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Shroud Fasteners

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Old Sep 1, 2013 | 04:30 PM
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Default Shroud Fasteners

Somehow the two fasteners that hold the shroud under my CAI came loose so now the sides of my shroud do not seal against the foam behind it. This is allowing dirt, grass, and anything else that can fit in the gap to get sucked into the engine compartment and the entire engine area is covered in dirt. I have tried to put new fasteners in but there just isn't enough clearance between the AC condenser and the hole I need to get to for me to get the thing in there without pulling the condenser and radiator, which I really want to avoid if I can.

Does anyone know of a way I can attach these pieces together the way they are supposed to be without having to remove the condenser and radiator?

Last edited by Corvette_Ed; Sep 1, 2013 at 05:01 PM.
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Old Sep 2, 2013 | 12:06 PM
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Nobody has had this problem before? I'm really trying to avoid the expense and trouble of pulling the radiator and condenser just to put two fasteners in.
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Old Sep 2, 2013 | 03:04 PM
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Are you talking about the two fasteners that hold the radiator shroud to the radiator? They're plastic posts with the thin metal lock that slides on? If that what your talking about, you should be able to find them at your local parts store. The head isn't a full circle, its only about 270* so you can twist it into the tab on the radiator. The shroud does have to come out of the way first.
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Old Sep 2, 2013 | 03:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Rx7Rob
Are you talking about the two fasteners that hold the radiator shroud to the radiator? They're plastic posts with the thin metal lock that slides on? If that what your talking about, you should be able to find them at your local parts store. The head isn't a full circle, its only about 270* so you can twist it into the tab on the radiator. The shroud does have to come out of the way first.
The fasteners I'm talking about would be directly under where the stock airbox sits, about 3/4ths of the way toward the bottom of the shroud; one on either side. They hold the shroud against the foam strip on either side of the radiator that seals the shroud and prevents air flowing through the sides. Finding the parts isn't the problem, I already have those. Putting them on without pulling the radiator and A/C condenser is where the problem lies.
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Old Sep 2, 2013 | 04:16 PM
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Sounds like we're talking about the same thing. I was able to install them just by removing the shroud.
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Old Sep 2, 2013 | 04:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Rx7Rob
Sounds like we're talking about the same thing. I was able to install them just by removing the shroud.
Just so I make sure I have this straight in my head, you're pulling the shroud off completely, installing the plastic push-fastener into the radiator frame, then putting the shroud back on and pushing the metal ring onto the fastener? Is that correct? The plastic piece doesn't move from the pressure being put on it from pushing the metal piece onto it?
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Old Sep 2, 2013 | 05:56 PM
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Originally Posted by 8VETTE7
Unless your shroud (lower radiator support according to the shop manual) is totally warped, it should NOT be necessary to use those two plastic pins and the funky sheet metal nuts. When I took my radiator out the very first time,(over 5 years ago) I had a bitch of a time getting those sheet metal nuts off so it's unlikely they "fell" off yours. More likely a previous owner removed them. When I went to reinstall the shroud I also had a difficult time getting the plastic stubs to come through the holes in the shroud and the result was the center of the shroud was pushed away from the radiator. I ended up just removing the plastic stubs and relying on the top and bottom fastening of the shroud to secure it in place. Without the plastic stubs I have no issue what so ever sealing the foam to the radiator tight enough to prevent any debris from entering from the sides of the shroud. That's been for 5 years!!

I suggest you look to see if the stubs are preventing the shroud from sitting against the radiator and causing your problem.
I believe the shroud has probably become a little warped as I have tried several times now to have just the top and bottom hold the shroud in place and it just isn't working. If I push on the sides of the shroud they seal just fine but don't stay put.

I might have to end up just having to get a new shroud but I'd like to avoid that if at all possible.
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Old Sep 2, 2013 | 06:55 PM
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The shroud may be strong enough as 8Vette7 suggests, but I do HPDE's and feel more comfortable with all the anchors in place at 150+ MPH.

This is a picture of the fastener:


This illustration is not the correct fastener but it shows the head a little clearer.


You have it correct! Remove the shroud and "screw" the funky head into the aluminum radiator tab, reinstall the shroud and push on the locks. It isn't the easiest thing to install but is do-able. I did both of mine that way.
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Old Sep 3, 2013 | 12:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Rx7Rob
You have it correct! Remove the shroud and "screw" the funky head into the aluminum radiator tab, reinstall the shroud and push on the locks. It isn't the easiest thing to install but is do-able. I did both of mine that way.
Thanks Rob, I'll do that in the morning when it's not burning hot outside. I appreciate the help; I hadn't even considered putting the fastener on by removing the shroud, and it's so logical that I should have.
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