I got tired of fighting my fan shroud every time I had to pull the radiator or change belts so I cut that sucker in half.

I had a non Ford truck with a similar shroud. It was plastic and just as bad to work with. It had been molded in an upper and lower half with factory rivets and staples holding it together. I removed the fasteners and used screws to hold top and bottom together. Removing the top half makes working on belts, fan or radiator R&I so easy so I did it on my 52.

I marked it and cut it in half. Then I made 4 flanges out of 16 gauge steel and welded them on at the joint. Drilled holes in the flanges so I could bolt the top and bottom halves together.

Now I can easily remove the top half of the fan shroud to get to the fan and belts. Much easier to pull the bottom half of the shroud and the radiator if needed.


Long bolts are for mock up. All I had.

Looks like a single flange but there is one on each half.

No paint yet.

 

just curious, is this a frequent maintenance situation with the flathead V8?

 

I did the same thing to mine on my 56

 

No more often than other engines, but a miserable one. Good job, Scotty!

 

Thanks Ross. I see John must have had the same issues and solution

No it's not a frequent maintenance issue. But more than once is too much when it comes to dealing with the shroud. I'm attempting to add A/C and there is a lot of test fitting, belt alignment and length issues as I'm fabbing my own mount.

I also found I need to machine a fan spacer because the fan hits the A/C clutch. All this trial and error means I have to deal with the shroud a lot. Now that it is 2 pieces it's not bad at all. It's even easier to adjust belt tension.

 

Great idea and it looks like it was designed that way all along! I've got to tuck that idea away for mine. I'm not sure your bolts are long enough though.

 

I used the stock shroud but am running a 5.0L Ford engine. It is a pita when I want to drain the rad or remove the alternator. Did not think of this.

 

Scott has eaten another cookie.

Accel distributer, 12V, and now a split fan shroud.

What's next? A stereo? A cup holder? The dark side creeps up on you before you know it.

Seriously though, that's cool. It will help keep the paint on the edges of the shroud and the fan tips when you have to perform maintenance.

 

Great idea Scott! I've had radiator issues and had my radiator(s) in and out at least 4 times. Every time was a pain struggling with that shroud. I have a 6 cylinder engine, but the shroud is still a problem, at least for me. Now what about the hoses? Taking them off and on has been a struggle as well. After they've been on for a while, they are like cemented in place. Putting them on, they seem to be two sizes too small. Anything involving radiators has been unpleasant for me. Thanks for sharing.

 

Effie, don't forget my Dana 60. What's next is A/C! That's the only reason I went 12 volt. And the reason I got pi$$ed and cut the shroud.

 

Be glad you don't have a V8, with TWO of each! The lowers are almost impossible without having the radiator loose and tilted, they are 7" long and the spigots on each side take up about 3" of that.

 

Another win Scott - Keep that fertile brain of yours pumping - I'm sucking this stuff up

 

The last time Dad and I got into an argument was wrestling with the shroud! We had our radiator in and out at least 3 times trying to fix a hose leak. Turns out we had cracks on both outlet flanges. I don't think we talked for about three days LOL. Radiator work is something you need to plan all day for and if you get done early play with your dog and take him for a ride.

JB

 

Good job but may I suggest welding the nuts to your bottom flange if you have not done that already. A lot easier to assemble and four less pieces to fight, drop or lose.

 

I used thread inserts on mine..