End of fan shroud story: Helpful info I Hope!!

[JimAerbus,W22,2003]

Quick recap: "FAN SHROUD CRAZINESS POST". Fan went into upper shroud in CO, limped back to AZ and ordered new shroud kit from WH. Then the fun began! My chassis was built in May of 03 and there have been changes in the cooling system since then. Shrouds that may fit "older" series are not available... New ones are supposed to work.. THEY DON"T!!..Upper shroud is fine, but lower shroud will not even go into place. Hits fan when snapped into clips and try to rotate forward, by about 1/4 inch. SOOO, need to find 1/4 inch to get fan in place and another 1/4 inch or so for clearance.
Talked to engineer at WH and La Mesa RV parts.. Final was shroud must be defective.. Sent new shroud kit.. Same thing...Then suggested I check motor mounts and if necesary shimm a 1/2 inch (Won't hurt anything) Checked mounts, Not mounts, ETC.
So here is what has to happen if you run into this problem: Move upper shroud 1/4 inch to the left and down 1/4 inch. (this from looking toward fan from rear to front). Move lower clips to the left about a 1/4 inch and notch shroud there 1/8 inch or so. Then with 2 washers between the shroud halfs on all 4 bolts I now have about 3/4 inch up top and 1/4 inch at the bottom. Ohh, Also, make sure you pin the lower shroud at the bottom.. I did the middle and both ends, as well as 2 up top.

Side note: I got the distinct feeling that they are not "UNAWARE" of this problem, because ot the questions asked and the no hassle NEW KIT. (And I sent pictures)

Anyway hope this helps. I will leave phone number. so if anybody runs into this, feel free to call. Regards, Jim C. 520-227-2751

Guess it will work, till it breaks!!

[Duner]

Just wondering if this chassis was in an accident and possibly created a frame/engine mis-alignment problem? Did you buy the rig new or used?

Good luck,
Bill

[JimAerbus,W22,2003]

No, I bought it new.. The old fan shroud is different than the new ones. If you look at the modifications Driver did to his, you'll see that he had no rubber moldings on the side to help with air flow.. My old ones had an extension on the side that came real close to touching the radiator sides. From what I understand there was a change around 06 or so with the cooling system in general...I'm sure that these shrouds will fit newer units with no problems... I was just posting what I had to do to make the new ones work..And spent MANY hours on the phone with WH... Even had one (shall I say) person, ask if I had them on BACKWARDS!! Not up and down but BACkWARDS.. This has been a real frustrating experience to say the least. I have more time layind under trucks and cars than most of these people are old, and having to deal with people who have no idea what your even taliking about can get really tiresome to say the least... Anyway take the post for what is worth, if you ever need new shrouds on an older unit.. Jim

[JimAerbus,W22,2003]

Hi, as an after thought, if there is anybody out there with a pre 06 modified fan system that's willing to crawl underneath and just "guesstamate" the lower fan shroud to fan blade clearance I sure would be gratfeul. After all this I still only have 1/8 inch clearance between fan and lower shroud.. I remember my old one didn't have much either, but never really paid to much atention to it..Hope I don't have to move lower shroud some more. Thanks in advance Jim C.

[pkmesser]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimAerbus,W22,2003 Hi, as an after thought, if there is anybody out there with a pre 06 modified fan system that's willing to crawl underneath and just "guesstamate" the lower fan shroud to fan blade clearance I sure would be gratfeul. After all this I still only have 1/8 inch clearance between fan and lower shroud.. I remember my old one didn't have much either, but never really paid to much atention to it..Hope I don't have to move lower shroud some more. Thanks in advance Jim C.

Jim; 04 chassis, original fan shroud, (no mods) I get a forefinger thickness between blade and shroud at bottom (0.47" with caliper). This is more than your 1/8" by quite a bit, someone else can weigh in here, but I think motor torque will lift it away a little, so you might be ok. There is quite a bit more clearance at 3 and 9 oclock positions. Didn't check top.

[JimAerbus,W22,2003]

Well I "bit the bullet" and put in one more washer on the outer bolts, both sides. This does in fact give me a hair more than an 1/8". Interesting to note THE FAN BLADES ARE NOT ALL THE SAME LENGTH!! They vary by as much as the thickness of a busness card?? I guess normally wouldn't mattter, butttt? FYI the blades are spaced out on the hub by 4 corners so it's impossible for them to be offset...before somebody asks.. Also want to really thank everybody for their help.. This forum has been great..any more measurements greatly appreciated.. Regards, Jim C.

[Full-Timers]

Jim, My chassis was built in 2002. I replaced the upper and lower shroud on mine with the newer set. I have about ¼ inch between the lower shroud and fan with no mods. I have taken mine out for a test drive at 65+ mph in 100+ degree ambient temperature with the clutch fan roaring full speed and the fan didn’t touch the shroud. I placed the new shrouds up against the old ones before installation just to make sure they were the same. Other than being much stiffer they were identical everyway in form, fit, and function.

[Max Hubrich]

Jim C,

I attached the lower shroud at the bottom with two self tapping bolts years ago. No problems there yet. Hope your fix did the job.

I enjoyed your comment-

Quote:

This has been a real frustrating experience to say the least. I have more time laying under trucks and cars than most of these people are old, and having to deal with people who have no idea what your even taliking about can get really tiresome to say the least...

Sounds like me when I was still flying/instructing and trying to make a point- I used to tell the young bucks-

" I've got more time (flying) over High Station, Supersonic, Inverted, than you have total time-- "

Heck, most of them don't even know what "High Station" means today with GPS in every cockpit now.

A bit of an exaggeration, I admit now-

Cheers, and good luck-
Max

[JimAerbus,W22,2003]

Thanks for all the feedback. I guess I'm going to have to live with the clearance I have (little over 1/8 inch) and count on the extra stiffness of the new shrouds. I made a typo before, mine was made in May 2002 not 03, but sold in Nov of 02 as 03 (Box is 03). For some reason, maybe a test case, or limited production run, I seem to have an original shroud that was different, with the sides having a 1/2 inch or so moulded piece that wrapped around and almost touched the radiator sides??? This I'm now sure has lead to all the problems that I've had with getting this new one installed.. Talked to tech at La Mesa and he says that he has had to replace more and more of these shrouds as they get older and the thin plastic starts to deteriate.. Has had some fitment problems, but nothing like mine. He's the one who gave me the idea of spacing it down with washers in between the bolts. Anyway, hope thid works, Jim C.

[George Z]

My early 06 has 1/4 inch clearance at the bottom and 7/8 inch at the top. Blades are about 60% into the shroud.

[mfire1339]

If the pic I attached shows up You will see that my radiator support on driver side top is loose. If I were to tighten it I think my shroud would hit my fan.

You might look to see if you can shim at this point to lower your shroud.