: 68 Big Block Fan Shroud

Michael:

The fan shroud from my February-built 68 big block is fiberglass. It is glued together, not rivetted. I believe the shroud to be original but I am not certain. I look forward to what other posters have to say about their 68 shrouds.

[Paul O.]

Re: 68 Big Block Fan Shroud

Mike

Sorry for the misunderstanding glue/adhesive only no rivets should have read your post more thoroughly.

Paul 18046

[Wayne W.]

Re: 68 Big Block Fan Shroud

I have never spent a lot of time studying the 68 shroud, but they are essentially the same as the late midyears, and they were just bonded, no rivet. Now that said, to cloud the issue, there were some that were riveted. A sporadic thing, I guess when needed. You do see them. The service assembly was generally riveted, and that is what you have now. So I would remove the rivets.


On the question of early 68 BB with metal shrouds. I have seen them up into the 3000 range.

[Michael M.]

Re: 68 Big Block Fan Shroud

Thanks all. No rivets is better. One less thing I have to do!

[John B.]

Re: 68 Big Block Fan Shroud

Mike


I asked because some very early 68 with brass radiators could have a metal shroud. Your car should be a fiberglass shroud at this point unless you know for a fact the it was metal. Then if it was one of the odd balls which does happen if so document this for judging purposes. We just updated the manuals for 68-69 we think that the metal one were only installed maybe the first 2 to 2 1/2 months of production. The change over was we think around early Oct. so if you know for sure that the car was originally equipped with the metal shroud. We need to start a survey to document this so we can judge these cars correctly and not make owners change original cars due to a judging manual error.

Paul 18046

My 68 L-36 S/N 2466 had a steel shroud and the baffle under the shroud when I got the car in 2001. Original to the car, not sure, but it looked like it had been there a long time due to the condition of the seals.

[Ronald L.]

Re: 68 Big Block Fan Shroud

66-67-68 BB fan shrouds are very different - year to year there are significant changes. I even have a 68 shroud (configuration) with all three 67 parts numbers in it, which were different than the 68 part numbers.

Now to your question on rivets. Typical of the early 80's dated shrouds we have, they were riveted from GM SPO, however the originals are not.

Other than in 1966 there was a period where the shrouds were separating and St Louis riveted them. You can fine more on this by searching back a year or so on this forum.