How much difference does a shroud really make?
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From: shawnee KS
How much difference does a shroud really make?
Got to thinking sitting in traffic today at a dead stop watching my temp gauge climb. (65 F100 2wd 352 4 bbl) I wonder how much better it'd be if I found a shroud for this truck? The truck has never had one since I've owned it, and it really never has been a problem. I have had it mentioned to me that a shroud would help. I realized as I came home and cleaned out my garage, that I happened to have one laying right there from the Bronc that I took to scrap. I took the fan off and put the shroud in then put the fan back in to see clearance. It worked almost perfectly. Used mostly existing holes in the shroud and in the truck. Secured with industrial size zipties. (Trust me they are strong as hell!) Can't wait to see what the highway brings tomorrow. Truck normally runs about 180. Any thoughts?
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Clarksville,Tn
I'm 50/50 on shrouds; back in the day; these trucks ran fine without them; I believe a good combo of a fresh water pump, radiator & fan, make the most of the cooling process. Majority of my problems with over heating is the radiator not flowing clean.
Let us know the difference in stop & go traffic soon.
Mitch
Let us know the difference in stop & go traffic soon.
Mitch
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From: shawnee KS
The only time I have a problem is when the A/C is on in stop n go, or stuck, as in 5 blocks in 25 min on the highway, meaning no where to go. I never use the A/C anymore, so I guess I won't see much diff for a while. Plus- summers over too. I'll let you know if I see any differences though.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
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In stop-and-go a shroud is an absolute must. It greatly reduces engine temp by directing the air passing through the radiator over the entire finned surface. Not having a shroud causes turbulence behind the radiator.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Melbourne, Ky
Shroud will make a big difference in city driving. On newer stuff they put plastic around the sides in front of the radiator to direct air into it.
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From: Heart of Ga.
Originally Posted by cfrives3
The only time I have a problem is when the A/C is on in stop n go, or stuck, as in 5 blocks in 25 min on the highway, meaning no where to go. I never use the A/C anymore, so I guess I won't see much diff for a while. Plus- summers over too. I'll let you know if I see any differences though.
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Sabin, Mn
well, heres my 2 cents worth. These trucks never came with shrouds but then again you have to look at the traffic patterns back then. ther prolly wasnt a whole lot of stop and go traffic and they prolly cooled the motors with water an the gears orignally in our trucks was a lot lower meaning that the motor turned at higher rpm at any given speed to spin that fan faster but with most of us swapping out our trannies with overdrive units and higher gears to get that "optimum" highway rpm, the motor doesnt spin as fast which in my opinion, corrolates to less air being pulled or pushed through the rad. now, i have read that water is the best coolant out there. the anitfreeeze serves as a lubricant and freeze point modifier. with that being said, I agree with the others with the opinion that the shroud is a good idea and I plan to do the same. if my memory serves me correctly, the fan blades should be half in the shroud and half out. realize that this is just my opinion but i figured i'd give it. good luck.
Last edited by 64fordf100292; Oct 3, 2007 at 10:21 AM.
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From: shawnee KS
180 on the highway still. Didn't hit the traffic snag like yesterday, but still quite a slow down. 15 mph for about 3 miles. Never went above 190, and I know it would have before.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
I experienced traffic yesterday and started watching my gauge, because I don't run a shroud. I was driving with shorts on and noticed the heat buildup on my feet and legs from the headers after sitting at the lights. I don't think the temp increased more than 10-15º or so, but the in cab heat was a lot more. After going a stretch of moving steadily, I tried putting it in neutral at the next series of lights and the gauge didn't move up as much.
All trucks while simuliar are different so what applies to one may not fit another when other factors are figured in.
John
All trucks while simuliar are different so what applies to one may not fit another when other factors are figured in.
John
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From: shawnee KS
Hit a snag again today. No difference. Gauge hit almost 240! I wish these idiots would learn to drive, or the highway dept. would figure out how to only screw up one highway at a time.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Escondido, CA
Not only what mixture, but how old is the coolant, have you flushed your system in the last few years, is the timing set correctly, and when did you last test the thermostat? The reason I bring the thermostat up is that the thing will do exactly like you are describing when it starts to go bad.
One word of caution on the zip ties, heat will break them down and they become brittle. You'll have the shroud chewed up by the fan if it falls.
One word of caution on the zip ties, heat will break them down and they become brittle. You'll have the shroud chewed up by the fan if it falls.