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Alan,
I have 2 ‘66 big cars and have been down the shroud road. First up, a shroud really helps with cooling. Well done searching for something that’ll make the car work better (especially in modern traffic).
Olds only made one shroud in 1966. They used the same shroud on the big cars as they used on the Cutlasses. This will make your searching easier, but the downside is that the factory Cutlass/Big Car shroud only covers about 2/3’s of the big car radiator as a result of the parts commonality. The radiator’s left side (driver’s side) 1/3 is left uncovered so the fan doesn’t pull through it.
I’ve tried later year Olds big car shrouds including a Toronado shroud from ‘68 or ‘69, but they don’t fit. Then upper and lower mounting holes are different. Each year Olds changed the front ends for styling and each year the shroud mounting holes changed too, so there’s not really any year-on-year crossover at all.
Where I wound up was using a ‘66 Oldsmobile shroud, cutting off the left (drivers side) edge, and grafting the wider Toronado left edge onto it. My terrible, but useful, hack was simply drilling and zip-tie-ing the two pieces together. It’s held up fine for 8 or 10 years and the cars stay cool since the (7 blade clutch) fan pulls from the entire radiator.
While you’re in there, replace the masticated rubber front-of-radiator side curtains and lower curtain. These act like a “front shroud” and force incoming air through the radiator core to cool the engine with maximum efficiency.
If my use is any guide, a good 7 blade clutch fan, 4 core copper/brass radiator, shroud and front curtains are all you need to keep these cars between 180F and 200F - their intended operating temperature range.
I have a shroud that is from a Cutlass. Can't remember if it was 1966 or 67. If I can find a part number or take a picture I'll post it. Located in Greenville SC.
May 1st, 2022, 10:53 AM
