Confused
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,178
Likes: 111
From: Plains Pa
Confused
Why is it so hard to install a rad shroud in these cars? Is there a trick I don't know about?? I'm sick of dismanteling the engine bay area! I rebuilt the upper/lower A-arms,they went on ok but fighting with that shroud is just too much! HELP!!!!!!!!!!
:craz y:
:craz y:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 926
Likes: 2
From: Castle Rock CO
Have you pulled the fan, alternator and air conditioner off the engine? While I have not replaced the radiator on my 1977 yet I have found removing them helps a lot with installing the fan shrouds in all my other GM cars of this ERA.
here is a link to Wilcox Tech Docs that might also help.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...c5bcffe4b0872c
here is a link to Wilcox Tech Docs that might also help.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...c5bcffe4b0872c
Last edited by MakoJoe; Dec 27, 2013 at 09:05 PM.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 676
Likes: 36
From: Usa
Racer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 265
Likes: 77
From: chicagoland il
It took two of us to get the shroud on. The core support has to be loose enough to move forward so the bottom of the shroud can swing past the upper control arm rod. Be sure to hook up the lower radiator hose first.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 926
Likes: 2
From: Castle Rock CO
Not hijacking thread but have to say Wow since I have not removed the radiator yet in my 1977 and replaced it yet. Is it really that hard to get back in? I would figure it is as hard to get out as it is to get back in. Everything comes out in a the same reverse order it goes back in. While it does take a little finagle get it back in I would use the same steps I used to remove it. I figure replacing the Radiator on a 1977 Corvette will be about 2 to 3 hours at the most. Pulling the hood adds to added room and mark the hood bolts before performing the work.
If you do not have access to a 2 or 4 Post lift I could foresee some problems reaching into the wheel wells but putting up on Jack Stands at the highest level and removing the tires than using a 3 to 5 step ladder to reach down into the engine bay the entire thing can be reached when on jack stands also.
If you do not have access to a 2 or 4 Post lift I could foresee some problems reaching into the wheel wells but putting up on Jack Stands at the highest level and removing the tires than using a 3 to 5 step ladder to reach down into the engine bay the entire thing can be reached when on jack stands also.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,215
Likes: 1
From: Orlando FL
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 9
From: Winston Ga.
My shroud has two holes on the bottom that slip over posts on the support. You have to pull the support up to allow them to slip over the posts and up/out. It might be what's giving you grief.
The rad support posts point down and the shroud holes are under them.
It's hard to describe. You could cut them off I suppose. It's just plastic.
The rad support posts point down and the shroud holes are under them.
It's hard to describe. You could cut them off I suppose. It's just plastic.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,614
Likes: 350
From: No Where USA
On a 77 I had I sliced the lower part of the schroud so I could squeeze it together. After I installed it I had a piece of sheetmetal and then paced it across the slice and used some sheet metal screws to hold it together. It made it easy to get it in and out.
On my 80 I would put the schroud in before the radiator. Then slide the radiator in.
On my 80 I would put the schroud in before the radiator. Then slide the radiator in.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If 'perfection' is not important to you, just cut through the shroud at the bottom/center from front to back and drill two or three 1/8" holes on both sides of that cut. Then, when installed, make an aluminum plate with matching holes and Pop-Rivet the plate to join the shroud again.
Easy fix, if you don't mind a shroud with a small plate at the bottom.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 215
From: Peoria Arizona
Went through the same thing on our '77. Cut out a small section in the bottom of the shroud - not all the way through, and that made it much easier. If I need the shroud out now, I can just pull the fan and it comes out pretty easy.
Makes you wonder what the engineers were thinking huh?
Makes you wonder what the engineers were thinking huh?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 9
From: Winston Ga.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 119
From: Springfield Missouri
it is not a easy task, and, if you have a new radiator and don't want to screw it up, it gets harder!!!! I left the water pump off, which means the fan is out of the way. No alternator in the way either.