22" Fan Shroud Woes

Posted By: Erik

22" Fan Shroud Woes - 06/05/14 11:28 PM

I went to install the radiator in my 68 Barracuda today and when I went to bolt on the shroud, I saw it won't fit my radiator. My radiator is 22" part # 2898028 (1968 A body 318/340) and was beautifully restored by Glen Ray. My shroud is an NOS part, # 2785614 (1968-69 A body 22")

The shroud mounts are a good 1/4" short of the radiator mounts (top to bottom - side to side fit is OK). Anyone else have this problem? Will another shroud fit or what did you do to correct the problem?

Posted By: autoxcuda

Re: 22" Fan Shroud Woes - 06/05/14 11:54 PM

Call glen ray

Posted By: RJS

Re: 22" Fan Shroud Woes - 06/06/14 01:11 AM

Instead of telling us talk to Bob at Glen-Ray the best service you'll ever find.

Posted By: Rhinodart

Re: 22" Fan Shroud Woes - 06/06/14 03:13 AM

You sure you have the shroud on the correct way and not upside down?

Also, you sure it is NOS and not one of the two repops that were done over the last 20 years? The first repops were junk and would explode and ruin the radiator after a few months (sometimes weeks)! The later repops were better but still not perfect.

Both repops have the 614 number on them.

Posted By: moparfan53

Re: 22" Fan Shroud Woes - 06/06/14 04:33 AM

As mentioned above by Rhinodart, there were repops that had fitment problems. They had the Chrysler logo and part# on them so would be difficult to tell from NOS. The link below has info and pics.

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=54223

Here is quote from one of the posts;

"So I was communicating via email with Todd at Hoffmans Winners Circle recently and I mentioned the problem I had with a "614" fan shroud not fitting right and warping into the fan after a very short time. I know others have complained about this. (I believe Hoffmans is the primary wholesaler of these repro shrouds to all the other retailers).

... It arrived today from a plastics manufacturer in Ohio. I immediately compared it to the first one I bought. The cast in part numbers are identical. The Chrysler logo has now been ground off. There are significant dimensional differences in mounting hole spacing (now correct) and even the diameter of the fan opening - from 19" to now 20". When you lay them over the top of each other, the older one looks like a shrunken down version of the current one".

Posted By: ScottSmith_Harms

Re: 22" Fan Shroud Woes - 06/06/14 04:48 AM

If anyone here is curious about fan shrouds simply ask the vendor how they were made. Original shrouds were ALL made using the plastic injection molding process which involves running a large molding machine and metal injection mold tooling, the parts are made of thermoplastic polyethylene resin.

All of the reproductions I've seen were CAST in a soft silicone mold and were made from poured liquid urethane casting resin which is poured into the soft mold and left while it cures solid.

The reproductions look virtually identical to an original but will usually have some small dimensional shrinkage and will have ENTIRELY different material properties in terms of heat resistance, warpage, etc.

Posted By: Erik

Re: 22" Fan Shroud Woes - 06/06/14 03:05 PM

Quote:

As mentioned above by Rhinodart, there were repops that had fitment problems. They had the Chrysler logo and part# on them so would be difficult to tell from NOS. The link below has info and pics.

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=54223

Here is quote from one of the posts;

"So I was communicating via email with Todd at Hoffmans Winners Circle recently and I mentioned the problem I had with a "614" fan shroud not fitting right and warping into the fan after a very short time. I know others have complained about this. (I believe Hoffmans is the primary wholesaler of these repro shrouds to all the other retailers).

... It arrived today from a plastics manufacturer in Ohio. I immediately compared it to the first one I bought. The cast in part numbers are identical. The Chrysler logo has now been ground off. There are significant dimensional differences in mounting hole spacing (now correct) and even the diameter of the fan opening - from 19" to now 20". When you lay them over the top of each other, the older one looks like a shrunken down version of the current one".

I didn't realize the repops had the part number. And mine does have the Chrysler logo ground off so I would have to conclude it's one of the crappy repops. Are the current repops any better?

I am very impressed with Glen-Ray and they did an EXCELLENT job. The shroud fit is really not their issue.

Posted By: kentj340

Re: 22" Fan Shroud Woes - 06/06/14 10:59 PM

If anybody's interested, here's data on a factory 614 shroud from my 69 Barracuda.

The fan opening diameter is 19-11/16" side/side, 20-5/16" up/down, so the factory one has sagged a bit.

The fan opening is off center of the radiator about 5/8" to the passenger side. That is, it is 1-1/4" off the left side of the radiator, 0" off the right side.

Mounting hole pattern is 21-11/16" side/side, 13-1/4" up/down.

Here's a photo of the part number, unseen because it is located on the radiator side of the shroud, upper driver side. Color is charcoal gray, almost black, almost flat with very little shine.

Attached picture 8167939-P1030376e.JPG

Posted By: gtx6970

Re: 22" Fan Shroud Woes - 06/06/14 11:32 PM

1st run or 2 of the shrouds did contain the part # and pentastar.

last ones have nothing cast into them, and are molded more of a grey color than black.

I haven't heard of any issues with the latest ones , but if u have a problem shroud contact the co. you bought it from ( if you know ) or contact Todd Hoffman and he will get you the latest version avail at no charge

Posted By: dart4forte

Re: 22" Fan Shroud Woes - 06/07/14 09:51 PM

Just got mine from Mancini Yesterday. haven't installed as of yet but it looks as if the studs on the radiator line up with the holds on the shroud.

Installed my shroud last Sunday. Had to grind a little to clear the lower rad hose. Fits just great. I have an original A body shroud that has the part number but no pentastar. i'll check the should for my GTS to see what markings it has.

Posted By: Erik

Re: 22" Fan Shroud Woes - 06/10/14 06:12 PM

So after digging through years of receipts, I found that I ordered it from Year One back in 2009. So I called them to send it back and get a replacement and they will do it no problem!

Posted By: LimeliteAero

Re: 22" Fan Shroud Woes - 06/10/14 06:24 PM

Another reason I don't rule out buying from Year One.

They also have a very good (possibly lifetime)return policy on unused parts as long as you have the receipt.

Posted By: Erik

Re: 22" Fan Shroud Woes - 06/20/14 03:17 PM

Year One's replacement shroud arrived yesterday. Fit perfectly. I'll have new pics of the 'cuda's progress this weekend.

Posted By: ScottSmith_Harms

Re: 22" Fan Shroud Woes - 06/20/14 04:02 PM

Heat warpage, sagging, and melting would be the concerns with them. I have no doubt that the reproductions fit. Report back after driving around in the heat this summer and let us know how they hold up.

Posted By: jbc426

Re: 22" Fan Shroud Woes - 06/20/14 04:42 PM

You think that's bad, try finding a fan shroud for a '68 Barracuda with a 22" radiator and a 5.9 Magnum with the serpentine belt. The top inlet is on the driver's side the bottom is on the passenger side the "small" 5 blade fan is 20" in circumference. They also make a fan with like 9 blades that made so much noise that the car sounded like it could lift off the ground at any moment, but boy did that thing move some air! Just too noisy though.

Supposedly a 1974 and up small block with a 22" radiator shroud will work, but I've yet to see one offered anywhere new or used that would fit.

I'm going to have make my own out of 18 gauge steel, bend it without a pan break and weld it up. I may just make a template out of some kind of card board and bring it to a friend of a friend who has all that sheet metal forming gear.

I'll seal the places it contacts the radiator with that high density foam tape with the sticky stuff on one side.

I'll also seal the A/C condenser to the front of the radiator so all the air has to go through both of them like I did on my 1970.