Deslok

For those who have replaced the fan and shroud with a dual electric, how did you handle the open area at the bottom of the radiator? With the shroud removed, there is a large open area below the radiator, and it looks to me that it would allow more air to bypass the radiator, or maybe cause a front lift issue.

Any info would be greatly appreciated, Des

BSeery

I know of what you are referring to, but on my 1980 it has a much lower front spoiler. I only have about 2 1/2 inches of clearance and don't think too much air is going under the radiator instead of through it. You could always use some sin and pop-rivets and close it up, but I just left it alone.

1979toy

My fan shroud was broken at the top by a fan blade seperation so I cut the lower section off and left it in place for a while. I held it in with sheet metal screws through the radiator support. I removed it while doing other maintenance and did not reinstall it. I did not notice any differance in my engine temp.

R. Bruno

I have a big opening where the shroud was but it has not been a problem. I am no expert but, with the fan sealed against the radiator, as it is with the dual spals or flexilites like I have, I think it will pull air through the radiator regardless of what is around it. When the car is idling and those fans switch on I can put my hand behind them and feel that the air being pulled through the radiator is HOT when it comes out the back of the fans. I think the shroud is necessary to achieve a similar effect (creating a vacuum) with the engine driven fan which is not sealed against the rad. the way the electrics are.

R. Bruno

BTW Des- how do those Crager SS's fit- Do you use spacers?

71roadster

I dont think this is an issue at all. When I am on the freeway, my electric fans dont even come on unless I am heading up hill on a hot day. If that large gap somehow impeded airflow through the radiator the fans would always be on.

Chris

Deslok

Thanks for the info guys, I'll proceed and see how it works out.

Bruno, on the Cragars, I have an 1/2" spacer from Cragar for them.

Des

Yellow73BB

I put the dual spals on mine, and there really isn't a problem. You do have the front spoiler in place, right? If so, then the air is forced up by that spoiler, and through the radiator. You should try to get the electric fan shroud to touch the radiator all the way around so the fans can't suck air without it coming through the radiator.

R. Bruno

Thanks Des- Cragers look sharp. I have a set of what I think are Appliance wheels that have been on since I got the car. They are nice wheels but a little tame looking and I was thinking about an update. The Torque Thrusts are very nice but so are the old style Crager SS's like yours.

R. Bruno

Thanks Des- Cragers look sharp. I have a set of what I think are Appliance wheels (that also use spacers) that have been on since I got the car. They are nice wheels but a little tame looking and I was thinking about an update. The Torque Thrusts are very nice but so are the old style Crager SS's like yours.

81Gunslinger

Reference the wheels most of the new aluminum wheels were not made for the beefy calipers on the older vettes. On my 81, I had to put longer studs and a 1/4 in spacer on the back but the fronts barely clear by 1/8 inch to front calipers. Wheels shown are American racing ar136. We went to get a second set and american said they would not work at all. as you can see they will with the slight modification of studs.