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General Discussion => Q & A => Topic started by: mrbuick65 on April 02, 2015, 05:45:44 AM

Title: 65 GS fan shroud
Post by: mrbuick65 on April 02, 2015, 05:45:44 AM
Can anyone tell me if a fan shroud came with all the 65 Skylark Gran Sports. I heard it only was on the AC cars. Mine does not have AC or a shroud. Are they being reproduced?
Thanks, John
Title: Re: 65 GS fan shroud
Post by: 66nailhead on April 02, 2015, 08:47:43 AM
Fan shrouds only came on ac cars. They are being reproduced. I bought mine from kirban performance. He's the only one that's making them.


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Title: Re: 65 GS fan shroud
Post by: gearhead46 on January 26, 2018, 09:51:49 AM
I just checked Kirban Performance website and they do not show a fan shroud.  In fact, they don't list any cars other than GN and Turbo Regals.  Is the 65 Fan Shroud an unlisted part or did they just stopped making them?
Title: Re: 65 GS fan shroud
Post by: Loren At 65GS on January 26, 2018, 10:19:13 AM
 Last I heard, they quit making them. There is a reproduction available still, but it doesn't look to be the quality of the ones Kirban did.

 Loren
Title: Re: 65 GS fan shroud
Post by: TrunkMonkey on January 27, 2018, 12:32:41 PM
I purchased this one from CARS and am very happy with it.  :glasses9:

It is straight, (even though pics make it look wonky) proper thickness, has a smooth finish on the outside and very light "matting" on the inside.
Also has the slots on the bottom for the bracket tabs and the hole in the top for the top plate bolt.

The shroud has the "hump" center/top, so if you have the "finger guard" you will need to remove it.

http://www.oldbuickparts.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_445_478&products_id=8862 (http://www.oldbuickparts.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_445_478&products_id=8862)
Title: Re: 65 GS fan shroud
Post by: Loren At 65GS on January 27, 2018, 01:05:17 PM
Thanks TrunkMonkey,

  It is good to finally hear a first hand experience about this reproduction part.

   Loren
Title: Re: 65 GS fan shroud
Post by: GS66 on January 27, 2018, 01:15:57 PM
These cars sure have small shrouds, compared to some others. How much cooler do you think they make the cars run?
Title: Re: 65 GS fan shroud
Post by: TrunkMonkey on January 27, 2018, 01:42:01 PM
It is getting the most airflow through the core, and the shroud is a must to do that. It does not have to be large, only covering the height and width of the core, and "edge" sealing the fan to shroud" so the ends of the blade are not stalling/stagnating" airflow.

Another thing about most of our cars (60s-70s) is the buildup of airflow in front of the car and the poor "through flow" of the grill that they encounter. Some going faster on highway run hotter because insufficient flow from the bad aerodynamics of flow in the front of the cars. The air is diverted from the pressure build up and the invisible "bump" of air pressure prevents proper airflow.

Shrouds help ensure as much air as can be pulled through by the fan occurs.


I bought a 1968 Skylark. 350/ST300 and 2.56.

Had a 16" flex fan and was running hot, about 210-220.

Pulled the POS flex fan and tossed it in the trash, and grabbed the 18 "tractor" blade for my nailhead, since it was in the '64 was still going back together.

Temps on the 350 dropped to 190-195.

That difference is the shroud/fan edge distance and the proper "pull" of airflow through the radiator.

I recall back in the old days of cars always overheating because people had the incorrect fan blade, removed shrouds, removed thermostats and that being the largest cause of overheating.

Even though the fan on the nailhead is near 1-2 inches to the core, I wanted the shroud since I live in Florida and mid 90s  most of the summer, I figured every little bit of an edge I can give the engine is worth the cost.


Title: Re: 65 GS fan shroud
Post by: cwmcobra on January 27, 2018, 01:59:38 PM
I purchased this one from CARS and am very happy with it.  :glasses9:

It is straight, (even though pics make it look wonky) proper thickness, has a smooth finish on the outside and very light "matting" on the inside.
Also has the slots on the bottom for the bracket tabs and the hole in the top for the top plate bolt.

The shroud has the "hump" center/top, so if you have the "finger guard" you will need to remove it.

[url]http://www.oldbuickparts.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_445_478&products_id=8862[/url] ([url]http://www.oldbuickparts.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_445_478&products_id=8862[/url])


Can you shoot us a few pictures of the CARS repop fan shroud, please.  I've never seen a repop I like; could this be the one?

Thanks,

Chuck
Title: Re: 65 GS fan shroud
Post by: TrunkMonkey on January 27, 2018, 04:25:49 PM
Yep.

Let me go get it. (pulled it back out to get the radiator out so I could flush/fill and bleed the PS pump and steering box using a drill.)

brb...

(http://www.wootmonkey.com/i.php?/upload/2018/01/27/20180127153027-301b4bdc-la.jpg)

(http://www.wootmonkey.com/_data/i/upload/2018/01/27/20180127153009-2809a707-me.jpg)

(http://www.wootmonkey.com/_data/i/upload/2018/01/27/20180127152930-af1eb8d6-me.jpg)

(http://www.wootmonkey.com/_data/i/upload/2018/01/27/20180127152954-c10077c3-me.jpg)

(http://www.wootmonkey.com/_data/i/upload/2018/01/27/20180127152943-66f48486-me.jpg)
Title: Re: 65 GS fan shroud
Post by: GS66 on January 27, 2018, 05:57:13 PM
That looks like it fits pretty good. I may have to order one as one of my 66?s is cracked.
Title: Re: 65 GS fan shroud
Post by: WkillGS on January 27, 2018, 06:10:46 PM
Kirban Performance has the reproduction fiberglass shrouds made by an outside vendor, then supplies the various vendors such as CARS, YearOne, etc. He started having them made probably since the 1990's. I don't think anyone else makes them.
You might still be able to buy directly from Kirban. You would have to call and ask. Best to speak directly to Dennis Kirban for a definitive answer.
Direct from Kirban was in the $100 rage, + shipping.
I'm a few miles from Kirbans' shop, I've seen a few shrouds hanging on the warehouse wall.

There are some repos on eBay. Here's one offered by 'Bestoffercounts', also a local guy. Most likely a Kirban repo. Price is high but includes shipping.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1965-1966-Buick-Skylark-GS-Fan-Shroud-400-401-cubic-inch-engine-NEW-Gran-Sport-/332449171113 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/1965-1966-Buick-Skylark-GS-Fan-Shroud-400-401-cubic-inch-engine-NEW-Gran-Sport-/332449171113)
Title: Re: 65 GS fan shroud
Post by: Weldar on January 27, 2018, 07:32:19 PM
These cars sure have small shrouds, compared to some others. How much cooler do you think they make the cars run?

A fan shroud will make a huge impact on air flow. After installing a Kirban the engine holds 180F when the car is moving. Still an issue at idle, but due to the overbore there is probably not much more that can be done with the current setup.

Dwaine
Title: Re: 65 GS fan shroud
Post by: Super65lark on April 06, 2018, 05:42:13 PM
I never had any difference at all in temperature by not running a shroud. But, I'm not currently running a nailhead.

Something else that people forget, and that I learned the hard way, oil droplets, dirt, everything - gets sprayed everywhere all under the hood without a shroud. That in itself was enough for me to finally find one and install it.