radiator fan shroud question

[jfrench]

I remember reading in a radiator/cooling system thread someone recommending cutting the shroud in half to ease removal for future maintenance. As per my usual stupidity, I can't find the thread again.

At any rate, what is the opinion of the collective cruiser community genius on this topic?

Will it negatively affect cooling capacity?

I also can't remember if it should be cut top to bottom or left to right. I would think top to bottom. Anyone?

Thanks.

 

[Texx]

If you're talkin FJ40, you can pull the radiator a hell of alot faster than you can cut the fan shroud. Or, at least I can. Won't hurt anything, just split it at the bottom, but not worth the trouble.

 

[Rocky_LC]

Yes but to pull the radiator - you have to drain it.

If you need to change a belt, fix the fan, replace the fan with a plastic one, this is a handy mod. The other thing that it is good for is when you install the shroud on a FJ-40 that doesn't have one (like mine).

Anything more invasive than this (replace a waterpump), then Texx is right.

It didn't take me long to split my shroud (so I can take the top half off). I put tabs on both sides (secured with a sheet metal screws) in each half to keep the vibrations down.

It's an easy thing to do.

Rocky

 

[3pits]

you are probably thinking about a 60 or 62, at the 62 is a total b*ch to remove anything in the engine compartment with out taking the whole thing apart, so some as I have too, cut the shroud horizontally on my 1988 fj62... there is no difference in the cooling, but the access is MUCH better

 

[jimhendrixx]

Dude, i wouldn't cut the shroud. Not too many of them around.

 

[jfrench]

Thanks everybody.

I already have the radiator out. I wrangled the fan shroud out after so that I could attack belts, fan clutch, and replace hoses. So, since I have it out, I was wondering if I should cut it for future maintenance.

I think I probably did read it in a 60 post.

Thanks again.

 

[bsmith123]

fan shroud

If I remember right it is held in with nuts and bolts. If you weld it might be worth tacking the nuts in place to make it easier.

I don't remember anything difficult about removing it though

 

[D'Animal]

Exactly

you are probably thinking about a 60 or 62.

For easy access on your 40, remove the two bolts on each side of the apron, unplug your headlights and maybe the horn. You may loose a little fluid since you have to remove the top radiator hose as well. The front bib tilts forward, as long as your hing is not froze up. Remove the cross arm braces on the radiator support and you can tip the radiator it forward.