68 Fan & Fiberglass Questions

[Kevin Whiteley]

I'm going to a local Corvette parts shop in the next week and wanted to verify some info I found in the Board Archives. This post was by Joe Lucia and stated that for a 68 BB fan, the following is correct.

P/N: 3888366, 17.5" diameter, 3" bolt circle pattern, 2 3/8" diam. center hole. Also there is no p/n embossed on the fan, however there is "front" and "H" embossed on the hub.

Besides a verification of this info. What else should I look for? How do I know I'm buying the proper part and not some other GM fan (or was this fan used on other GM vehicles)?

As far as the fiberglass question. The previous owner cut a circular hole in the hood for a velocity stack and when I purchased the vehicle, the original "cut out" was re-installed. However, the cut is showing along with other hood modifications. I want to show the car and want to know if the hood should or could be repaired to show quality (remember both sides will be visible) or should I find a replacement? And if I go with a replacement, were 68 hoods unique among C3's?

Sorry for the long list of questions.

[Joe L.]

Re: 68 Fan & Fiberglass Questions

Kevin-----

A little more information on the 3888366: it is a 5 blade fan with a blade pitch of 34-/12 degrees. It was used on most 66-67 Corvettes with 427, all 68 Corvettes, and all 69 Corvettes except those with A/C. It was not used for any non-Corvette applications. It is available in reproduction for about 150 bucks. That may be your best source.

As far as the hood goes, I doubt that you'll be able to repair the sort of "damage" that your hood has suffered without "leaving a trace". There may be folks that could do it with a lot of effort, but the cost (time=cost) might not be worth it. You need a 68 hood or an "early" 69 hood if you want to have the 68 configuration. Part numbers are not found on most Corvette hoods, so you have to bne familiar with hood configuration. One thing that you can look for is the presence of two mounting holes for the hood crossover cable retainers on the upper hood reinforcement channel. Only 68-early 69 have this feature. If you find that feature, then you have the correct hood.

[Kevin Whiteley]

Re: 68 Fan & Fiberglass Questions

Joe,

Thanks for the quick and complete response. I checked my current hood and it has two mounting holes (with retainers and cable). One is in the center of the reinforcement channel and the other is approximately 2 inches left of the passenger-side "hood catch" (not sure of correct part name). Are those the holes you were speaking of? Are there any other 68 unique items on the hood? Are reproduction hoods good or should I stay with an original?

Also, on the reproduction fan, or any reproduction part (please address both), are points deducted for using a reproduction part? I don't have the current JG yet, but I'll presume that it addresses these types of issues.

Thanks again.

[Joe L.]

Re: 68 Fan & Fiberglass Questions

Kevin-----

Yes, the holes you described are the ones that I was speaking of. There are other differences between the 68-early 69 hood and later hoods including a difference in the mounting pattern of the right side upper latch. However, these are all difficult to describe. The "2 mounting points" for the crossover cable retainers are the easiest to discern.

I don't know much about the reproduction hoods.

Points are deducted for reproduction parts IF they can be discerned from originals. I don't know if these fans are discernable, or not.