Homemade fiberglass fan shroud - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

MXmaniac · 08-01-2009, 05:40 PM

Over on the H.A.M.B. a guy made a tech post showing how to make a custom fan shroud out of fiberglass, so I decided to give it a shot. Here's what I did:

The first step, of course, is to make all your measurements. You need to know the diameter of your fan, the dimensions of your radiator, and where the fan is in relation to the radiator. I had to design mine to work around the lower radiator hose also.

I used a piece of 3/4" plywood that I had lying around to make the framework. I cut out the bottom piece(shape of the radiator), and then a circle that is 1" larger in diameter than the fan(to allow 1/2" clearance all the way around). Then I used some spacers to account for the upward angle of the motor and fan.

Next I used some stretchy T-shirt material and stretched it over the frame, and used a staple gun to attach it, making sure to pull out any wrinkles.

Now, I hate to say it, the fun part is over. The rest of the process is a sticky, itchy, smelly, dusty mess until your finished.

Before applying any resin I cut out the fiberglass mat to fit the shroud. Then I mixed up the resin and coated the T-shirt material, then set the fiberglass mat on it, coated it well, then gave it all another heavy coat and made any patches that were needed.

Once that cured for a few days I used an angle grinder with a 60-grit flap disk to cut it out. I basically sanded through all the corners, then *GENTLY* pried the shroud off the frame with a putty knife.

Then I cut the shroud into two pieces so it can be installed/removed without unbolting the fan. I haven't made the brackets yet, but they will be some pieces of aluminum strap either pop-riveted or bolted to the shroud then to the radiator supports. I'm also going to smooth the shroud out with a coat of body filler then paint it black.

So if your truck's running hot, or you just want to keep all your fingers attached to your hands, this is a simple way to make a nice shroud. The next time I make one I'll use more fiberglass reinforcement so it is stiffer, but this one will do what it needs to do.

I'll add the rest of the pictures later tonight. I thought I could get this finished before leaving for work, but I couldn't quite do it!

**ChiefRocka** · 08-01-2009, 05:47 PM

Sweet man.....great job so far !!!

Now get off work and lets see the final product !!

BTW....Three pedal hot-rods get you in trouble with the law !!!

Bazooka · 08-01-2009, 09:52 PM

Coooool, look forward to seeing the rest of the pics!

MXmaniac · 08-01-2009, 11:43 PM

OK guys here are the rest of the pics I have. Its just taped in to make sure it fits, like I said I still need to make brackets, smooth it out, and paint it.

**Captainfab** · 08-02-2009, 12:21 AM

That is awesome man

Fiberglass is in a lot of ways so cool to work with. You can do some really cool stuff with it. I just wish I had the time to play with it.

Post up some more pics when you make some more progress......

**slepysal** · 08-04-2009, 12:12 AM

nice !!! not to hi-jack, but I have some fiberglass cloth left over from when I made some surf boards (back in the days), if any one in the Bay Area needs some let me know

Mordachai · 08-04-2009, 08:06 AM

cool project...

nice thing about fiberglass, you can easily make custom mounting tabs and glass them to the shroud, making it appear factory if someone didn't know...

**Corts60** · 08-04-2009, 08:47 AM

I dig it......you got my wheels spinning now!

gulfcoast66 · 08-04-2009, 10:40 AM

Nice work, Thanks for the pics very detailed....... Chris

Rogue · 08-07-2009, 06:26 PM

I started itching just looking at that.

Nice tech.

**slepysal** · 08-07-2009, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue

I started itching just looking at that.

Nice tech.

true !!!!!

LostMy65 · 01-03-2011, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MXmaniac

OK guys here are the rest of the pics I have. Its just taped in to make sure it fits, like I said I still need to make brackets, smooth it out, and paint it.

Looking great.
Any final pics yet?

jimmydean · 01-03-2011, 08:39 PM

That does look great.

I do a lot of stupid stuff with fiberglass after working in stereos when I was a kid. I made my kick panels a few weekends ago and started on my door panels last weekend. I'l be building out the back once the gas tank is gone.

Turkey · 01-03-2011, 11:43 PM

Thanks for making me add another project to my list!

08-01-2009, 05:40 PM	#1
MXmaniac Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Denton, Texas Posts: 356	Homemade fiberglass fan shroud Over on the H.A.M.B. a guy made a tech post showing how to make a custom fan shroud out of fiberglass, so I decided to give it a shot. Here's what I did: The first step, of course, is to make all your measurements. You need to know the diameter of your fan, the dimensions of your radiator, and where the fan is in relation to the radiator. I had to design mine to work around the lower radiator hose also. I used a piece of 3/4" plywood that I had lying around to make the framework. I cut out the bottom piece(shape of the radiator), and then a circle that is 1" larger in diameter than the fan(to allow 1/2" clearance all the way around). Then I used some spacers to account for the upward angle of the motor and fan. Next I used some stretchy T-shirt material and stretched it over the frame, and used a staple gun to attach it, making sure to pull out any wrinkles. Now, I hate to say it, the fun part is over. The rest of the process is a sticky, itchy, smelly, dusty mess until your finished. Before applying any resin I cut out the fiberglass mat to fit the shroud. Then I mixed up the resin and coated the T-shirt material, then set the fiberglass mat on it, coated it well, then gave it all another heavy coat and made any patches that were needed. Once that cured for a few days I used an angle grinder with a 60-grit flap disk to cut it out. I basically sanded through all the corners, then GENTLY pried the shroud off the frame with a putty knife. Then I cut the shroud into two pieces so it can be installed/removed without unbolting the fan. I haven't made the brackets yet, but they will be some pieces of aluminum strap either pop-riveted or bolted to the shroud then to the radiator supports. I'm also going to smooth the shroud out with a coat of body filler then paint it black. So if your truck's running hot, or you just want to keep all your fingers attached to your hands, this is a simple way to make a nice shroud. The next time I make one I'll use more fiberglass reinforcement so it is stiffer, but this one will do what it needs to do. I'll add the rest of the pictures later tonight. I thought I could get this finished before leaving for work, but I couldn't quite do it! __________________ Andrew '69 C-20(292, 4-speed) Retired Daily Driver '64 C-10(250, 3-speed) Fixerupper '97 Frd Mustang GT(4.6L, 5-speed) Daily Driver If I only wanted two pedals I'd have bought a bicycle. Last edited by MXmaniac; 08-01-2009 at 05:48 PM.*

08-01-2009, 05:47 PM	#2
ChiefRocka Hollister, CA. Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hollister, Ca. Posts: 6,150	Re: Homemade fiberglass fan shroud Sweet man.....great job so far !!! Now get off work and lets see the final product !! BTW....Three pedal hot-rods get you in trouble with the law !!! __________________ John What the Heck is that ?? CURRENT BUILDS: 62 BurbMaster Other Builds: My '63 C-10,LWB,CC,BBW '06 HD StrAight Axle Swap Father/Son '67 C-20, LQ9,4L80,Bagged,8-Lugger !!Good Friend Richard's Build AMERICAN CUSTOMS & CLASSICS (831) 630-1965 www.ACCHOLLISTER.com ACC on FACEBOOK "Rest in Peace, Mom & Dad ... I will see you again someday!"

08-01-2009, 09:52 PM	#3
Bazooka Keepin it old school Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ca Posts: 672	Re: Homemade fiberglass fan shroud Coooool, look forward to seeing the rest of the pics!

08-01-2009, 11:43 PM	#4
MXmaniac Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Denton, Texas Posts: 356	Re: Homemade fiberglass fan shroud OK guys here are the rest of the pics I have. Its just taped in to make sure it fits, like I said I still need to make brackets, smooth it out, and paint it. __________________ Andrew '69 C-20(292, 4-speed) Retired Daily Driver '64 C-10(250, 3-speed) Fixerupper '97 F*rd Mustang GT(4.6L, 5-speed) Daily Driver If I only wanted two pedals I'd have bought a bicycle.

08-02-2009, 12:21 AM	#5
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,252	Re: Homemade fiberglass fan shroud That is awesome man Fiberglass is in a lot of ways so cool to work with. You can do some really cool stuff with it. I just wish I had the time to play with it. Post up some more pics when you make some more progress...... __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE Last edited by Captainfab; 08-02-2009 at 12:22 AM.

08-04-2009, 12:12 AM	#6
slepysal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Jose NOR*CAL Posts: 3,080	Re: Homemade fiberglass fan shroud nice !!! not to hi-jack, but I have some fiberglass cloth left over from when I made some surf boards (back in the days), if any one in the Bay Area needs some let me know __________________ 1960 Apache long bed fleet L6 250 Clifford intake 2 bbl carb. Langdon cast headers with dual exhaust and bellflower tips. T-5 5 speed, power steering and power disc brakes. "Over, Around or through it... " Last edited by slepysal; 08-04-2009 at 12:37 AM.

08-04-2009, 08:06 AM	#7
Mordachai Fat Fendered Fleetside Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: WPB, S. FL, USA, Earth Posts: 718	Re: Homemade fiberglass fan shroud cool project... nice thing about fiberglass, you can easily make custom mounting tabs and glass them to the shroud, making it appear factory if someone didn't know... __________________ 71 GMC lwb 56 Big window swb 93 GMC Sonoma (dd) radiused fiberglass fender project for 67-72

08-04-2009, 08:47 AM	#8
Corts60 Just here to tinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Holland, MI Posts: 3,697	Re: Homemade fiberglass fan shroud I dig it......you got my wheels spinning now! __________________ 78 C10 SWB Diesel #1 (wrecked)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...1978+silverado 78 C10 SWB Diesel #2 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=650751 60 GMC Suburban (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=445526 60 GMC 1000 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=298235 67 GMC 1500 (sold) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=803695 73 Chevy C20(Daily)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=852767 86 Suburban(summer unit) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=810697 88 Suburban 4x4(sold)

08-04-2009, 10:40 AM	#9
gulfcoast66 64-66 CHEVY JUNKIE Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cypress ,Texas Posts: 1,516	Re: Homemade fiberglass fan shroud Nice work, Thanks for the pics very detailed....... Chris __________________ 1966 C-10 Fleetside LWB, 350 Lt1 4l60-E 2008 Silverado Crew Cab, 4.8 4l60-E 1998 GMC Yukon 4x4 L-31 Vortec, 4l60-E 2017 GMC Serra 4x4 5.3 Vortec, 4l60-E Do It In A Chevrolet

08-07-2009, 06:26 PM	#10
Rogue Airport Bum Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Propwash (16Xray) D/FW, Texas Posts: 320	Re: Homemade fiberglass fan shroud I started itching just looking at that. Nice tech. __________________ 1964 Chevrolet C-10 1941 Chevrolet coupe 1962 Thunderbird 1959 Edsel Villager 1963 Skylark

01-03-2011, 08:39 PM	#13
jimmydean Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 3,728	Re: Homemade fiberglass fan shroud That does look great. I do a lot of stupid stuff with fiberglass after working in stereos when I was a kid. I made my kick panels a few weekends ago and started on my door panels last weekend. I'l be building out the back once the gas tank is gone. __________________ New Project: 1966 LWB C20 Plans: 1/2 ton conversion Dropmember front Dropmember rear Corvette discs Restored raised bed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=4295210

01-03-2011, 11:43 PM	#14
Turkey Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 427	Re: Homemade fiberglass fan shroud Thanks for making me add another project to my list!



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