V8 Radiator Shroud Installation

jshcobra

Founding Member
Jul 5, 2000
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After finally receiving my very expensive, but very nice v8 radiator shroud for the Ghia, I raced into the garage and proceeded to break it in two places while trying to squeeze it down between the radiator and the fan. :bang: Some JBWeld, Superglue and 24 hours did a great job of making it one piece again, but this time, I thought I'd gain some knowledge before making another attempt at installation. So, what's the trick? Do I have to pull the radiator out to install it? :shrug:
 
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My question is, if the shroud was being forced hard enough between the radiator and fan for it to break what happened to the radiator fins and tubes?
 
Wart said:
My question is, if the shroud was being forced hard enough between the radiator and fan for it to break what happened to the radiator fins and tubes?

Funny thing is, I really wasn't pushing it hard. I think I may have been more optimistic about its flexibility than I should, but rest assured, no radiators were harmed in this experiment. :D
 
Wart said:
My question is, if the shroud was being forced hard enough between the radiator and fan for it to break what happened to the radiator fins and tubes?

Precisely why I install the shroud first.

That and the fact that I don't have the need to remove the shroud unless the rad is coming out anyway.

With the shrouds (20 year old plastic, think cargo panels) being relatively brittle, I prefer not to stress them by working through them while pulling the fan.

Wonder why the 302 got such a flimsy plastic one, while the 2.3 and 2.8 got heavier units with (apparently) more fiber/composite content? :shrug: