Fan cowling needed or not.
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City OK
Fan cowling needed or not.
73 L82
While pulling the engine this weekend one of the worst parts was pulling the dadgum fan cowling. It was wedged in there so tight between the radiator and the control arms I ended up having to cut a corner off to get it out
I almost cut it in half but then looked at a parts catalog and found a new one was $449. In the two manuals I have it says the big blocks don't even have these cowlings.....so do I really need to put in back in ? Am I flirting with an overheating problem ?
While pulling the engine this weekend one of the worst parts was pulling the dadgum fan cowling. It was wedged in there so tight between the radiator and the control arms I ended up having to cut a corner off to get it out
I almost cut it in half but then looked at a parts catalog and found a new one was $449. In the two manuals I have it says the big blocks don't even have these cowlings.....so do I really need to put in back in ? Am I flirting with an overheating problem ?
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Solana Beach ca
I had the same problem. Used the old radiator to figure out the trick to it and never did. I cut it in half, right and left not upper and lower with a fine toothed jig saw. This was one of the best moves I ever made on the car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,128
Likes: 3
From: Deltona (son of Deland and DAYTONA) FL
you need SOME kind of cowl for any type of fan. Here's an example:
My L48 with the mechanical fan and a small electric puller was fine in any weather sitting in traffic with the A/C on.
Now with a Permacool electric fan only, rated at 2950 CFM, but no shroud, it gets hot sitting in traffic with the A/C on. No A/C is ok.
I have an electric fan with a shroud coming. I'll bet that does a LOT better job.
My L48 with the mechanical fan and a small electric puller was fine in any weather sitting in traffic with the A/C on.
Now with a Permacool electric fan only, rated at 2950 CFM, but no shroud, it gets hot sitting in traffic with the A/C on. No A/C is ok.
I have an electric fan with a shroud coming. I'll bet that does a LOT better job.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,686
Likes: 202
From: Waterford Mi
I have had my rad out several times in the past 12 years and it is a pain. I pull the rad support bolts and remove the headlamp vac cans so I can pull the rad forward as far as possible and still fight to get the shroud off. The PO had cut it up so I bought a new one 10 years ago for about $100. Make sure your seals are there as well. Putting the lower rad hose on with the shroud on is next to impossible so I put shroud in after the rad is in place.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
I had a similiar problem while working on my 76 last night. I decided to rebuild and paint the front suspension. A couple of weeks ago I removed the driver side control arms The shroud was in the way but I was still able to get the upper arm off. last night I was doing the passenger side. No way was the upper arm coming off with the shroud in it's way. Since I am pulling the engine next, I figured I would pull the shroud off. I worked on many cars while working in a garage as a teenager. Figured it's no big deal. Removed the clutch fan and still could not get the shroud out. It looks like the radiator has to come out first or along with it.
Someone mentioned the seals. I believe I am missing one. Are these still available and should they be soft or still. Mine seem to be relatively hard.
Someone mentioned the seals. I believe I am missing one. Are these still available and should they be soft or still. Mine seem to be relatively hard.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by jpatrick636
Fan shrouds are critical to C3's because of the severe angle of the radiator. Also very important, but often overlooked, is the chin spoiler. Put the shroud back in.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Throw the shroud in a box and buy a shrouded electric fan.
I bought the Summit brand 16 incher - plus the controller kit -
less than $150.
It really neatens up the front of the engine bay.
Of course, if you are a stickler for originality ... you have some work to do.
I bought the Summit brand 16 incher - plus the controller kit -
less than $150.
It really neatens up the front of the engine bay.
Of course, if you are a stickler for originality ... you have some work to do.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Originally Posted by mandm1200
I had a similiar problem while working on my 76 last night. I decided to rebuild and paint the front suspension. A couple of weeks ago I removed the driver side control arms The shroud was in the way but I was still able to get the upper arm off. last night I was doing the passenger side. No way was the upper arm coming off with the shroud in it's way. Since I am pulling the engine next, I figured I would pull the shroud off. I worked on many cars while working in a garage as a teenager. Figured it's no big deal. Removed the clutch fan and still could not get the shroud out. It looks like the radiator has to come out first or along with it.
Someone mentioned the seals. I believe I am missing one. Are these still available and should they be soft or still. Mine seem to be relatively hard.
Someone mentioned the seals. I believe I am missing one. Are these still available and should they be soft or still. Mine seem to be relatively hard.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 241
From: Niles, MI
The best way to remove the radiator is to loosen 6 bolts and pull off the hood. Loosen 9 more, remove the lower radiator hose and then remove the radiator, shroud and support all as one unit.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
I've always had an over heating problem with my 78 L-82. I pulled the engine and put in a ZZ4. I also installed a electric fan in front of the A/C condencer and a flex fan from Jeg's. The first time on the track the fan cut off the top of the shroud. So I removed it. Never had a cooling problem again. The temp gage goes up to 200 with the A/C on in traffic Thats not bad living in south Florida. On the weekends I'll drive 200 miles or more. But, maybe it's the new modern engine technology. I don't know.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 12,065
Likes: 2
From: Smalltownville Michigan
Cruise-In 5, 6 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by jpatrick636
Fan shrouds are critical to C3's because of the severe angle of the radiator. Also very important, but often overlooked, is the chin spoiler. with grill openings as small as they are, you gotta help them pull as much air as they can get!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,083
Likes: 2
From: Montreal Qc.
I cut my shroud in half this afternoon, it was quite satisfying especially after the fight it put up coming out!
I drilled and attached two metal plates with some small nut/bolts BEFORE cutting, right on the middle on the bottom, and near a seam/bulge on the top left. Then removed the plates and jigsawed that baby in two.
Now it will be SO EASY to put back in, and SO EASY to attach the lower hose and cooler lines.
Now I have to clean about 4 pounds of grease and old paint off it....
I drilled and attached two metal plates with some small nut/bolts BEFORE cutting, right on the middle on the bottom, and near a seam/bulge on the top left. Then removed the plates and jigsawed that baby in two.
Now it will be SO EASY to put back in, and SO EASY to attach the lower hose and cooler lines.
Now I have to clean about 4 pounds of grease and old paint off it....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,889
Likes: 0
From: I've got wood IL
chin spoiler is ooohhh so important. my 81 didn't have it on, and temps would easily climb to 220+ on the highway, since i've put it on, temp rarly passes 150
i've got a the dual flex-a-lite electric fan set up. i'll never go back to a clucth fan set up. too much crap in the engine bay with it in there.
i've got a the dual flex-a-lite electric fan set up. i'll never go back to a clucth fan set up. too much crap in the engine bay with it in there.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,503
Likes: 1,511
From: Little Rock AR
I think I pulled the radiator out first, then the shroud came out. I ran into that problem when I pulled the engine. No way was I going to cut the shroud. It was shroud first, then radiator on the reassemble if I remember corectly.
Oh, and YES you need to hook up the lower hose to the water pump first. It is a total bear to get anywhere near that puppy with the shroud in place.
-Mark.
Oh, and YES you need to hook up the lower hose to the water pump first. It is a total bear to get anywhere near that puppy with the shroud in place.
-Mark.
