Any Difference Between Origininal/Reproduction 409 Fan Shroud?

[msmit62]

Does anyone know if there is a way to tell the difference between an original 409 fan shroud and an original unit? I have one that is in great shape, all repainted and ready to go, and I'm wondering if it is a reproduction unit or not. Maybe there are slight differences in the stamping or hole sizes or something like that that someone is aware of. Thanks!

Matt

[models916]

Only repos I have see were all fiberglass.

[Rockfish39]

Depends on what year car your trying to get a shroud for. IF it is a '65 car most of the ones that I have seen are fiberglass also. The closest that I have found to a steel repop piece is:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1964-1965-CHEVELLE-FAN-SHROUD-NEW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34204QQitemZ4569877 226QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

But that shroud is obviously for a Chevelle and may have to be modified to fit Impala. The overall shape and look of it is OK for a 396 car, but is incorect for 409.

What you trying to do????

Rock :cool:

[msmit62]

The shroud I have is for a 62 409 application. It came off of a restored car but the gentleman that I bought it from didn't do the restoration himself.

Matt

[SteveD409]

Replicas are made by taking a small block shroud, cutting it down and then rolling the edges.

SteveD

[msmit62]

So they're not made from scratch? Any of them? If that's the case, then mine is a very nice original piece!

[Impalaguru]

One quick way to check for an original is to run your fingers over the edge of the shroud. On an original there will be maybe two or three very small cut marks. They are very shallow. You'll feel the edges with your fingers. These are hard to describe, but if they're there, you'll feel them.
Ross

[msmit62]

By "cut marks" do you mean burrs or an actual shoulder/step?

Matt

[Impalaguru]

There will be a step down. The edges you will fell are the corners of the step down.
Ross

[gearhead409]

let's see if anyone has this answer. why does the 348-409 shrouds have these steps on the edges???

[SteveD409]

Just a pure guess, but maybe 'locators' for when the two halves are welded together. :dunno

SteveD

[msmit62]

Impalaguru,

I checked my shroud and I do feel (I can see them too) the notches. They are pretty much a 90 degree step and maybe about 1/32" deep?? Does that sound correct?

Matt

[gearhead409]

that would be my guess too. every 59-63 shroud i have ever seen has these steps and notches. i would think if a guy went to the effort to cut a small block shroud down and re-roll the edge, he would also cut the steps and notches.

[msmit62]

Maybe I'm confused here...when you said "re-roll the edges", does that mean that the original shrouds have rolled edges? I thought that only the repros were rolled b/c they were cut-down. If I'm off base, then I should also ask this: when I checked for the "notches" I felt the trailing edge (engine side) of the shroud itself and not any of the supporting bracketry. Is that correct?

Thanks,
Matt

[SteveD409]

Maybe a better way to say it would be to 'flair' the edge toward the engine.

[gearhead409]

all 59-63 fan shrouds have a 3/8" radius roll to the outside of the shroud at the side facing the engine. if you were to cut down a small block shroud you would loose this rolled edge.

[msmit62]

I'm going to have to check mine and see if the edge is rolled. It seems to me that it is just cut off flush and not rolled. Is it possible for someone to post a photo of their shroud? I'll let you know what mine is like after I check it tonight.

Thanks,
Matt

[msmit62]

OK guys...I had a brainfart. My shroud is in fact rolled on the engine side. I also feel the little edges/steps that were described in an earlier post. So now where does that leave me?

Thanks,
Matt