1968 L71 fan shroud extension

[John C.]

On my 1968 L71 I have a fiberglass fan shroud with no lower extension. The AIM shows a lower extension and the JM backs that up. The car is very original so I am wondering if this is correct. The shroud I have shows no evidence of there ever being an extension. Should I have a lower extension? It is a mid May built car.

[Jack H.]

Re: 1968 L71 fan shroud extension

The extension was a favorite 'Bubba' part to discard when he learned its removal did NOT allow the fan shroud to be removed with the water pump, fan, fan clutch installed and the radiator support in its 'locked down' position. Original driver cars are quite frequently seen without this 'extra' piece installed...

[Henry J.]

Re: 1968 L71 fan shroud extension

John:

If you are certain that your existing fan shroud is original and if the shroud does not have the cut-out "slits" and the U-nut "openings", then your car did not come with the lower extension ring, despite what the AIM indicates. Mine didn't.

There is discussion of this point in the archives. The thinking appears to be that the extension ring was used only, in big block applications, on cars equipped with A/C.

[Kurt B.]

Re: 1968 L71 fan shroud extension

Henry,
My 68 is NOT a big block, it has the L79 motor with A/C and I have the shroud extension.
I am the second owner having purchased the car in 1972 and it was there when I bought it, so I do not think that it was only used on big block cars.
Kurt

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 L71 fan shroud extension

Henry and John-----

It depends what piece we're actually talking about here.

GM says that 1968 big blocks were built with the lower RING. This part, GM #3887428, was supposed to have been used for all 1968 big blocks (except L-88, of course, which didn't use a fan shroud, at all). Now, whether it actually was used for all big blocks I can't say, for sure. However, checking and cross-checking, it was SUPPOSED to have been used for all 1968 big blocks except L-88.

The fan shroud EXTENSIONS are something different, entirely. The upper and lower extensions were used for small block cars with C-60 only. They were not used for big blocks, at all.

[Dick W.]

Re: 1968 L71 fan shroud extension

"Should I have a lower extension? It is a mid May built car."

The judges would expect to see the lower extension. Absence of the extension would result in a point deduction

[Terry F.]

Re: 1968 L71 fan shroud extension

Joe, I had an original 68 plastic shroud and it had little slots cut in it all the way around for an extension. It was off an air car. Just some info. It was different than a lot of the others I have seen that only had the slots on the bottom side for the lower extension. This one was set up for a full extension the circled the entire shroud. I think the assembly manual shows it. Terry