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Sep 28, 2018 | 03:02 PM

Early '76

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4th Gear

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Early '76

Bought an early '76 with no fan shroud installed but it came with a late '76 shroud and radiator support frame. Am I best off installing the late '76 shroud and support or buying a '73-'75 shroud with extension?

Sep 28, 2018 | 03:11 PM

MelWff

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the early 76 doesnt have the same part number in the aftermarket as the 73 to 75 so why would you use a 73 to 75?

Last edited by MelWff; Sep 28, 2018 at 03:12 PM.

Sep 28, 2018 | 03:41 PM

Early '76

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4th Gear

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72-75 fan shroud

I've been told the 1973 to 1975 fan shroud would fit my early 1976. If you can FIND an original early 76 shroud it costs over $1,000!!!!

Sep 29, 2018 | 01:04 AM

johns_vette

Racer

Joined: Mar 2002

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From: OKC OK

radiator support

so if you have a 76 late radiator support and are planning to use, that shroud is what you will need to use. The difference is the bottom of the radiator support and how its supports the shroud. The early has two studs, the later sits in a channel.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Early '76

Sep 29, 2018 | 06:09 AM

gbvette62

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From: Shamong, NJ

If you use the second design 76 core support and shroud, you'll also need to use the 76-82 radiator and 76-79 hoses. The earlier radiator is about an inch wider. You may need to use the 76-82 fan also, for proper cooling. The second design shroud and radiator uses an 18 1/2" diameter fan, while the earlier design uses a 17 1/2" fan.

I don't have any experience using the 73-75 shroud in a 76, but I think it should work since the core support is the same.

Sep 29, 2018 | 03:59 PM

Early '76

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4th Gear

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72-75 fan shroud

Thanks for the info. Didnt occur to me the fan diameter was different. The car has been upgraded to an aluminum radiator which looks to be a bit thicker than stock so hopefully all will work out.

Sep 29, 2018 | 04:52 PM

gbvette62

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From: Shamong, NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Early '76

Thanks for the info. Didnt occur to me the fan diameter was different. The car has been upgraded to an aluminum radiator which looks to be a bit thicker than stock so hopefully all will work out.

The difference isn't in the thickness of the core, it's the width of the core.

The 73-early 76 radiator has a core that's 27 1/2" wide, while the 76-79 radiator's core is only 26 1/4" wide. Because the radiators are a different width, the location of the saddles on the core support, are in a different position. The shape of the saddles and the rubber cushions that go in the saddles, are different too. If the radiator you bought was a replacement for the early 76 radiator, it will not fit in a late 76 core support.

Sep 29, 2018 | 06:59 PM

Early '76

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4th Gear

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72-75 fan shroud

GOTTCHA!!!! I had no idea the cores were different widths and YES it is the early core support because it has the two mount bolts on the low end. The late shroud and support attaches at the bottom with plastic tabs that slip into the support. Looks like I have no choice than pay the RIDUCULOUS price for an early shroud.