How to Install An After-Market Chrome Fan Shroud On A Car

A new chrome fan shroud can really excite the look of an engine and serve a major purpose at the same time, which is to protect any foreign objects from getting caught up in the fan blades.

These fan shrouds are available at most specialty auto suppliers or from classic or antique car parts distributors. Typically they come in two different widths, 3 or 5 inches, and installation is really pretty simple once you understand the concept.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Chrome Fan Shroud, 3 or 5 inch width
• Metal snippers
• Pliers
• A helper
• Safety Glasses

1. Before you purchase the fan shroud measure from the surface of the radiator inward toward the engine, checking for clearance in all areas the shroud will extend to, depending on the width of the shroud you desire, 3 or 5 inch, paying attention to the alternator, pulley belts, hoses, AC unit and any other parts or brackets nearby.
   It may also help to look at the introduction picture to get an idea of the curve of the shroud. The one in the pic is 5" wide and does need quite a bit of clearance from the radiator to the engine.

2. Position the shroud being very careful not to poke any of your fragile radiator fins with the edges. The shroud has a metal lip around the side that will face the radiator with approximately 5 to 7 holes in various places within the lip.

3. The shroud comes with the attachments to affix it in place onto the radiator, which are long rigid plastic rods that look like wire ties that feed through the holes on the shroud lip and then through the radiator.

4. With the shroud in the exact position desired run the rods straight through the holes on the lip gently until the rod comes out through the other side of the radiator. The rod is meant to run through the radiator which will bend some fins in the process, but this is normal.
   If you hit a vertical metal rod in the radiator, you may have to remove the plastic rod and go back in on a bit of an angle to avoid the metal tubes in the radiator that carry your coolant.

5. At the front side of the radiator, slip on the part over the plastic rod that will grab and hold the rod and while you are holding the shroud tightly in place from inside the engine compartment, use your pliers and pull on the plastic rod until the self locking end up against the radiator, is tight and flush to the radiator. It is best to start at the top and then work your way criss cross from side to side.

6. Once the shroud is tightly in place, inspect once more to be sure the shroud has proper clearance and is well away from any moving parts or belts. Also, give the shroud a tug in different directions to be sure it is absolutely stable and tightly affixed.

7. Put your safety glasses on and have someone start the car, ready to turn off with your signal as you watch to once again make sure the shroud has proper clearance and is not moving or vibrating. If this is the case, recheck your plastic rods for tightness and reposition the shroud as necessary.

8. After you are satisfied that all is well you can snip off the remaining ends of the plastic rods from the front side of the radiator.

Tips & Warnings

• Do this job when the engine and radiator are cool.
• Wear safety glasses when first checking the shroud for fit and stability with engine running just in case it catches on anything which may eject from the engine compartment at you.
• If by chance your new shroud hangs down too low on the sides or is not clearing all motor parts or any framework, you can always cut it down at the ends for a custom fit.
• The plastic rods to affix the shroud should run through the radiator freely with moderate hand pressure. Do not pound or force the rods through with tools. You do not want to damage any metal tubes in the radiator!
• If the new shroud is unstable, vibrates or moves while the car is running, turn off the engine immediately!

[Chevy64]

on 7/25/2008 Good article. No one ever puts instructions in with these shrouds. Thanks again for good advise!