Fan Shroud...

newman27 · 02-05-2009

Just curious if anyone has any experience with this JC Whitney fan shroud on a GT (their web site claims it is compatible)? It seems like a nice looking piece at a good price. One concern is whether or not any cooling advantages would be lost given that the stock fan shroud goes all the way around the fan whereas this one doesn't? Maybe this could be installed over the top of the stock fan shroud to give a nicer appearance without losing any cooling advantages of the stock shroud? Looking for some opinions or better yet actual experience with this part.

Thanks!

Matt

hrcollinsjr · 02-05-2009

The factory shroud is 360 deg and fits the radiator in the GT. I doubt seriously you are going to find anything any more effective than it. Look for bling somewhere else or see if you can spruce up the original.

I believe plastic can be chromed, after the fact. I'm trying to remember where I saw it mentioned, on the list or in a Hemmings ad.

Harold

blancojp · 02-05-2009

Originally Posted by newman27

Just curious if anyone has any experience with this JC Whitney fan shroud on a GT (their web site claims it is compatible)? It seems like a nice looking piece at a good price. One concern is whether or not any cooling advantages would be lost given that the stock fan shroud goes all the way around the fan whereas this one doesn't? Maybe this could be installed over the top of the stock fan shroud to give a nicer appearance without losing any cooling advantages of the stock shroud? Looking for some opinions or better yet actual experience with this part.

Thanks!

Matt

I use these all of the time and I had one installed on my '72 with the V-6 engine and do work well. You must cut it to size before you install it since it is several inches too wide.

blancojp · 02-05-2009

Here are some pics of the GT with this setup.

newman27 · 02-05-2009

Originally Posted by blancojp

Here are some pics of the GT with this setup.

That does look nice - thanks for the pix! I just went out and measured the stock shroud and it is 2" wide whereas the JC Whitney one is 3" wide. So, as you mentioned it would have to be trimmed. Any tips on how you trimmed yours and still made it look like a nice straight edge? Also, did you try leaving the stock shroud in place or is that not possible?

Thanks!

Matt

markandson · 02-06-2009

Originally Posted by hrcollinsjr

I believe plastic can be chromed, after the fact. I'm trying to remember where I saw it mentioned. Harold

Opellane (Mike Lane) knows where to get plastic chromed. I think it is some place in Jersey. He chromed headlight operating handle, washer bottle, dashboard indicator trapezoid, and some other stuff. Under the hood the heat tends to turn the stuff sort of Gold instead of Chrome but it still looks nice.

opelspyder · 02-08-2009

My general experience with JC Whitney and older cars is this, nif they have a part, and it could possibly fit any vehicle, they will list it for such. Now Juans picture it looks good, but not really being used for Opel parts anymore. I love chrome just like the next guy, but the problem is that those shrouds tend to give a cheapening effect on your engine bay. I slowly polished everything on the Spyder when I had it, and made things out of stainless when I could afford to do so. Well on the Blue GT I went out and bought dressup chrome items like this shroud. I had the wire separaters, the coil and starter cover-you get the point. When I had finished, it just looked like some junior high school kid(not trying to offend our younger memebers) detailed out my engine bay. Needless to say I removed the items. I call these items K-Mart Chrome, they tend to be cheap, made in China, and the chrome tends to not last, just like the clothes racks at K-Mart. Sometimes adding cheap stuff causes an eyesoar. IMHO
Keith

newman27 · 02-09-2009

Hey all - thanks for all the great replies and ideas! I'm in "detail mode" now on the GT and just thinking out loud about different things to do here and there (without going overboard). I think I need to come up with a cohesive plan for any additional engine bay enhancements before I go any further.

Juan -thanks for the pictures, that was what I was looking for. To be able to see the part in a car really helps.

Matt

02-08-2009	#7 (permalink)
opelspyder Opel Key Master Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,301 Provided Answers: 4	My general experience with JC Whitney and older cars is this, nif they have a part, and it could possibly fit any vehicle, they will list it for such. Now Juans picture it looks good, but not really being used for Opel parts anymore. I love chrome just like the next guy, but the problem is that those shrouds tend to give a cheapening effect on your engine bay. I slowly polished everything on the Spyder when I had it, and made things out of stainless when I could afford to do so. Well on the Blue GT I went out and bought dressup chrome items like this shroud. I had the wire separaters, the coil and starter cover-you get the point. When I had finished, it just looked like some junior high school kid(not trying to offend our younger memebers) detailed out my engine bay. Needless to say I removed the items. I call these items K-Mart Chrome, they tend to be cheap, made in China, and the chrome tends to not last, just like the clothes racks at K-Mart. Sometimes adding cheap stuff causes an eyesoar. IMHO Keith __________________ Questions or comments to the Project: Restoration of a GT series 2 -post here http://www.opelgt.com/forums/opel-gt...eries-2-a.html

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

02-05-2009	#2 (permalink)
hrcollinsjr 2200 Post Club Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chapel Hill, TN Posts: 2,263 Real Name: Harold Collins Provided Answers: 14	The factory shroud is 360 deg and fits the radiator in the GT. I doubt seriously you are going to find anything any more effective than it. Look for bling somewhere else or see if you can spruce up the original. I believe plastic can be chromed, after the fact. I'm trying to remember where I saw it mentioned, on the list or in a Hemmings ad. Harold

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)