My 1980 SWB Project Truck

[Grim 82]

I can't find the thread now but have you seen the electric fan enclosure that Vile made? If you have the means to make one I would go that route. It really cleaned up the engine bay.

[beastie_3]

If you have electric fans, I don't see a need for a shroud, IMO.

[1980c10]

My fan will not be seen as I will mount it in front of the radiatior(between the radiator and grille), it is a 16 inch fan. I will reverse the blade so it pulls the air through the radiator, there will be no functional shroud. I will use an adjustable t-stat.
does anyone know any reasons this might not work?

I am thinking about using the shroud that was used with the inline 6.
I stretched it 2 inches to fit the new radiator (look on page 5 for the pic).
the shroud only holds the radiator in place it does not continue down the side..etc.
It only covers the top of the radiator, you can see all of it in the pic and it is mounted in place.
I do have mig welder so I can make something different.

I have seen viles pic of the fan set up. It looks good but like I said i am wanting to mount my fans in front.
That is what I would do but my fan happens to fit nicely in front, so why not.

[Grim 82]

Aren't the radiator mounts seperate from the shroud?
If you run the fan in front wouldn't that be a push type? You will want it to work with the oncoming turbulence rather than against it. But I agree, I don't see where a shroud would be required with that setup.

[beastie_3]

It would be "push." You shouldnt have to reverse the blades, just flip the wires; but check with the manufacturer first.

A shroud doesnt hold the radiator in place on our trucks. That is what the top plate is for. It gets bolted into those 4 holes on the core support.

[1980c10]

The piece I have act as both a shroud and hold the radiator in place, this would have only been used on an inline 6 engine.
my only question is wether to use it or not for cosmetic reasons it functions great.
Does it look OK?

The manufacturer's instructions say to flip the blade, it is real easy.

Grim- I believe I would want to pull the air out from under the hood otherwise it would blow hot air off the radiator right on to the engine.
Anyone do this?

keep the feedback coming please.

[beastie_3]

pulling the air out of the engine compartment wont drop your temps any more than the normal way. You will put strain on your fan motor because your fan will be on while you are moving forward, unless you have a on/off switch to use. I dont recommend that because it only takes one time to forget to turn it on. Plus, you will be too focused on what temp the engine is and waiting to turn the fan on when it needs to come on that you will be distracted from driving. Food for thought.

[1980c10]

I understand what you're saying. What about vapor lock etc.? Also you need your fan most when you are idling. I am going to check my cars electric fan to see which way it blows.

[Grim 82]

You could replace the shroud/mount with mounting brackets for a V8 equipped 73-80 that fits your radiator and ditch the shroud, or you could keep it as is. From the pic it doesn't look like an eyesore, and it's ultimately your preference. I don't think you need the shroud for proper functioning though.

You want your fan, whether it pushes from the front or pulls from the back, to draw air in the same direction as the wind force that you will encounter while driving. The radiator gets the brunt of the cooling effect being in front, and then the air flows through the engine compartment and out under the vehicle. Like beastie said, that residual airflow around the motor won't have a dramatic effect on operating temp.

By the way I like what you did with the power steering pump bracket.

[1980c10]

Grim, I believe you are correct sir, after some googling, the general reasoning is that it pulls cool air over the radiator. The air that passes through ends up being cooler than the air under the hood anyway.

Also everything I read doesn't require a shroud of any kind.

[1980c10]

Update without pictures. finally the engine is bolted in, headers are on and a few other things as well.
I completed the e-fan install-it came out nice it is an 16" 8 blade pusher and completely hidden with the adjustable thermostat.
I guess I don't really have any engine specs listed here
so here they are;
'75 350 4 bolt main, .030 over, b and bp, dyno tuned
Vortech heads, 64 cc, heaver springs and radius valve grind.
Flat top pistons (9.7:1 CR)
Crower torque beast cam (mild lift/duration)
edlebrock vortech performer rpm intake
holley 670 street avenger, 68f-72r jets, 1" phenolic spacer
proform dist, msd street fire wires (custom cut), ac delco platinum plugs
(holley) flotech long tube ceramic coated headers, 2 1/2" Magnaflow dual in dual out crossflow exhaust (no cats)
393 HP@5400 and 432 ft lbs tq @4300.
pictures will be coming soon
 

[1980c10]

here are some pics, the engine is just bolted in the mounts, no trans yet. I will be making/modifying the crossember etc this weekend. The valve covers and air cleaner are not the ones I will use. It is dirty in the pics and most things are not finalized but it should give you the general idea.

fuel line and vacuum adv.


brakelines replaced

e fan mounted


one more pic from last summer

[beastie_3]

I wish my engine was that dirty. I like those valve covers, but the air cleaner is too small for me.

[slammed79]

Where are those valve covers from, I've never seen a set of centerbolts I liked until now.

[roadrage41]

billet specialties looks like - http://www.billetspecialties.com/item.asp?cid=29&scid=237&pid=470