Author Topic: 65 GS fan shroud  (Read 1049 times)

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Offline mrbuick65

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65 GS fan shroud
« 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

Offline 66nailhead

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Re: 65 GS fan shroud
« Reply #1 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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Dan Harper

66 buick gs hardtop.  401/st400
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Offline gearhead46

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Re: 65 GS fan shroud
« Reply #2 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?
Professor Gearhead
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57 Buick Roadmaster Convertible

Offline Loren At 65GS

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Re: 65 GS fan shroud
« Reply #3 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
65 GS hardtop BCA Senior
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 65 GS hardtop restoration project
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Offline TrunkMonkey

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Re: 65 GS fan shroud
« Reply #4 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
Michael

The first 60 years were spent on surviving. The second 60 are gonna be spent on fun!

Offline Loren At 65GS

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Re: 65 GS fan shroud
« Reply #5 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
65 GS hardtop BCA Senior
 65 GS thin pillar coupe
 65 Skylark coupe v-6
 65 GS hardtop restoration project
 65 Sport Wagon
 70 GS 455 htp / original engine
 94 Roadmaster wagon
 96 Roadmaster wagon- parts car
 63 Riviera

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Offline GS66

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Re: 65 GS fan shroud
« Reply #6 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?
Jim
North Mankato, MN

65 Gran Sport HT auto
66 Gran Sport Conv. 4 speed
66 Gran Sport Conv auto
66 Gran Sport Post auto
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Offline TrunkMonkey

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Re: 65 GS fan shroud
« Reply #7 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.


Michael

The first 60 years were spent on surviving. The second 60 are gonna be spent on fun!

Offline cwmcobra

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Re: 65 GS fan shroud
« Reply #8 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.

http://www.oldbuickparts.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_445_478&products_id=8862


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
Steve Shuman's 1965 Skylark GS Convertible: Flame Red/401/4 BBL/Automatic - BCA Archival Preservation
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Offline TrunkMonkey

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Re: 65 GS fan shroud
« Reply #9 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...









« Last Edit: January 27, 2018, 05:34:24 PM by TrunkMonkey »
Michael

The first 60 years were spent on surviving. The second 60 are gonna be spent on fun!

Offline GS66

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Re: 65 GS fan shroud
« Reply #10 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.
Jim
North Mankato, MN

65 Gran Sport HT auto
66 Gran Sport Conv. 4 speed
66 Gran Sport Conv auto
66 Gran Sport Post auto
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Offline WkillGS

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Re: 65 GS fan shroud
« Reply #11 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
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Offline Weldar

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Re: 65 GS fan shroud
« Reply #12 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
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Offline Super65lark

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Re: 65 GS fan shroud
« Reply #13 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.