1960 348 fan shroud P/N

[cowsaredelicious]

Can someone tell me the correct fan shroud and fan combination for a 1960 impala with a 348? The shroud I have seems to be too deep...it's about 9 1/2" from radiator mount to back. The shroud opening is about 19 1/2" . It interferes with the power steering pump location (previous owner must have notched around) and makes changing belts a pain.

The fan on the car has a clutch and is a 7 blade design (18" diameter).

Hasn't been a huge deal but I did get a little warm in a 95 degree day when I'm just sitting idle in traffic. I'm installing A/C and concerned it might not be the correct set-up and have heating issues.

Another reason I'm asking is I was reading on another thread that the clutch might not work properly if it sits all the way in the shroud. (i.e the fan should be half in/ half out)

Any help would be appreciated

 

[Last 60]

You are correct, the fan should be 1/2 and 1/2. You have a small block shroud. Some one here may have a correct one you could buy, or if you are handy with a cutting tool you could cut yours down to the correct size.

Lonnie

 

[pvs409]

You have a 59 to 61 Chevy small block fan shroud. A 348/409 shroud is much narrower.
If you have the correct shroud the other problems will go away - your fan should work (the original fans were 5 bladed) and you will clear the PS pump. The 6 bladed fan should help cooling. The fan should be within 1" of the edge of the shroud (closest to the motor)

Nothing new to having a small block shroud on a 348 or 409 motor
I see numerous 348/409 motors with the wrong fan shroud -even some 61 to 63 409 cars that are "original" as the adds state 409 cars with small block shrouds

All 348/409 fan shrouds from 1960 to 1963 will work on your car (their are minor differences in a few of them). I think a 59 348 will also work but I am not sure. I have had all the other years. A 1964 and 1965 409 fan shrouds are very different than the 59 to 61 348/409 shrouds

Here are some pictures of the small block(6 cylinder/283 and 327 ) vs 348/409 shroud differences -the first two pictures are a 348/409 shroud comparison to a 1962/1963 small block (6 cylinder, 283 and 327). Note the difference in width of the 348/409 shroud.
The last picture is a 59 to 61 small block fan shroud like the one you have.

Paul

 

[cowsaredelicious]

Thanks guys,

I'm not afraid to cut it down, worst case scenario I buy the correct one ;-)

but I'm wondering does anyone know the correct/actual depth for the "shallow" 348? Mounting feet to inside edge?

**Also, just further info, what is the reasoning behind the stamped holes in the shroud and standoff from the radiator? just stiffening for the former piece or does it serve a purpose? I would think ( I am not a theromodynamic engineer) that the stamped holes and standoff would cause turbulence in the airflow allowing it to "circulate" the air and draw from the engine bay as opposed to drawing through the radiator??

In my mind a better design would be to have enough of a chamber (~1 1/2" but a sealed/formed piece that is tight to the radiator) to allow airflow from all the surface area of the radiator but eliminate the stamped holes and ability of air to be pulled in that isn't forced through the raidiator.

 

[pvs409]

The correct depth from my 2- 409 fan shrouds that I have off a cars are: 7 & 1/4 inches from the shroud mounting surface to the outside edge of the shroud closest to the motor. 348 shrouds are the same.

I am not sure what you mean about stamped holes ? The mounting holes/90 degree bends on the fan shroud mounts to the radiator support are all made the same on all fan shroud supports all motors

All 348/409 radiators had these square nuts to reposition the 348/409 fan shroud closer to the motor-they where originally welded to the radiator frame on the 6 mounting holes
http://www.show-cars.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=3035
I know one thing the round portion of the 348/409 fan shroud will hit the radiator core without these square nuts on the radiator.

The original 409 radiators where 3 core (I think 348 where the same), all the reproduction 59 to 63 348/409 radiators are 4 core.
I have 4 new brass cores installed on my original 409 radiator brackets to help with cooling.

here is Show Cars 4 core reproduction 348/409 fan shroud (part 7784)
http://www.show-cars.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=7784

There are some on 348/409 fan shrouds e-bay right now or you can post in the wanted section of this forum...

Paul

 

[cowsaredelicious]

Thanks Paul

I've attached two images one outlining the holes I was referencing and I was able to find an aftermarket version of what I was thinking of. Again just interested in understanding the reasoning why they didn't take it to the extra step...I figure it was due to the lower cost of stamping the parts...but then again with the thousands upon thousands they made a simple stamp could have been make to replicate almost any shape...

As mentioned above the original design sees prone to creating turbulence and inefficiencies but that's might just be how I'm thinking about it

just wondering if anyone knows they they didn't enclose the radiator as shown in the aftermarket image?

 

[Phil Reed]

That's original. FWIW....your picture is 63 409 shroud....upside down.

 

[CASHguzzler409]

Hi cowsaredecilious , I do have both fan shrouds if you'd like to take a look, one is a cut down one for a 409,
it was rusty, but was sand blasted and painted, but the metal is not smooth looking like new. The other is for a
small block, very nice, just finished sandblasting it and painting it. $100.00 each + shipping.