X 2
<---Benny Hill 
Dewitt Aluminum Radiator, Installation
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
At first we supplied instructions to remove 1/4" of shroud material to make the shroud match the core face with little to no gap. Many people did not like modifying something or didn't have the skill to do it, so we changed to the spacer bars. The spacer bars move the fans back, the same 1/4" that interfered. So... it's one (trim) or the other (spacers) but not both or neither. Those who say nothing is required probably have the shroud crushing fin and bent the shroud. It might fit but that's not the way I'd do it.
Last edited by Tom@Dewitt; Jun 9, 2010 at 08:15 PM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
There seems to be a lot of different opinions about using the spacers vs trimming the shroud, or both. We actually WANT the shroud to end up flush with the core face with as little gap as possible. Any gap is simply a leak, where the fan can pull through. It's kind of like a vacuum hose with a hole in it.
At first we supplied instructions to remove 1/4" of shroud material to make the shroud match the core face with little to no gap. Many people did not like modifying something or didn't have the skill to do it, so we changed to the spacer bars. The spacer bars move the fans back, the same 1/4" that interfered. So... it's one (trim) or the other (spacers) but not both or neither. Those who say nothing is required probably have the shroud crushing fin and bent the shroud. It might fit but that's not the way I'd do it.
At first we supplied instructions to remove 1/4" of shroud material to make the shroud match the core face with little to no gap. Many people did not like modifying something or didn't have the skill to do it, so we changed to the spacer bars. The spacer bars move the fans back, the same 1/4" that interfered. So... it's one (trim) or the other (spacers) but not both or neither. Those who say nothing is required probably have the shroud crushing fin and bent the shroud. It might fit but that's not the way I'd do it.
When I bought the first rad for my 96 I install the spacers and the fan frame was smashing against the rad so I trimmed it.
The rad for 95 I did the same. If you look at the picture you can see that using the spacers and trimming the frame gives it a tight fit but, not smashing against it.
I careless about the trimming, that was easy. Fact is that your radiators are a great piece of equipment for Corvettes.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
The only thing I can think of is that there must be slight differences in the housing/shrouds used from 90-96 because the one we have here worked perfect with the spacers. Your not alone is making this claim. I just wish we could get to the bottom of it so we can give accurate instructions. Maybe we need to double the spacer thickness, so no trimming is required?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 6
From: Palm Beach
The point Tom is trying to make it this IMHO.
1. Trimming is best solution
2. Plan B is using the spacers in lieu of trimming.
There should be no reason to trim and use the spacers.
I did the trim route and got a good tight fit without any undue pressure on the fragile fins.
1. Trimming is best solution
2. Plan B is using the spacers in lieu of trimming.
There should be no reason to trim and use the spacers.
I did the trim route and got a good tight fit without any undue pressure on the fragile fins.
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From: DOUGLASVILLE GEORGIA
It nice to see people drive their vettes like their meant to be driven.I can't stand seeing a "older guy" drive a corvette slow.Whats the point?Buy a Mercury Grand Marquis if you drive slow.I remember one time this older guy was driving a new Zo6 slower than how my grandma drives.OPEN THAT THING UP once in awhile old man
I'm not saying for those guys to speed but at least go with the flowing traffic
