Fan Shroud Options

[mattywilz]

So I've been looking for a fan shroud for some time now for my B350 powered Gladiator and have had no luck finding one (except for a $500 NOS gem that I had to pass on ). The shroud that came on it originally looked to be right but is in 3 pieces and large chunks are gone... makes me wonder how that happened...

I currently run the stock 4 blade fan(no clutch)/no shroud and my temps creep up at idle to about 220 after a couple minutes. Driving around it is fine, stays around 180 so I'm thinking it is probably an airflow issue. Radiator has been recored, has a new heater core, and tstat. It has become a royal pain the arse while trying to get the carb dialed in at idle. It is sort of like a race to get it right before I have to shut the engine down and I'm sick of it.

I've emailed zack at zm jeeps about his fiberglass amc version shroud and he said a number of Buick powered owners just use this one and drill out the proper holes for the right fit. Anyone here use this shroud? I really do not want to tackle making one out of fiberglass..

[BrunoD]

If you are interested,I have a metal fan with 7 blades,the same as yours with 4 blades,I also have the same 7 blades in fiberglass. Anyone of them for $25.00 plus shipping,Just a thought.If you are interested,send me a PM.BrunoD.

[sean Buick 76]

So I've been looking for a fan shroud for some time now for my B350 powered Gladiator and have had no luck finding one (except for a $500 NOS gem that I had to pass on ). The shroud that came on it originally looked to be right but is in 3 pieces and large chunks are gone... makes me wonder how that happened...

I currently run the stock 4 blade fan(no clutch)/no shroud and my temps creep up at idle to about 220 after a couple minutes. Driving around it is fine, stays around 180 so I'm thinking it is probably an airflow issue. Radiator has been recored, has a new heater core, and tstat. It has become a royal pain the arse while trying to get the carb dialed in at idle. It is sort of like a race to get it right before I have to shut the engine down and I'm sick of it.

I've emailed zack at zm jeeps about his fiberglass amc version shroud and he said a number of Buick powered owners just use this one and drill out the proper holes for the right fit. Anyone here use this shroud? I really do not want to tackle making one out of fiberglass..

Sorry for the late reply!

Have you tried the IFSJ forum to find a shroud?

Your best bet might be to swap in an electric fan. If you hit the junkyard you might be able to find a 90s Lincon mark 5 electric fan. This is one of the better fans out there.

Once you get the fan sorted out make sure you set your base timing and then adjust the idle mixture screws to get max vacuum when the truck is in gear. Then set your idle speed and you should be good.

[lkmarsh]

Never yet seen the OEM shroud for the Buick Jeep. My guess is they were too weak in too many places. Cutting up a new shroud makes no sense to me. May as well grab something close from the wrecking yard and make it fit. I found a steel shroud and cut it down to fit. Running a 19" 7-blade flex fan, no clutch, a four-core, and now it never gets hot. Getting caught in traffic was a problem, but now it's all good.

[Macjeeper]

Hey all,

I've had 4 sets of radiator fan shrouds that all eventually crack and fall apart due to the heating and reheating of the thin fiberglass shroud and become brittle with age.

I still have two upper sections of the shroud, the bottom edge usually breaks first, then it splits in half at the top of the fan arc or near it.

I will eventually pattern a replacement new hand made fiberglass shroud.

Last summer, I ran without my fan shroud, custom core radiator worked out on my 1970 J-3000 Gladiator.

A friend from the CA_FSJA on yahoogroups hand built his shroud 2 years ago.

Mac

[doc]

If you go with the lincoln electric fan,, which is your best option,,, you will have to install a higher amp alternator,, or it will run your battery down with you driving it......you will need 100 amps...

[mltdwn12]

Funny I just saw this post. Mike at TA hooked me up with a guy with one of these trucks. His shroud got busted up when the fan let go. The bottom piece was busted out and he also said this was a common weak point on these things. So I told the owner I can put his back together enough to make a mold and then produce a copy for him. I'll probably use a vinyl ester or marine resin which should make for a stronger shroud. The electric fans are one way to go, but if a guy wants to keep the stock set up, I may be able to help. I'm working this project in parallel with my hood project so I can get this relitively smaller project completed. If you have any qustions, you can e-mail me at mltdwn12@q.com Here's some pics of the busted shroud and one of the initial mock up of getting the shroud back together. I have to tweak it a little more and then epoxy it back together before doing the final finishing prior to making the mold.

Luckily this guy had an extra busted shroud because I have to graft in a piece where the trans line goes on the lower left.

Craig

[randyre]

Any idea what the projected cost will be? I don't have a shroud at all, so I hope this would be a complete replacement without needing a bustes one for parts.

Randy

[mltdwn12]

Haven't gotten to the part where I'm buying materials yet, but I'd say way less than $100, closer to 50 or 60.

[Macjeeper]

Thank you Craig for having a source at TA Performance.
Can Mike get a MFG Co to build one or know where we could get the dimensions of your sample?
I have halves but not the complete lower portion.

Mac

[mattywilz]

Here is an old picture I just dug up on my computer, it has the dimensions listed, but I'm not sure how accurate they are. I can email the image to anyone that wants/needs it.
f4443934.jpg

[swampedge]

Craig, where are you at with this project? I'll give you one hundred dollars for one if it's slick looking. Let me know if you're interested.
Thanks: Jim

[mltdwn12]

Just finished screwing, gluing and pasting the busted up part back together It's primered now, this weekend I should get it painted so I can make a plug off of it. I'll have a part for sale shortly.

[swampedge]

I'm in line for a couple. Please post pics as you go. I've wanted to make these before but do not have the time or knowledge to do so.
Jim

[swampedge]

How are we progressing?
Jim

[Macjeeper]

I'm sure all the old Buick powered Wagoneers & Gladiators are broken.

That rebuild looks really nice, thanks for taking on the project, I'll look forward to the end result.

Can't wait, although my custom 4-core hasn't had any problems last year without.
It'll be nice to feel good again.

Thanks, Mac
1970 J-3000 Gladiator

[swampedge]

Any new info? Progress? I've recently installed a 454 in mine so a fan shroud would be nice.

[mltdwn12]

Yes, getting there. I painted the "plug" with urethane this past weekend so I can prep it to pull a mold off of it hopefully this coming weekend! Kind of a pain with the shape, I have to make it a 4 piece mold due to the shape of the thing.Not too big a deal, just a little more work than having something simple that you can do with a one piece.

[swampedge]

Look'n good.

[Macjeeper]

Thanks for the update and pictures!

Have you decided what version of materials you plan on using for the the mold?
Do you pour as a liquid?
Or make layers of fiberglass cloth?

I'm not very knowledgable on the fabrication fiberglass process.
I'm curious to build a version out of cold rolled steel? With hammer and bending?

Thanks, Mac

[mltdwn12]

Have you decided what version of materials you plan on using for the the mold?
Do you pour as a liquid?
Or make layers of fiberglass cloth?

I'm not very knowledgable on the fabrication fiberglass process.
I'm curious to build a version out of cold rolled steel? With hammer and bending?

Thanks, Mac

Probably go with fiberglass mat and vinyl ester resin. The resin is also know as Marine resin, it's the standard for boat building and has a good strength to weight to cost ratio. Pouring a part would require an enclosed mold, which for something that I may sell 5-10 parts, is cost prohibitive. I'll get the mold going this weekend and then lay up a test part. I have a local guy who brought me the busted up shroud. I'll have him put the part on and see how it fits. If you were a good fabricator, you could easily make one from metal, that however is me I can beat the stuff into shape, but it wouldn't be pretty!

[mltdwn12]

Well I started laying up the fan shroud mold this weekend. This has to be built in 4 pieces. So you can see the top and bottom section are being laid up first. Each piece has a flat flange built into it. Then I'll pull the flange dams off as well as the paper protecting the sides, and then lay up the side pieces. Once all four pieces are laid up, I'll drill and bolt the flanges together. Pop it off of the plug and trim it and start prep to get ready to make the first copy of the shroud

[swampedge]

Look'n like progress. I'm still in on a couple if'n they turn out nice. Where the bolt holes are can you pre drill a piece of metal and add to the inside of the layers for reinforcement? Thanks: Jim

[Macjeeper]

I would most likely purchasing at least 2 fan shrouds.

How many do you think will be manufactured?

Thanks,
Mac

[mltdwn12]

Heck, I'll sell as many as I can The big thing will be to get the first new shroud out of the mold and make sure it lines up and works OK, luckily the guy that originally got me started on this project is local and I can have him check the first one out shortly This past weekend I finished up the first half of the mold and got it trimmed. I just need to clean up the area where the flanges meets the shroud and then start waxing the remaining red portion. I should get the remaining portion laid up this coming weekend. I'm real curious to see how this mold comes out. It's the most complicated mold I've made so far, having four seperate sections.