CK5
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'89 R3500 Crew Cab 2wd to 4wd conversion & beyond

Started out with 2wd TBI350 with SM465 to current 4wd with 454, 700r4, NP241
Yeah I think it would help to be right in the center on the fan blades as far as stickout from the shroud. I put a rock auto shroud on a small block truck I used to have and it wasn't even close so I extended the shroud with some wide copper plate I came across.
Just to throw more things out there but is there a more aggressive fan available for these trucks? Like more blades or steeper pitch on them? To draw more air at low speeds.
 
I have a guy for that. Honestly one of the things most rewarding things for me owning a business is providing people with good jobs.
Maybe you need a fan sticker

my fan blows

your fan sucks


I think I have a case of the Wades. Getting rummy
 
Just take a body saw to the fan shroud, because you are to lazy to move the drive train back that inch.

I am really no help.
I would probably trim the shroud before buying another fan clutch. The body saw will be easier to control, but I wonder if a small cordless circular saw, used from the inside would be a straighter cut.

I bet that it will be a pain to bolt up a low profile clutch with the fan spaced back. Possibly will be frustrating when you change fan belts too.
 
I was joking about cutting the shroud. Not about moving the drive train.
Huh, well I was serious about trimming the shroud. I saw an article about it back in the nineties. Even did it on a couple myself. The old '72 K5 worked well with a 6.0 vortec fan on a TBI clutch and pump, where it originally had a short water pump and 4 blade fan.
:dunno:
 
Considering the 6.2 big shroud don't grow on trees I'd shy away from cutting.
While I understand this idea, if it doesn't work as is, and other options either make things inconvenient or a lot of work, I would cut it. It isn't like he is trying to keep the resale value of the fan shroud. Moving the drivetrain back to save cutting 3/4" to 1" off of a shroud is not the direction I would go. Why run the engine closer to the firewall, IF there is room? How close is it already? And how many holes need drilled to do it? And driveshafts? Yeah, fan shroud would get worked on in my truck, if the whole perimeter is consistent to allow trimming. But not my truck here.
 
I'm kidding. I would never move the drive train for that. Because it is ridiculous. You are getting way too serious in your old age.:D
 
While I understand this idea, if it doesn't work as is, and other options either make things inconvenient or a lot of work, I would cut it. It isn't like he is trying to keep the resale value of the fan shroud. Moving the drivetrain back to save cutting 3/4" to 1" off of a shroud is not the direction I would go. Why run the engine closer to the firewall, IF there is room? How close is it already? And how many holes need drilled to do it? And driveshafts? Yeah, fan shroud would get worked on in my truck, if the whole perimeter is consistent to allow trimming. But not my truck here.
It's not the resale value. It's the fact that if the cutting does not net the desired results he's got to find another expensive, hard to find shroud. Plus because the radiator is so big to start with those shrouds are fairly narrow. Peeling an inch off isn't going to leave much left.

If he gets a shorter clutch it should give the same effect anyway.
 
It's not the resale value. It's the fact that if the cutting does not net the desired results he's got to find another expensive, hard to find shroud. Plus because the radiator is so big to start with those shrouds are fairly narrow. Peeling an inch off isn't going to leave much left.

If he gets a shorter clutch it should give the same effect anyway.
Since I am the one that brought it up, I said if finding a shorter clutch is not an option and not wanting to move the drivetrain back, he could trip the shroud.
 
Carquest had the shorter fan clutch. I'm going to see if I can use that and fit a couple washers between the fan and clutch. Like @6872xtc mentioned, it's going to be a matter of how far I can pull the fan back and still get it mounted to the water pump. I have studs on the water pump instead of bolts, so I'm hoping that will help.
 
It's not the resale value. It's the fact that if the cutting does not net the desired results he's got to find another expensive, hard to find shroud.

Ya, I knew that you weren't worried about resale, just a sarcastic comment.
And I would bet that @mrk5 wouldn't get all crazy trimming it and make it unrepairable. It wouldn't be that bad in my experience to put the piece back on, just would take work to make it pretty.
Sounds like one of these should get a mold made to be reproduced in fiberglass. I have one for my old trucks that a buddy made years ago, and he then made me one for a spare. Lots thicker than original!
 
Ya, I knew that you weren't worried about resale, just a sarcastic comment.
And I would bet that @mrk5 wouldn't get all crazy trimming it and make it unrepairable. It wouldn't be that bad in my experience to put the piece back on, just would take work to make it pretty.
Sounds like one of these should get a mold made to be reproduced in fiberglass. I have one for my old trucks that a buddy made years ago, and he then made me one for a spare. Lots thicker than original!
I think it's Classic Industries, but one of the websites that sells square body stuff lists new versions of the shrouds, but they aren't currently available. If I need, @kennyw has a shroud I can buy, but I hate to spend money I don't have to. Plus I hate hogging up 2 of these when someone else might need one.
 
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I'm sure you've gone over this at some point but do you have any gaps between the radiator and core support or radiator and shroud that are allowing your setup to not be as efficient as it should be.
 
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