vettesite

Does a stock 1980 L-82 radiator shroud have a door/flap on hinges at the bottom?

The radiator shroud that's on my 1980 L-82 (4 row radiator) has a door in the bottom of it. This door is on hinges that are rivited in place. I guess it is supposed to open when on the highway and close when at idle. It seems like this would hurt the air flow into the radiator.

It looks like Bubba did this but I don't know what stock is supposed to look like. I ordered a new shroud and it did not have this trap door.

Thanks.

:cheers:

Paul Borowski

Yes, even though it kinda looks like a "Bubba" did it, I believe the L-82s came with this "package". I know of a '79 L-82/auto that also has it. I have also seen '77 L-48 four speeds too with this. The hinges and hardware almost look "homemade" on these set ups.

DaveL82

Bubba, GM, at times I think they're the same.

My L82 has the same mechanism and the electric fan

Dave

vettesite

Thanks Paul and DaveL82. I guess I need to call chevy and get the correct radiator shroud. :crazy:

Paul Borowski

Vettesite, it's possible these were "fabricated-in-house" by GM "as they were needed". I'd be even suprised if it was even available. If one is available(an original shroud)from GM, I doubt it'd even come with this set-up. If you DO want this set-up as stock, you may have to call around to C3 wrecking yards to locate one, such as Contemporary Corvette or Michigan Auto Recyclers. I myself wonder if this "trap door set-up" really helps in cooling at all!!! :confused:

1980 razz

i just replaced my radiator support on my 1980 l-82 and had the shroud out but mine does not have the trap door ur talking about ..my vette is all stock as far as i know without mods YET that is..maybe some came with and some without :confused:

thermoquad

interesting thread-glad it was brought up- i have the same trap-door set-up on my '79-i just figured that it was one of those "gyro gearloose" inventions from a past owner-since it was done more than once, i wonder if it might have been the subject of one of those 500 hp for under $2.00 type magazine articles-definitely homemade looking-would be a great vette trivia subject, though

hey- what a forum!

jvm

My 79 L82 has this thing on it also. At least you cann't see it unless your real thin and can crawl under the car!!!

vettesite

FYI

Here is what I learned about the 1980 L-82 radiator/fan shrouds. GM did make the shroud with a trap door for the L-82, part # 14016176. They tried this for a few years and then realized it didn't do much good so the removed it. I checked around and GM does not make this shroud any more and the after market companies don't either so if you want one you have to get it used.

GM does still make the shroud without the trap door. Part # 14028585 for $145.95. This shroud is the same size and does not have the trap door. It will work just fine. The only thing I have to do is modify it by drilling three holes for the small electric fan that the L-82 came with.

81VETTOM

I put one on my 1981, with the trap door thingy, and it is thicker than the original one which cracked. Can't tell if it does any better, but what the heck. :smash: