I purchased a 55-57 CHevy Truck Fan Shroud for V8 from here:
http://www.classicparts.com/prodinfo.asp?number=78-915

Part 78-915.

I am not sure how to go about installing it.
Do I need to remove the radiator and hoses to test install it and then do I need to trim off the plastic at the bottom and other places where it looks like it would hit the bottom radiator hose and lower pully?

It looks like I have about only 4.25 inches of clearance between the lower pully and the Radiator. The fan shroud is 4.75 inches deep. The bottom pully, which is a double pully on my truck (I guess for PS), but that pully is within 4.25 inches of the radiator. The belt is 5 inches from the radiator.

I have a http://www.classicparts.com/prodinfo.asp?number=78-213 Desert Cooler Radiator Manual trans installed. That may make the space a bit narrower.

The shroud sticks out 4.75" from the radiator. So I think the shoud is 3/4 inch too deep.

So the real question is: Are we suppose to cut/trim the shroud to make it fit?

Seems like I need to cut 3/4 inch off all the way around it to clear the pully, belt and the lower hose will need a dish out.

The shroud does have the slant built in to the stand offs like the radiator does which is good.

Also I was wondering if people typically cut a slit thru the bottom to make install around the fan and fan pully easier. That way maybe you do not have to remove the radiator to get it installed?

Or do people cut the whole thing in halfs horizontally or vertically?


I want to install this as I have an at idle overheating problem with my 283 V8. It runs fine while moving at about 20% of the heat range indicator. But when I stop at the dump and have to wait for 6 or 8 trucks to pay (way longer than a traffic light) it starts overheating and typically will get hot and stall out. Then I have to wait 20 minutes for it to cool and I can start it and things are fine.

I am hoping that the shroud will help pull air thru the radiator when stopped in line. The fan blade is a 6 blade replacement type. It is mounted on a 1 inch extension. It sits about 1.25 inches from the radiator, just far enough away to not have to pull the radiator to put it on.

I guess that is a bit far away from the radiator (and may be my problem) but to get it closer I would need another extension and would have to pull the radiator to put the extension and fan on.


I have heard from one Stovebolt member RATRODKING who cut the bottom in half for easier installation and then trimed as needed to fit.

I would love to hear anyone elses experiences with installing this part as well.

Thanks.