C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

fan/shroud clearance

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 29, 2012 | 09:29 PM
  #1  
hughman321's Avatar
hughman321
Thread Starter
Navigator
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Default fan/shroud clearance

My 69 350/350 runs hot when in traffic on a hot day(85+). The car has been changed around a bit and I am trying to make it original as possible. There is about a 3/4" clearance from the front of the fan and the back of the shroud, so I know some air is slipping past between and not going through the rad. I have been told that the fan should fit inside the shroud, it should extend back and around the fan...i can slip a piece of cardboard between the shroud and the fan. I think there are different water pumps that project further forward and I believe I have the right pump. The AIR is gone, so the belts are not right, there may not be the right stackup on the water pump...I dont know. Should the fan be inside the shroud?
I have pulled the thermostat which didnt really help. I can see flow through the rad with the cap off and engine running, I pulled the rad and had it flushed and flow tested and was told its in great shape....so I'm grasping at straws.

Last edited by hughman321; May 29, 2012 at 09:32 PM. Reason: more info
Reply
Old May 29, 2012 | 10:26 PM
  #2  
drwet's Avatar
drwet
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,233
Likes: 657
From: Thunder Bay
Default

There should be about an inch of fan protruding out the back of the shroud for maximum airflow.
Reply
Old May 30, 2012 | 02:38 PM
  #3  
jetjockey's Avatar
jetjockey
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 793
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Default

Originally Posted by hughman321
My 69 350/350 runs hot when in traffic on a hot day(85+). The car has been changed around a bit and I am trying to make it original as possible. There is about a 3/4" clearance from the front of the fan and the back of the shroud, so I know some air is slipping past between and not going through the rad. I have been told that the fan should fit inside the shroud, it should extend back and around the fan...i can slip a piece of cardboard between the shroud and the fan. I think there are different water pumps that project further forward and I believe I have the right pump. The AIR is gone, so the belts are not right, there may not be the right stackup on the water pump...I dont know. Should the fan be inside the shroud?
I have pulled the thermostat which didnt really help. I can see flow through the rad with the cap off and engine running, I pulled the rad and had it flushed and flow tested and was told its in great shape....so I'm grasping at straws.
Considering the mods you say are on the car, a couple of good photos would get you a lot more help.

Dan
Reply
Old May 30, 2012 | 02:59 PM
  #4  
Easy Mike's Avatar
Easy Mike
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

Do you have the metal shroud or the fiberglass? The correct fan is pretty much inside the metal shroud; less so with the fiberglass shroud.
Reply
Old May 30, 2012 | 06:24 PM
  #5  
Alan 71's Avatar
Alan 71
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,287
Likes: 4,375
From: Westminster Maryland
Default

Hi h,
Are you using a fan clutch, and if so, is it working?
Do you have the various foam seals that are used on all four sides of the shroud and on top of the core support? These are important since they force the air to go through the radiator not around it.
There's also a rubber 'flap' about 3"x36" that's stapled to the lower valance in front of the core support... is it there? It forces the air coming up through the 2 breathing holes in the front valance to go through the radiator.
Maybe a combination of things?
Regards,
Alan
Reply
Old May 31, 2012 | 10:39 AM
  #6  
69 Chevy's Avatar
69 Chevy
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
Default

Originally Posted by Alan 71
There's also a rubber 'flap' about 3"x36" that's stapled to the lower valance in front of the core support... is it there? It forces the air coming up through the 2 breathing holes in the front valance...
My '69 doesn't have that 'flap.' Would you happen to have one of your fabulous pics to illustrate it?
Reply
Old May 31, 2012 | 03:16 PM
  #7  
aussiejohn's Avatar
aussiejohn
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 20
From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
Default Good advice above.



hughman,

Years ago I used to sell diesel engines for a living and one thing I learned about them was the correct position of the engine driven cooling fan. Ideally, about two thirds of the fan should be INSIDE the fan shroud, and about one third OUTSIDE. Obviously this applies to all internal combustion engines, regardless of fuel type.

Sounds like you need a spacer that goes between the water pump and the fan, along with longer bolts. A cheap fix, let's know how it works.

Regards from Down Under.

aussiejohn
Reply
Old May 31, 2012 | 03:57 PM
  #8  
JimT's Avatar
JimT
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 893
Likes: 7
From: Orange Park Florida
Default

Dead-on AussieJohn! And you really do need the shroud sealed to force the air through, and not around, the radiator - very important!
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 1, 2012 | 10:20 PM
  #9  
kkperformance's Avatar
kkperformance
Advanced
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Default

I agree with drwet and aussiejohn, The fan needs to be 1/2 to 2/3 inside the shroud. You may also pour in some of the coolant additives that lower the cooling temp 20-30 degrees. I have seen them work well.
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2012 | 03:40 PM
  #10  
Alan 71's Avatar
Alan 71
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,287
Likes: 4,375
From: Westminster Maryland
Default

Hi 69 C,
It's such a pleasure to finally be able to post a couple pictures for YOU!
You contribute so much, and ask for so little in return!
Regards,
Alan

Flap - right side


Flap - right/center side


Flap - left side

Last edited by Alan 71; Jun 2, 2012 at 03:44 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2012 | 08:13 AM
  #11  
69 Chevy's Avatar
69 Chevy
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
Default

Thank you Alan for the photos and your commentary on my CF participation.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To fan/shroud clearance





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:00 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE