Fan & shroud clearance A Body 1968
February 25th, 2014, 09:26 PM
#1
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Fan & shroud clearance A Body 1968
My car (1968 442) originally came with an 18" fan (which I kept) and a 3 core radiator (which i would like to keep on the car until I rebuild the 455 engine in the some what near future than buy a 4 core radiator) I also have a 19 1/2" fan with clutch that I would love to use but it doesn't clear the 1969 fan shroud (part # 402995) spacers are a little less than one inch for the 19 1/2" fan and 2 2/16" for the 18" fan. Question: assuming that the 18" fan fit in the 1969 (part# 402995) (which it should) fan shroud is there a different fan shroud used for a 19 1/2" clutched fan in 1968 or 1969 or I just need to figure out how to get more clearance? (I honestly can't think of any other way). Any help would be great!
February 25th, 2014, 09:42 PM
#2
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The 68 shrouds are different.
I had the same problem with both shrouds in attempting to use a clutch fan but once I went back to 4 blade no issues and that is what I ultimately did. I know that doesn't help you. But the clutch fan was hitting the bottom of shroud.
Know this is where it gets further complicated in 68 they say only the a/c cars got shrouds, which there was a recent thread on.
Hope that helps Dean
I had the same problem with both shrouds in attempting to use a clutch fan but once I went back to 4 blade no issues and that is what I ultimately did. I know that doesn't help you. But the clutch fan was hitting the bottom of shroud.
Know this is where it gets further complicated in 68 they say only the a/c cars got shrouds, which there was a recent thread on.
Hope that helps Dean
February 26th, 2014, 12:05 AM
#5
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The 68 shrouds are different.
I had the same problem with both shrouds in attempting to use a clutch fan but once I went back to 4 blade no issues and that is what I ultimately did. I know that doesn't help you. But the clutch fan was hitting the bottom of shroud.
Know this is where it gets further complicated in 68 they say only the a/c cars got shrouds, which there was a recent thread on.
Hope that helps Dean
I had the same problem with both shrouds in attempting to use a clutch fan but once I went back to 4 blade no issues and that is what I ultimately did. I know that doesn't help you. But the clutch fan was hitting the bottom of shroud.
Know this is where it gets further complicated in 68 they say only the a/c cars got shrouds, which there was a recent thread on.
Hope that helps Dean
February 26th, 2014, 03:14 PM
#6
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Location: West Michigan
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Check out my second post in this thread:
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...fan-blade.html
I didn't research back to 1968, but the 6-bladed fans with thermal clutch on 1970 A-bodies was only 19" diameter. The 19-1/2" diameter fan appeared in 1971. So I'm guessing 1968 was only 19" as well.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...fan-blade.html
I didn't research back to 1968, but the 6-bladed fans with thermal clutch on 1970 A-bodies was only 19" diameter. The 19-1/2" diameter fan appeared in 1971. So I'm guessing 1968 was only 19" as well.
February 26th, 2014, 03:58 PM
#7
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Since you aren't incredibly concerned with originality try buying a shorter spacer. Any parts store sells generic spacers. The fans hit at the bottom of the shroud because of the way the shroud is coped up at the bottom. If you use a shorter spacer it will pull the fan further out of the shroud. I have a 7 blade. The attached pic is how I originally had it set up and it hit on the bottom. I wish I had a pic of how I've got it set up now but I can't find one. I've also got a four core top plate that pushes the radiator even closer to the fan (I'm using a standard top plate right now). One of my projects this spring is to put an even shorter spacer in so I can use the four core top plate. It's for looks only because I'm running a single core radiator. BTW I'm not sure where my fan came from. It's not a 68 for sure
Last edited by allyolds68; February 26th, 2014 at 04:03 PM.
February 26th, 2014, 04:14 PM
#8
Sammy70 455 Supreme
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Port Perry, Ontario
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The 68 shrouds are different.
I had the same problem with both shrouds in attempting to use a clutch fan but once I went back to 4 blade no issues and that is what I ultimately did. I know that doesn't help you. But the clutch fan was hitting the bottom of shroud.
Know this is where it gets further complicated in 68 they say only the a/c cars got shrouds, which there was a recent thread on.
Hope that helps Dean
I had the same problem with both shrouds in attempting to use a clutch fan but once I went back to 4 blade no issues and that is what I ultimately did. I know that doesn't help you. But the clutch fan was hitting the bottom of shroud.
Know this is where it gets further complicated in 68 they say only the a/c cars got shrouds, which there was a recent thread on.
Hope that helps Dean
..forget it, I read the thread.....
Last edited by sammy; February 26th, 2014 at 04:23 PM. Reason: Correction
February 26th, 2014, 04:45 PM
#9
Randy C.
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Albany, OR
Posts: 3,263
Just curious - my '68 4-4-2 (400 engine) has heavy duty cooling (4-core radiator) and the original 6-blade fan with clutch. When I restored the car, the original shroud (398248) was gone and the replacement shroud was the '69 model year unit (402995). I ran with the '69 shroud for 5 years and then found an original '68 shroud, which is now on the car. I didn't have any problem with either shroud. Is the opening for the '69 shroud bigger than the '68 shroud? Would there be a difference between the 400 engine and the 455 engine as to where the fan ends up? Again, just curious. My "bone-stocker" didn't have any problems with either shroud.
Randy C.
Randy C.
February 26th, 2014, 05:27 PM
#11
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I believe the diameter is 19 inches and had a clutch.
Weird I tried putting one on mine and attempted with both a 68 and 69 shroud and was putting shims anywhere and everywhere. So went to original four blade.
Now my 69's no issues what so ever far change overs.
Oh good glad they worked out
February 26th, 2014, 05:29 PM
#12
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[QUOTE=allyolds68;660654]I just looked at the assembly manual and it doesn't look like any spacer was used on the 6 blade heavy cooling fan. Probably the longer water pump though[/QU
the pumps def longer on a/c and or w cars - 398681's were half inch or so longer I think
the pumps def longer on a/c and or w cars - 398681's were half inch or so longer I think
February 26th, 2014, 06:21 PM
#13
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Yes, 5.1" short pump for std cooling
5.6" medium pump for HDC.
Interestingly, my '68 W30 appears to have come with HDC Y72
Many things changed before it came to me
I recall having that fan to shroud interference at the bottom, cured with a hack saw. Back then, ribless originality was not any concern. I believe I was combating overheating at idle due to the evil combination of poor fuel, retarded timing to suit fuel and CA emissions, and lack of a Thermostatic Vacuum Switch [due to lack of provision on the 1967 intake]. Among the things I tried was a boneyard clutched fan and shroud. Fan hit shroud, though it did not on the donor car. I thought perhaps the motor mounts were squished or incorrect. There was no internet back then.
Searched and found a ribless '68 shroud at long last... then I swear in the Asm. Manual it says OAI cars did not get a shroud. But, they did get AC pulleys on the longer AC WP to match- duh. Well, OAI used the KA water pump pulley, which is known to use the 5.6" pump.
So, it came with
HDC Y72 4-core radiator
Longer O-4002xx water pump
NO SHROUD
presumably a clutched fan
KA WP pulley
possibly the KC 3 groove crank pulley
5.6" medium pump for HDC.
Interestingly, my '68 W30 appears to have come with HDC Y72
Many things changed before it came to me
I recall having that fan to shroud interference at the bottom, cured with a hack saw. Back then, ribless originality was not any concern. I believe I was combating overheating at idle due to the evil combination of poor fuel, retarded timing to suit fuel and CA emissions, and lack of a Thermostatic Vacuum Switch [due to lack of provision on the 1967 intake]. Among the things I tried was a boneyard clutched fan and shroud. Fan hit shroud, though it did not on the donor car. I thought perhaps the motor mounts were squished or incorrect. There was no internet back then.
Searched and found a ribless '68 shroud at long last... then I swear in the Asm. Manual it says OAI cars did not get a shroud. But, they did get AC pulleys on the longer AC WP to match- duh. Well, OAI used the KA water pump pulley, which is known to use the 5.6" pump.
So, it came with
HDC Y72 4-core radiator
Longer O-4002xx water pump
NO SHROUD
presumably a clutched fan
KA WP pulley
possibly the KC 3 groove crank pulley
February 26th, 2014, 10:17 PM
#14
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Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Alexandria Virginia
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Since you aren't incredibly concerned with originality try buying a shorter spacer. Any parts store sells generic spacers. The fans hit at the bottom of the shroud because of the way the shroud is coped up at the bottom. If you use a shorter spacer it will pull the fan further out of the shroud. I have a 7 blade. The attached pic is how I originally had it set up and it hit on the bottom. I wish I had a pic of how I've got it set up now but I can't find one. I've also got a four core top plate that pushes the radiator even closer to the fan (I'm using a standard top plate right now). One of my projects this spring is to put an even shorter spacer in so I can use the four core top plate. It's for looks only because I'm running a single core radiator. BTW I'm not sure where my fan came from. It's not a 68 for sure
February 26th, 2014, 10:30 PM
#15
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Could it be that....
The fact that I have a dealer installed 455 instead of the stock 400 it's hitting the shroud? I have tried everything that I could think of including motor mount. It has improved since I changed the core support mounts (the ones I had on the car were too thick and I didn't use any shims) and know it accepts the 4 blade fan without hitting the shroud so perhaps I need to find a 19" clutch fan as its a close call at the moment.
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