Fan Shroud

So I finally found a replacement radiator but the fan shroud doesn't fit. It is too narrow to fit on the sides of the new radiator like it does on the old radiator.

Are the original shrouds sacred? For some reason I am hesitant to start cutting, bending and welding on it to modify it to the new radiator.

Would I be better off getting some thin sheet metal and starting from scratch and saving the old shroud for posterity?

Part of me says chop it because I can't use it for anything else, the other part says save it.

What say you?

 

Lots of articles online about making your own fan shroud. Looks like you can make a buck from foam, or from stretchy fabric. The fabric method looks better to me. In both cases you cover with fiberglass cloth and resin. Low-tech, and looks like a fun project.

Custom Homemade Fiberglass Fan Shroud (I used the Bing cache to get around the login requirement - you can find plenty of similar articles eleswhere on the net).

This is better - Making a Custom Fan Shroud - Route 66 Hot Rod High

 

As far as I know, there were 2 radiator widths. 17 inch, and 22 inch. Parts suppliers only show the 17. My CJ5 had a 22 inch. Partsdude 4x4 said they had one for a Jeepster that was 22. Got it. Fit perfect. Butttt.... $139 plus tax. It is fiberglass.

 

Thanks Lee. I think I looked at that one too. I just can't see paying as much for a shroud as I did for the radiator. Maybe I am just cheap like that. I would rather rework the one I have than pay that kind of $$. I haven't priced sheetmetal lately but surely I can make a shroud cheaper than $140!

 

Could you just make some brackets to make the shroud wider? Just some simple angle brackets out of flat stock? Just a suggestion.

 

I would think this would be a very simple solution.

 

I'll take another look at the bracket idea. That was my original thought but I think it would put the shroud too far from the radiator and too close to the engine unless I trim the shroud.

The new radiator has a double flange on the sides. One on the front to mount the radiator to the jeep, and another on the engine side to mount the shroud to. The old radiator did not have the flange on the engine side and the shroud screwed to the side of the radiator.

I'll try to get some pics this evening.

Thanks for the ideas.

 

Try it without the shroud. I've never had 1 on this cj. I did scrap the oem fan and
replaced with a plastic flex fan. Never overheats!

 

I think I spent $45 making one, not too tough. Here is a link to the first post (there are several follow-up posts as well)...

What Did You Do To Your Jeep Today?

 

I need to build something like that. Is it all just sheet medal? How much difference is it making?

 

Well, I wasn't really having an overheating problem, but wanted to make sure it stayed that way in hot or slow-moving off road conditions. So, more of a preventative/reliability thing. It is definitely pulling more air through the radiator, so that's a good thing.

It is all just sheet metal. I had a local fab shop bend the basic pan (as I dont have a pan/finger brake). They used a little heavier gauge than needed, but that's what they had on hand. It was like $45 or so including the material.

I cut out the fan circle with the plasma cutter and welded on the flange around the fan. They sheared the 1" strip for the flange material too in that price.

Not difficult, just be very precise in your measurements and clearances.

There are good youtube videos on forming them out of fiberglass as well, but I went this route and it worked out well.

 

I built my own out of heavy gauge sheet metal....two piece so it's easy to remove.
I made a cardboard mock up and copied that.

 

OP here...My radiator is still in the box it came in. I got sidetracked with some family health issues and work. Now I am down for another month due to bilateral carpal tunnel surgery.

I did have a chance to eyeball things back when I posted, and I am liking Rick Whitson's bracket idea the best. I'll try to remember to get some pics when I am up and going again.