69 427/400 Fan Shroud Extension

[Chuck G.]

Our car is a 69 427/400 automatic with PS and PB, but NO air conditioning. Here's the question: In the L36 Section of the 69 AIM, Sheet B6, the 427 radiator shroud, extension, and seals are shown. The extension is PN 3956089. My car was built in late August of 69 and has the "heavy" gray-black plastic/fiberglass shroud. I currently do not have the "extension". I have been told, by several knowledgeable 69 "guys" that ONLY air conditioned cars used the extension, and that non-AC cars did not have it. Do all 69 BB's have the extension ? Do only air conditioned cars have the extension ? Your thoughts and comments will be appreciated. Thank you. Chuck Gongloff

[Ed]

Re: 69 427/400 Fan Shroud Extension

Chuck, I have a early '69 427/400 4-spd. with PS and NO A/C or PB. The car is "nearly" original and has a build date of Oct.'68. It does have the extension (used to be attached to the orignal cracked fan shroud, likely a result of a non-locking motor mount failure before I purchased the car). Its doubtful someone would go to the trouble of adding the extension and not replace the cracked shroud, but can't say for certain, as I've only owned the car since '82. But, at least you now have another data point!

Good luck,

Ed

[Jack H.]

Re: 69 427/400 Fan Shroud Extension

I agree with Ed. Those cars with fiberglass shroud ALL had lower extention, to my knowledge. This is supported by what you see in the AIM as well as the offerings from Corvette Central who's re-producing shrouds and extentions.

Most of the time, the lower extention got "pitched" during major service by non-GM folks. Guys thought it was a way to pull the shroud without taking off the fan/clutch, hood, and loosening the rad core support to tilt into upright plane. WRONG!

My '71 SB A/C car was this way (main shroud but no extention). I've seen other non-AC cars which also had lower shroud extention (base engine SB had metal shroud, but addition of options like AT changed). If you buy a repro replacement, get ready for some 'fun'.... Fit tain't all that good and you may have to shave some material on the extention to get it to line up correctly bolt holes in NOS or original shroud.