on my 76.
Getting the fan shroud out
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 338
Likes: 9
From: South Bend IN
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Getting the fan shroud out
I am in the process of replacing the radiator on my '79 and cannot get the fan shroud out. I have taken all of the suspension and control arms off and I'm still having trouble getting it out. It does have A/C, do I need to remove it to get the shroud out? Which side should I take out first, it seems like the passenger side but I haven't had any luck yet. Thanks for the help.
P.S. I am replacing the front suspension while I'm at it and shop called and the new control arm bushings are in so once I can get the radiator in the suspension can get put back together and I can drive again.
P.S. I am replacing the front suspension while I'm at it and shop called and the new control arm bushings are in so once I can get the radiator in the suspension can get put back together and I can drive again.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
On my '74 there are two little studs on the radiator support that catch the bottom of the shroud that they put in to make you crazy. You can wiggle it off, with care and a large inventory of swear words, once you know where they are.
When you finally get it out, I recommend a Sam Adams or a Bass Ale.
When you finally get it out, I recommend a Sam Adams or a Bass Ale.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 27
From: Eastern North Carolina
On my 81 the shroud would not come out until I had the radiator out first. Lean shroud towards the engine as far as you can, wrestle out the radiator and pull out the shroud...Good Luck Tim
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 367
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From: Jackson MO
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,374
Likes: 224
From: Beecher Illinois
I just finished detailing the motor in my 78SA. Had everything off the front of it, fan, pulleys, water pump, AIR pump and brackets, AC brackets and the compressor pushed aside.
Shroud came right out. Lifted on the pass side first and it pulled right out.
Shroud came right out. Lifted on the pass side first and it pulled right out.
Last edited by KapsSA; Jul 28, 2011 at 02:20 PM.
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Burning Brakes
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From: Loir Valley Sarthe, France
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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I actually sent a letter to Corvette Magazine about this after they said that the suspension needs to come out to remove the shroud and rad. It doesn’t!
As I’ve had the radiator in and out of our 78 at least 5 times in 21 years (and can now do the entire job in little over an hour) I know that the shroud will come free once the rad is out, and it doesn’t need to come out to remove the rad. As said, just move the shroud as close to the engine as possible (I have sometimes removed the fan, which makes things a little easier.) Then the radiator will lift out. Then, if necessary, lift out the shroud.
As I’ve had the radiator in and out of our 78 at least 5 times in 21 years (and can now do the entire job in little over an hour) I know that the shroud will come free once the rad is out, and it doesn’t need to come out to remove the rad. As said, just move the shroud as close to the engine as possible (I have sometimes removed the fan, which makes things a little easier.) Then the radiator will lift out. Then, if necessary, lift out the shroud.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
I couldn't get the rad out without taking the shroud out and I couldn't get the shroud out without taking the radiator out. Not easy with A/C on a '73.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 363
Likes: 72
From: Somers New York
When I put a DeWitts with dual fans in my 79 last year, I got the old rad out by removing the fan, dismounted the alternator and AC compressor from their brackets and laid them aside on the inner fender panels. I also has to remove the top 2 of the 3 core support bolts on each side and the bottom core support bolts and then I could rotate the top of the core support toward the front of the car about 2 to 3 inches. If I remember right, the shroud then came out without too much difficulty, then lift the drivers side of the rad up then you can wrestle the passenger side out. Some people will recommend taking the hood off, but I didn't have to. Working by my self I had the old one out in a few hours. I did have to enlist the help of my neighbors teenage son to help me hold the new rad on the install. Since the new rad had electric fans already mounted, I didn't have to worry about reinstalling the shroud. The whole job was done on a Sunday afternoon.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 66
Likes: 1
Ok, we got it out how do you get it back in?
I managed after several hours to get it out. The radiator is at the Rad shop being repaired. Now how do you get it back in. Do you install the rad with the shroud or each one seperate?
Advanced
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Annandale Virginia
I was presently surprised after all the trouble getting it out. I think the trick is the radiator comes out before the shrowd.
