C3 radiator shroud
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 102
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C3 radiator shroud
I noticed that in the parts books that an early C3 had the $1200.00 radiator shroud. What serial number cars had these? All the parts books just say early 76. What is the difference in the expensive one and the $200.00 one? I need a new shroud and I think I might have that early one. Just my luck!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 109
What book are you referenceing from,I would not be paying either of those prices for a shroud.
What year car do you have ?
Willcox has many,nothing close to 1200.00
http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...sort=3a&page=2
What year car do you have ?
Willcox has many,nothing close to 1200.00
http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...sort=3a&page=2
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
I noticed that in the parts books that an early C3 had the $1200.00 radiator shroud. What serial number cars had these? All the parts books just say early 76. What is the difference in the expensive one and the $200.00 one? I need a new shroud and I think I might have that early one. Just my luck!
All I've seen are variations for small block, big block, A/C or no A/C.
Can't imagine how a shroud could ever cost $1200.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
What year shroud do you need? For 76 there can be two. Early cars had the A6 AC compressor and shroud. Late cars got the R4 AC compressor and there were changes to the radiator support and fan shroud for these cars.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Naturally, asking price and actual selling price may be two different amounts.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2010
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shroud
I clicked on the Wilcox web site that 71 Corvette posted and there it is a $1200.00 fan shroud for a early 76 corvette. My vette is a 76. The shroud on it has been cut in too. I am getting my radiator leak fixed and thought I'd just get a new shroud but I'm not paying $1200.00 for it. I think I will just JB Weld the old one and put it back on. Looks like someone cut mine in half with a hack saw for some reason. Its been on the car and working ok so I think I will just put ot back on.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Since yours is already cut in two , don't glue it together, make a couple stainless backing plates so you can bolt it together. It can be done to look professional. It was probably originally cut for the purpose of easy removal anyway.
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7th Gear
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7
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From: Ormond Beach Florida
Hello Mike, I have what Appears to be a 68 Fan Shroud....Having Trouble with the Part Numbers, Three Peice Top 3888269 with (8883) stamped after it, RH 3935571,LH 3935572. Read Somewhere it was Made by General Tire as a GM Replacement! If I could Find out if in 1968 OEM was a Three Peice Design and the Correct Part Numbers would be Great. Been Looking though My Reference Material and Online without alot of Luck. Thanks in Advance for Your Time,Jim
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Hello Mike, I have what Appears to be a 68 Fan Shroud....Having Trouble with the Part Numbers, Three Peice Top 3888269 with (8883) stamped after it, RH 3935571,LH 3935572. Read Somewhere it was Made by General Tire as a GM Replacement! If I could Find out if in 1968 OEM was a Three Peice Design and the Correct Part Numbers would be Great. Been Looking though My Reference Material and Online without alot of Luck. Thanks in Advance for Your Time,Jim
The plastics division of General Tire may have made the originals.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 954
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2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I put on my 68 SB an original 68 BB fiberglass shroud + the two extension pieces (replacement) to solve heating problem that I have with the small metal shroud.
Avner
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
Why would anyone buy a radiator shroud that costs 25% of what the whole car is worth (average value....maybe not yours)??? 
Get a used shroud at a Corvette parts swap meet or fix the one you have. [I would use the plate/bolts approach, myself. In fact, if I ever have to remove my shroud again, I will intentionally cut it at center/bottom so it can be easily removed and add the plate/bolts. I've done the 'as is' removal and reassembly before...and it isn't "fun".]
Get a used shroud at a Corvette parts swap meet or fix the one you have. [I would use the plate/bolts approach, myself. In fact, if I ever have to remove my shroud again, I will intentionally cut it at center/bottom so it can be easily removed and add the plate/bolts. I've done the 'as is' removal and reassembly before...and it isn't "fun".]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
I think noonie is right about the reason the shroud is cut in half. I recently replaced by radiator with a Dewitts aluminum one. It was impossible to get the shroud out because the bottom bulge interferes with the control arm and bolts. A friend and I tried for hours to get it out but couldn't.
In the end we cut it in half with a hand held air saw and rotated it out the passenger side. Top piece first then the bottom piece.
While the two halfs were out I made a connection for both sides out of a flat piece of aluminum, some machine screws & lock washers and painted the brackets black. Then, after installing the two halfs I assembled the brackets on both sides. You can't even see the splice but if I ever have to take the radiator or the shroud out it will be an easy task.
There was no way I was paying $250 for a shroud let alone $1200.
BTW...the car is a '73 small block with A/C.
In the end we cut it in half with a hand held air saw and rotated it out the passenger side. Top piece first then the bottom piece.
While the two halfs were out I made a connection for both sides out of a flat piece of aluminum, some machine screws & lock washers and painted the brackets black. Then, after installing the two halfs I assembled the brackets on both sides. You can't even see the splice but if I ever have to take the radiator or the shroud out it will be an easy task.
There was no way I was paying $250 for a shroud let alone $1200.
BTW...the car is a '73 small block with A/C.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Indy Indiana
