Building a Fan Shroud

renaissance man · #1 (**permalink**) 01-31-2002, 08:17 AM

Has anyone built a fan shroud to force the air from the front opening right into the radiator? I'm also (like many) having a cooling issue. Would this be a recommended step to achieving better cooling? I have a 180 degree thermostat (working fine), Prestone is at 50% mixture and set for 265 degree protection. Temp still at 210 degrees and it's not even hot here in Texas?

Clois Harlan · #2 (**permalink**) 01-31-2002, 10:30 AM

Dave,

I think Enzo at Finish Line sells a shroud kit for the front of the Cobra. If I remember correctly it seemed a little pricey at the time to me. Factory Five may have one too.

CobraEd · #3 (**permalink**) 01-31-2002, 10:32 AM

Why not go to your local hardware store and buy some sheet aluminum, then cut it to fit.

427Aggie · #4 (**permalink**) 01-31-2002, 11:13 AM

Ren,

You should be hard pressed to be overheating as it sits. Do you have any type of puller or pusher fan on the car?

Timing could be an issue also what type of radiator do you have aluminum?

Matt

renaissance man · #5 (**permalink**) 01-31-2002, 12:07 PM

Making a shroud is what I want to do.

I have a puller fan on a stock radiator, no aluminum yet. Why would timing be an issue for water temp?

CobraEd · #6 (**permalink**) 01-31-2002, 12:09 PM

Retarded timing makes an engine run WAY hot.

jwoodard · #7 (**permalink**) 01-31-2002, 12:30 PM

Ren,

I've made an upper and lower shroud for my radiator for the express purpose to force as much air as possible through the radiator. It's made from sheet aluminum. Best way to do this is to make a pattern out of stiff paper or cardboard. Much easier to work with than the aluminum when you're trying to make it fit perfectly. Once the pattern is made, just transfer it onto the aluminum sheet, cut it out and install.

Jim

Rick Parker · #8 (**permalink**) 02-03-2002, 08:32 PM

Ren Man:

I too run a highly tuned 289 but fortunatly I have never had a heating problem. I only use a puller fan. The type being an OEM
Ford electric with a built in shroud. It is similar to what comes on a mid 80's-90's Ford Mustang, Tbird, Cougar and perhaps others. I have used it for several years with out any problems at all. I used it with both brass and aluminum radiators with equal results. I personally think that although it is not the easiest to adapt to a radiator other than what it was intended, it can be done nicely with a little planning and tweaking of the rods that support it as they are integrated with the plastic frame/shroud. The fan motor and blades move a lot of air. I used an electric fan switch sourced direct from a VW dealer (22mm threads). I made a bung and soldered it to the radiator tank above the outlet that leads to the water pump. Hot wired the fan, and used a relay to the an overide switch that was seldom used. Radiator was 24" wide to the outside of the tanks and about 16" tall. As I said this worked for me. I have an extra clean one for sale if some one would like it. $50.00 plus shipping.

Rick

Okiesnake · #9 (**permalink**) 02-05-2002, 08:37 PM

I ordered my shroud kit from Unique. It is made from sheet aluminum. It basically consists of 2 angled side pieces that were first installed on the left and right side of the radiator. Then 2 overlapping pieces were installed on each side. A small piece on aluminum is added to seal the top of the radiator opening. jwoodard has a good idea of 1st make templates out of something like poster board. I pop riveted everything in place.