• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

To shroud or not to shroud...

nutz4spd

nutz4spd

Well-Known Member
Local time
1:25 PM
Joined
Jan 31, 2023
Messages
116
Reaction score
50
Location
Fayetteville
I'm putting an aluminum radiator in my 62 Dart in place of a 1969 Mopar rad that's falling apart. I have a shroud that was on the '69 radiator and was wondering if it's really needed at this point. I've seen other vehicles without one, but obviously I don't know how the car is driven. I live in NC where the summers are HOT and humid. The fan is an aftermarket belt driven fan. The motor a mild 413. Would it be ok to not use a shroud?
 
You always want a shroud regardless. I run a 4yr old ebay aluminum radiator and I used an AM shroud. Made a huge difference than w/o
 
nutz4spd said:
I'm putting an aluminum radiator in my 62 Dart in place of a 1969 Mopar rad that's falling apart. I have a shroud that was on the '69 radiator and was wondering if it's really needed at this point. I've seen other vehicles without one, but obviously I don't know how the car is driven. I live in NC where the summers are HOT and humid. The fan is an aftermarket belt driven fan. The motor a mild 413. Would it be ok to not use a shroud?
Click to expand...
No. You need a shroud. There is no good reason not to run one.
 
Shroud for sure. It concentrates the “pull” of the fan through the radiator
 
Ideally you want one third of the fan out of the shroud. Doesn't matter about the distance, fan to radiator, as long as it's not too close, one inch maximum. One inch clearance from the end of the fan blades to the shroud opening seems to work.
 
I agree. Use the shroud. It will make a difference. And you already have it!
 
I'm using a Griffin stock appearing radiator with no shroud and a stock fan and clutch. I'm in Alabama and no overheating issues.
20220426_162759.jpg
 
Just an fyi humidity affects humans but your engine temperature is purely temperature difference.

A shroud is a good idea.
 
You "might" get away w not using a shroud, but why? Why does everyone try to reinvent the wheel, think they are smarter than engineers? It is not hot in NC or AL, lived in both places. It's "hot" in AZ, my summers regularly hit 125°. Quit reading "Hotrod" magazine n thinking your car should "run" at 180° and you need a colder t-stat. I've got a 496" stroker, a/c and have no problems in my 125° summer in slow or stopped traffic. Only thing special is large tube 2 row aluminum 26" radiator and Flowkooler water pump. Use a shroud!!!! And a fan clutch "if" one will fit.
 
Well then, I guess that answers my question. The new radiator should be here tomorrow, and I'll drop that in over the weekend along with the fan shroud. Imma itchin to get this thing back on the road...
 
diesel_lv said:
You "might" get away w not using a shroud, but why? Why does everyone try to reinvent the wheel, think they are smarter than engineers? It is not hot in NC or AL, lived in both places. It's "hot" in AZ, my summers regularly hit 125°. Quit reading "Hotrod" magazine n thinking your car should "run" at 180° and you need a colder t-stat. I've got a 496" stroker, a/c and have no problems in my 125° summer in slow or stopped traffic. Only thing special is large tube 2 row aluminum 26" radiator and Flowkooler water pump. Use a shroud!!!! And a fan clutch "if" one will fit.
Click to expand...
Dude, relax. It was just a simple question.
 
Max Wedge cars in 62 did not come with a shroud. As far as hot in Alabama is concerned, I saw 110 degrees last summer. My car has never approached hot. I will agree that a shroud helps in air flow, but that's not all that needs to be addressed in a proper working cooling system.
 
It is always best to use a shroud. The shroud needs to be sized to fit the fan.......

You say you have an aftermarket fan.......if the OD is smaller than the shroud is designed for, the benefit of the shroud [ considerable ] is reduced...or lost altogether.

Make sure you seal the gaps around the new rad.....& also the gaps between the shroud & the rad. You want to make sure that ALL the air is drawn through the rad.....not around it.
 
62 Dart with a rebuilt 383 hp, aluminum radiator, stock 8 blade fan, no shroud, no issues.
If I had a shroud that fit I'd probably put it on, but it ain't broke at this point, driven it in 90+ traffic.

I also have a 67 bb a-body, factory bb radiator, Hayden 2947 low profile fan clutch, Derale 18" fan, 180 stat, no shroud, no room for a shroud really, zero temp issues, drive it everywhere in every kind of traffic/weather. Since I added timing control it runs cooler.
Hayden clutch and the Derale fan are a great readily available combo.
 
To shroud... or, not to shroud. That is the question. 'Tis nobler to be with shroud than without.
 
In my hunt to lower engine temp I found an OEM shroud my car had as a fleet package/AC. I installed this. Went from a 4-blade to 7 fan. Did several other things though, getting the desired result before opting for a larger radiator. Got a bit concerned about after-market shrouds reading some stories about messing up air flow going from bad to worse; though some of this has to do with fan position as posted. Reading some other posts might try going back to the 4-blade fan as the 7 is a lot heavier than the 4.
 
I even saw a difference using a shroud with my dual 11” spal fans. I had this setup custom made like 15 years ago. Monster Fluidyne alum rad, dual 11” spal fans. Paid like 900 which back then was reasonably big money at the time. Thought I was big pimpin.

Pretty stock 440 in my 68 charger. Still ran over 200 even with 160 stat.

I found an aluminum 2 hole shroud and it’s made a big difference. I have the fans set to turn on at 170 and it holds 170 steady now.
 
How have you secured a shroud on an aluminum radiator? I have a Champion 21".
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

nutz4spd
AutoCityClassic's Radiators-Any good?
Replies
8
Views
1K
bcOH67
bcOH67
jteck10
Fan+shroud part numbers for 26" radiator
2
Replies
27
Views
2K
68 Sport Satellite
68 Sport Satellite
W
Fan Shroud
Replies
6
Views
1K
Gus chiggins
G
62maxx
IS there a suitable fan shroud for a Champion Radiator?
Replies
6
Views
2K
furyus
furyus
E
Engine runs hot in slow traffic
2
Replies
22
Views
2K
1KoolBee
1KoolBee
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top