Sagging Fan Shroud
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2015
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From: Candy Mountain
Sagging Fan Shroud
So yesterday, I took a long drive in the truck and the fan started chewing on the shroud when making turns. When I got home I popped the hood, and the shroud was literally sagging between the top mounting points and the fan was chewing on the low point. The truck was warm for sure, but not over heated. My first choice is to just replace the shroud if I can find one, but that doesn't look to promising yet. Is there any reason I can't reinforce the part I have with some aluminum or steel to help it hold its shape? I know they are flimsy in any case, but jeez.
The body mounts have been replaced, and the motor mounts were replaced with OEM parts a few years ago, so I don't think there is any gross misalignment. That said I don't know how much clearance I should have. Seems like I have a fair amount at the bottom and very little at the top, but if I lift the shroud too far it lifts away from the bottom retainers. This could also be a too far out of shape issue, and maybe some strategic reinforcement could help it?
The body mounts have been replaced, and the motor mounts were replaced with OEM parts a few years ago, so I don't think there is any gross misalignment. That said I don't know how much clearance I should have. Seems like I have a fair amount at the bottom and very little at the top, but if I lift the shroud too far it lifts away from the bottom retainers. This could also be a too far out of shape issue, and maybe some strategic reinforcement could help it?
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 633
From: Houston/Sugar Land
I had one that was damaged similar to what it sounds like you have. My fix was to treat the tear like tennis shoe eyelets and drill small holes along both sides of the tear/cut and then lace it up with safety wire. Worked like a charm. If yours is chewed up this probably won't work.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 151
Likes: 30
I would do that, re drill small holes and use the jb weld for plastic.
i have these clip like metal retainers at the top that my bolt goes through to secure.
i have a good in inch at least 360 degrees around fan of clearance
i have these clip like metal retainers at the top that my bolt goes through to secure.
i have a good in inch at least 360 degrees around fan of clearance
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,912
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From: Angier, NC
If the shroud is to low so the top is hitting the fan and you got room at the bottom of shroud & fan do you think the radiator support could be bad?
They have been known to rust at the mounts along with the frame and this could cause the support & radiator to drop down and hit.
If the is ok and the shroud just sapped from heat I would use a heat gun and heat it so you can get it soft and back up into place.
Then I would use a metal strip bent to the same contour and bolt or pop rivet it to the top of the shroud to help it keep its shape.
Dave ----
They have been known to rust at the mounts along with the frame and this could cause the support & radiator to drop down and hit.
If the is ok and the shroud just sapped from heat I would use a heat gun and heat it so you can get it soft and back up into place.
Then I would use a metal strip bent to the same contour and bolt or pop rivet it to the top of the shroud to help it keep its shape.
Dave ----
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,338
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From: Central Mississippi
I mounted a Taurus fan years ago directly to my shroud. The very back of the fan motor was almost perfectly centered with the water pump shaft.
Ten years or so later I noticed the fan motor dropping lower & lower.
Changed body mounts, particularly the rad supports & bingo... alignment with pump & fan motor restored.
Ten years or so later I noticed the fan motor dropping lower & lower.
Changed body mounts, particularly the rad supports & bingo... alignment with pump & fan motor restored.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2015
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From: Candy Mountain
Spent some time looking things over this afternoon, and compared to the radiator the shroud is visibly out of square on the top, bottom, and passenger side. Assuming I can't find a replacement, I am going to try to bring it back to square and reinforce it with aluminum stock and rivets or bolts. I might use an adhesive too. I will report back either way.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2015
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From: Candy Mountain
The update is anti-climatic.. I found a Ford replacement, F5TZ-8146-AFA, got it installed today. Lots of clearance all around, and no problems so far.
Observations.
The 94 shroud was superseded by an updated part in 95, which is not a long run for the original part. The original part (which was OEM) had slotted mounting holes, and the new part did not. Don't know if the slotted hole is factory or from a PO fighting the same issue I was. I didn't notice any other differences during a quick side by side comparison. The new part is stiffer, but I don't know if there is a difference in material or if the original part is just fatigued. I still think the original part could have been reinforced and put back in service, and I might experiment with it in any case.
The trucks with factory 2 core radiators use a smaller shroud, and they seem to be pretty much non-existent NOS or aftermarket at the moment.
Observations.
The 94 shroud was superseded by an updated part in 95, which is not a long run for the original part. The original part (which was OEM) had slotted mounting holes, and the new part did not. Don't know if the slotted hole is factory or from a PO fighting the same issue I was. I didn't notice any other differences during a quick side by side comparison. The new part is stiffer, but I don't know if there is a difference in material or if the original part is just fatigued. I still think the original part could have been reinforced and put back in service, and I might experiment with it in any case.
The trucks with factory 2 core radiators use a smaller shroud, and they seem to be pretty much non-existent NOS or aftermarket at the moment.
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 368
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From: South Tx
Funny I come across this, I’m installing a zf5 in a 96 f350 7.3
Bought it with the tranny in the bed.. anyway I’m putting the rad back in (also out from the PO) and the fan shroud and fan are no where correct like the engine is back on its heels like 3” back and after dinkin around for 30 min I realized that without the tranny in and under the crossmember that would probably happen….at least that what I hope is happening
Well see tomorrow!
Bought it with the tranny in the bed.. anyway I’m putting the rad back in (also out from the PO) and the fan shroud and fan are no where correct like the engine is back on its heels like 3” back and after dinkin around for 30 min I realized that without the tranny in and under the crossmember that would probably happen….at least that what I hope is happening
Well see tomorrow!
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