What's ur 6 cyl fan knowledge

[chad]

"…a good fan shroud…"

?urban legen?
the 6 cyl bronks (170ci '66 - '72; 200 in '72 &3) were produced/shipped/sold w/o any fan shroud.

Just takin a pole. Please let me know if you have info (born around1956, mechanic back when, bronk owner).
It will not result in any definitive answer (it's 40/50 yrs. later, after all).

If folks Do have a shroud - can you ID it (sz, dimensions, attachment method, engine displacement) by a part number embossed into the surface somewhere?

Entirely different note:
I'm thinking of bent8 radiator and shroud if I get the 250 motor assembled/installed.

[turbo2256b]

One thing I CAN TELL YOU DONT RUN A CROSS BLADE FAN (4 blade) they quit them years ago because too many of them broke. Like my old dodge truck runing down the road one of the blades went through the hood the unbalance almost instantly busted the water pump. A slant six

[chad]

of my 2 170 slant6 1 @ 65 mph the piston knocked off the starter & both went skittering down the rd behind on the interstate

dangerious for those behind!
And yers - a knife blade thooo da hood?!? shoot, man! that's some force - glad it didn't head yer way!

But U have no knowledge re: 6 cyl bronks having no shroud from the factory?

[colby45]

My '66 Bronco is almost completely original and it does not have a fan shroud. I also have the '66 Bronco Shop Manual and it makes no mention of a fan shroud anywhere. I believe your are correct that there wasn't one that came stock.

[chad]

If so -

Wonder Y?

Sounds dangerous…less cooling ability-

Got any theory(s)?
(My only 1 is - saves ford some $).

[colby45]

I would agree Ford did it to save money. I also think the 170 ran decently cool so they did not see the need for a shroud. The fan took care of cooling by itself. It is dangerous though. I worry about being in my engine bay when it's running because of that fan.

[B RON CO]

Hi, my 66 never had one. I think if they ran hot Ford would have addressed it. The engine is swimming in that engine room, it almost looks lonely. I am from before the time of safety insanity because of lawsuit insanity. If you stuck your hand in the fan it was because you are an idiot. We didn't need a sign. Back then it was function mandated, not lawyer mandated. I think the V8s came with a top shroud which was part of the radiator mount. My 66 Mustang 289 has a tiny metal shroud and the fan is very close to careless fingers and there is no "caution fan" sticker.

[chad]

others will fit. The 'cowl' (proper name: 'sompin or da odder support') has rm to mount 1…
/OR/
just a guard @ top only

I thought of 1 for function (more effective draw of air 4 radiator).

I wuz even thinkin of putting the radiator on the other side of the cowl & running an ele. (not 2 ur taste I'd assume)
when the 170 is replaced by the 250. Wondering if the bent8 rad. would B too big for that side,

[colby45]

If you swap for a 250, will you keep rolling with the stock radiator? You may wait and see if you even need a fan shroud after you swap and drive around a bit to gauge the engine temp.

[chad]

"…will you keep rolling with the stock…"
@ my income it's all a dream. One I live out as much as possible - so yeah.
It'll B the oem. Strainin in the heat (commin up the hill, dragin a 20 footer) will
test the narrow, skinny 170's. So we'll C. I really like the copper so my 1st move
(if it over heats) my B to rod it out (2 guys - 1 NH, 1 MA, still rebuild the copper 1s).

Thanks fer askin ~

[B RON CO]

Hi, the lower hose on V8s is on the right side, and the outlet sizes are probably different. Not a quick swap.If you are going to do major surgery (which I say more power to ya) why not just go for a 300? Anyway the further the fan is moved away from the radiator the more need for a shroud. The fan should be 2/3 in the shroud and 1/3 behind to be most effective. Electric fans can be mounted higher for most efficient cooling.

[chad]

Thanks for the post !
Long way ta go B4 radiator concerns.

"…lower hose on V8s…"
right/left: some & some not

250 - here/machined/partially assembled


What's ur info/opinion (anybody) on the OP's Q ?

[bubba22349]

Of the stock First Gen Bronco sixes I have seen and worked on never seen a shroud or anything besides a 4 blade fan. Since Ford built them to be low priced workhorses i think that's the reason. There's is no doubt in my mind that if you can adapt or make a shroud and use a better fan with a clutch unit say from a car with AC that it would make for a much better cooling system. Good luck

[chad]

Hey bubba!

"…a better fan with a clutch unit say from a car with AC that it would make for a much better cooling…"

So the clutch is that attachment w/all the 'fins' that bolts somewhere on the shaft behind the blades?
Would it make the unit longer invading/conquering precious radiator to water pump territory - loosing the war?

Got suggestions on (the ever present need of) yr./model to scrounge junk yards, parts houses?

[bubba22349]

I have always liked the clutch units as it frees up some HP and can help with better MPG for the those times when the fans not needed i.e. At speeds over 35 - 40 MPH or when engine temps are low. But yes it would also make it a little longer but though you were going to be moving the radiator forward some. If you don't have the room than just use a good 6 blade fan and it will still cool way better. Good luck

[chad]

Kouwell !
(in more ways than 1)
8- 0

[colby45]

I agree. I think a shroud will do nothing but benefit you, especially if you are moving to a bigger engine. They are relatively easy to retrofit as far as I've seen from some other Bronco guys I know.

[virtual_swerve]

I noticed a couple of weeks ago that Bronco Graveyard sells a 6 cylinder fan shroud now. I'd looked around for one online pretty extensively several months ago and couldn't find one so I think they've just started selling it fairly recently.

http://shop.broncograveyard.com/Fan-Shroud-6-Cylinder-170-and-200ci/productinfo/10621A/

[chad]

& so "the 'plot' (on my thread) 'thickens'."

I've heard a bent8 would fit the 250.
I'd want to mount to the core support w/those 'sheet metal nuts' and a substantial bolt.
I don't trust that thru-the-radiator attachment, esp 4 off rd.

I do trust Jeff's (used them for most stuff inc a 1/2 cab [$250 s/h] in 1987) .

Thanks colby & V_S !

Know the outside dimensions on the 5 blade they recommend 4 use w/it?
I'm gunna try'n find the opening on the bent8 2 C if those fit, need to research the dimensions of the mounting flanges too, AS I all ways seek more oe & cheeper (than $95) costs…