Bird fan shroud modification

Fascinating guy.
It is a pleasure to watch someone make something with their hands, rather than buying it.
I was drooling at his tools.
I had read an article about that paragon spacer, but had never saw one.
 
I had read an article about that paragon spacer, but had never saw one.
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That spacer is the truth when combined with the timing cover volute modification he showed. It would also help PASS CAR (volute mod only).

That combined with a few other modifications/details and one should be able to go.
 
To avoid possible confusion,
the improved Ames A-432 water pump spacer only fits in '55 to '57 Y-block T-Birds.
 
Yes it will bolt on but,
on a truck or 'full-sized' passenger car the various... fan, water pump and power steering pulleys would need to have their belt alignment checked or changed to match the new forward position of the water pump. Along with after-market air conditioning if equipped.
.
 
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... sigh ...​

dmsfrr said:
Yes it will bolt on but, on a truck or 'full-sized' passenger car the various... fan, water pump and power steering pulleys would need to have their belt alignment checked or changed to match the new forward position of the water pump. Along with after-market air conditioning if equipped.
.
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Please re-read my post. Everything in it was BIRD related. You are the one that said it was BIRD only. The spacer will fit all FYB timing covers/pumps. Whether that is advisable or not is up to the person using it.
 
Excellent job on the shroud. However, CASCO has a ready made lower shroud that covers the full bottom half of the radiator (for birds only). I have one of those and it is an exact firt.
 
paul2748 said:
CASCO has a ready made lower shroud that covers the full bottom half of the radiator (for birds only). I have one of those and it is an exact firt.
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... hmmph ...

I did not know that. Now is it metal or plastic and it fits in your opinion as well as the fabricated lower shroud?
 
Plastic and it fits like a glove. Been on for years with no problems. I have what appears to be a stock radiator. Maybe a fit problem with an aftermarket radiator



KULTULZ said:
... hmmph ...

I did not know that. Now is it metal or plastic and it fits in your opinion as well as the fabricated lower shroud?
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I have a U.S. Radiator 4-row copper & brass, still in the box. An aluminum shroud/w electric puller fan is available for same; has anyone used it? I can see where an electric fan would be an advantage when idling, but the cfm rating seems low. Gil Baumgartner (CTCI Gil's Garage) recommends the mechanical fan/w auxiliary electric pusher fan mounted in front of the radiator. If I retain the mechanical fan, I will use Casco's lower shroud.
 
paul2748 said:
Plastic and it fits like a glove. Been on for years with no problems. I have what appears to be a stock radiator. Maybe a fit problem with an aftermarket radiator
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I noticed in CASCO cataloging that they offer an aluminum radiator with a stamped upper tank. I would hope this was more in appearance to have the rad appear as OEM. I would think their shroud would fit that one correctly.
 

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  • Radiator - Aluminum - BIRD - CASCO.jpg
    Radiator - Aluminum - BIRD - CASCO.jpg
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FWIW, Greenbid56 has an older post(s) over at yblocksforever on fans. He’s done a number of things-the restricted bypass, smaller pulley on the wp, etc. But most important to me is a Hayden fan clutch and a more modern a/c fan bolted to it. He’s got interesting numbers on cooling drop and running temperature at high ambient temperature. Living in Tucson that’s easy to do in the summer.

My bird has gone a number of directions, starting with the original McCulloch supercharger drive pulley. No clearance for a big enough fan. But if I were starting over I’d give his post a hard look. I’ve always been a believer in the clutch fans the oem’s used for years. That and a full shroud has proven it works.

COVID has interrupted my trips south, so I haven’t seen him in a while, but he does know his stuff.
 
It’s amazing that it took 60 before someone figured out that the Tbird had no coolant flow at idle.
Thank you Mr Chris Ames
 
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