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  •  » fan shroud - need opinions on which one to get

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    11/29/2015 10:32 AM  #1

    allmymoney66
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    From: Camden Point, Missouri
    Registered: 11/07/2013
    Posts: 38

    fan shroud - need opinions on which one to get

    I have a 66 with a 302 and will install air conditioning in the future.  I was wondering if I should go with the standard fan shroud or the 3.5 inch one that is also available.  I know neither are probably great quality but if it were yours which one would you go with?

     

    11/29/2015 10:54 AM  #2

    jerseyjoe
    I FYI 24-7

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    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 789

    Re: fan shroud - need opinions on which one to get

    It depends where your fan blades are,I like the fan blade center to be just past half way into the shroud,but I also like the fan to be not more than 3/4" to 1" from the radiator...jj

    "Never put a question mark where God put a period "  Richard Petty
     

    11/29/2015 1:47 PM  #3

    True74yamaha
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    From: Salt Lake City
    Registered: 5/07/2013
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    Re: fan shroud - need opinions on which one to get

    If it was me I would go buy an electric 94 3.8l taurus fan and newer 3G or better alternator. That way your engine will keep plenty cool and have the correct amount of electric charging power.

     

    11/29/2015 1:49 PM  #4

    True74yamaha
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    From: Salt Lake City
    Registered: 5/07/2013
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    Re: fan shroud - need opinions on which one to get

    Also on that note if your 302 isn't s serpentine belt setup you could upgrade to a newer serpentine setup off a explorer and when doing so you can use the corresponding explorer alternator.

     

    11/29/2015 5:01 PM  #5

    MS
    Forum Originator

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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 12,661

    Re: fan shroud - need opinions on which one to get

    The bottom line is there just isn't a good shroud made for the 17" stock radiator.  If you upgrade to a 20" (67-79 bolt-in) or a 24" 67 clamp-in style, you will have a lot more cooling capacity and there are original style shrouds available that actually work.  Even the original shroud for a 65/66 was a joke.

    I am not into the big alternator thing unless there is a good reason.  Same with electric fans.  My 66 has a 427 stroker in it using a 70 radiator (same as the 69 clamp -in) with A/C, power windows and locks and a big ignition system, using a stock type alternator and belt system with a manual Ford 17" flex fan from a 74 Maverick 302.  It does not overheat and has plenty of electrical power to run everything.

    Just because you CAN bolt all that stuff on there doesn't mean you have to in order to make the car work quite well.  But a good working radiator, fan shroud and fan will help you have peace of mind.

    http://www.mustangsteve.com/radiators.html

    Pic shows my daughter's 65 with a 69 20" radiator and shroud.  Almost a direct bolt-in.  The 67 24" takes a bit more work.

     

    Last edited by MustangSteve (11/29/2015 5:04 PM)

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    11/29/2015 5:12 PM  #6

    Rudi
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    From: Stuck in the 50's Welland Ca
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    Re: fan shroud - need opinions on which one to get

    The 70 rad has a pass in and a driver out, this alone is a huge reason it cools more efficiently than the earlier pass in and out rads.

    Good work ain't cheap, Cheap work ain't good!
     

    11/29/2015 6:17 PM  #7

    BillyC
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    From: Chesapeake, Va.
    Registered: 4/02/2013
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    Re: fan shroud - need opinions on which one to get

    Most of you wont agree with me but I have a modified 289 in my 66 with a stock size aluminum rad and 6blade fan and no shroud. I live in southeastern Virginia and have never had an over heating problem even when I was running the original stock rad. I changed the rad when the trans cooler part of it blew out after I converted to a T5.

    "anyone that stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty"Henry Ford
     

    11/30/2015 11:14 AM  #8

    TimC
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    From: Wheaton, Illinois
    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: fan shroud - need opinions on which one to get

    Once you have committed to a radiator, that makes the shroud choice easier.  The 69 & 70 Mustang radiators give you great factory shroud choices.  If you are committed to the 65/66 stock style radiator, the factory style shrouds seem a little light on function.  I have searched for years, and the only decent option I have seen for the stock radiators for 65/66 cars is the Northern Radiator Hurricane shroud kit.  The part number is Z40025.  It is a blank canvas, and you will need some metal skills & tools to use it, but it works.  You need to cut the hole for your fan size, etc., but you can get a functional shroud for the 65/66 radiator from this kit. 

     

    12/01/2015 3:50 PM  #9

    allmymoney66
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    From: Camden Point, Missouri
    Registered: 11/07/2013
    Posts: 38

    Re: fan shroud - need opinions on which one to get

    Are there aluminum radiators that will accept a factory fan shroud?  It seems the brass ones have gone up in pricie quite a bit.

       •Thread Starter
     

    12/01/2015 5:04 PM  #10

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 12,661

    Re: fan shroud - need opinions on which one to get

    Stay away from the Champion brand with the square tanks.  There are some (Laurel Mtn Mustang) that have a more OEM looking tank and mounting flanges.  The 67 shroud bolts to the radiator flanges unlike the 65/66.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    12/01/2015 6:37 PM  #11

    Rudi
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    From: Stuck in the 50's Welland Ca
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 4,072

    Re: fan shroud - need opinions on which one to get

    I tried in vain to find a commercially made shroud for my “square tank” Champion rad, nothing out there would give me what I wanted so I had to resort to making one myself. Not all that hard to do but certainly a neat project if you want to give it a go.
     I took a stock 17 inch five blade flex fan and cut it down to a bit under 15 inches. 
     The combination cools my 331 in 90+ weather with the air on in slow traffic  - - -  better than the big buck electric fan that was on there previously.      

    Last edited by Rudi (12/01/2015 6:41 PM)

    Good work ain't cheap, Cheap work ain't good!
     

     

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