Fan shroud types

For those who obsess about exactly how their 356 left the factory!
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Lars Nielsen
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Fan shroud types

#1 Post by Lars Nielsen »

How do you identify the different types, and how many types was there theu the 356 life span.

I read that in 1960 the recess for the sticker was added, but this really with the Bt5, so late 1959?

Is there any other changes to look for, and are they all interchangeable?

Also the early cars, with the coil at an angle, is that a different (VW type?) shroud?
1961 356 T5 Coupe

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Vic Skirmants
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Re: Fan shroud types

#2 Post by Vic Skirmants »

The recess was added by VW for air cleaner clearance.
The angled coil can be installed on any of the shrouds; note the hole for the bolt.
The coil was mounted straight for carb linkage clearance; I think.

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Steve Harrison
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Re: Fan shroud types

#3 Post by Steve Harrison »

The very earliest cars had a fan shroud that had a lap seam across the shroud. Easily the hardest sheet metal part to find if you need one. I have personaly never seen one for sale.

Also the carb linkage changed over the years so the shrouds also changed accordingly.
Early cars had the carb linkage actuated through a small tunnel like hole in the shroud with a rod and L shaped turnstyle type set up. The later carbs (zenith/solex) used a long bar type linkage that attached to the shroud across the back (front, if you're being a stickler for accuracy). I think plug wire mounts also changed,...earlier ones had round wire eyelets welded to the shroud. There is a grommet that protects the wires from chaffing.

Lars Nielsen
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Re: Fan shroud types

#4 Post by Lars Nielsen »

Thanks, great info.
1961 356 T5 Coupe

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Craig Richter
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Re: Fan shroud types

#5 Post by Craig Richter »

Lars, I'm surprised that the knowledgable out there didn't pick up on this topic and provide you with more info. Even I know there was a big change from a wire screen in front of the fan air intake, to the later curved "velocity stack", around '62? Later the right cross bar mount became removable (maybe that was 912). I'm thinking a lot more little changes happened over the years too, because I know a guy that can call out the model of a fan shroud from half way across the swap meet!
 

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Alan Hall
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Re: Fan shroud types

#6 Post by Alan Hall »

A few changes come to mind, dates are an approximate guess:
Seamed to enseamed-1952
double sided throttle linkage bracket added-1952
carb clearance pockets reduced in size-1954
holes for oil filter mount added-1954
carb preheat thermostat bracket and hole added-1956
Changed to over the top Zenith linkage-1958
Euro heater type available-?
Air inlet screen replaced with bellmouth inlet-?
Recess at top center added-?
Bolt -on carb likage brackets-?

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Charlie White
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Re: Fan shroud types

#7 Post by Charlie White »

Alan,

"Euro heater type available-?"

January 1963

CW
Charlie White

Jon Bunin
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Re: Fan shroud types

#8 Post by Jon Bunin »

Alan Hall wrote:Air inlet screen replaced with bellmouth inlet-? Bolt-on carb likage brackets-?
The bellmouth/funnel inlet began with the first Super 90 engines, in late 1959.
Early Super 90 shrouds had RH carb linkage brackets welded in place, while the later T6 shrouds had bolt-on brackets.

The two versions of Super 90 fan shrouds...
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DSCN0176.JPG
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Spencer Harris
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Re: Fan shroud types

#9 Post by Spencer Harris »

Reviving an old thread here.
Could someone please confirm the application for this shroud. I acquired it with a '56N, but the rear linkage brackets were not used on that engine. I'm confused as my understanding is that the rear linkage brackets were used on later models with Zeniths - but the face of the shroud is not recessed for the valve clearance decal implying an early shroud.
If I removed the rear brackets, would this shroud be correct for a '54 2-pc motor?
Thanks for any comments & advice!
30DSC_0900.jpg
30DSC_0292.jpg
30DSC_0293.jpg
30DSC_0294.jpg
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George Nostrant
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Re: Fan shroud types

#10 Post by George Nostrant »

Spencer,

Those carb linkage brackets do not look factory, but may have been added when this shroud was set up for the Zenith Carbs.

George

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James Davies
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Re: Fan shroud types

#11 Post by James Davies »

I agree with George Spencer. That's definitely a '54-55 shroud that's been modified with those Zenith-type brackets.

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Spencer Harris
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Re: Fan shroud types

#12 Post by Spencer Harris »

Thanks George & James. That was my hopeful expectation and exactly what I wanted to hear!
Spencer Harris
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Spencer Harris
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Re: Fan shroud types

#13 Post by Spencer Harris »

Alan Hall wrote:A few changes come to mind, dates are an approximate guess:
carb clearance pockets reduced in size-1954
Alan,
Are these the carb clearance pockets you refer to? The '55 shroud is original to my '55 3-pc. 1500N. The middle shroud was on a '56 motor and may or may not be original to the '56 case. The unknown shroud was installed on a 2-pc. VW case. Is the larger pocket specific to 2-pc. cases perhaps?
30DSC_0350.jpg
Spencer Harris
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Spencer Harris
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Re: Fan shroud types

#14 Post by Spencer Harris »

Spencer Harris wrote:
Alan Hall wrote:A few changes come to mind, dates are an approximate guess:
carb clearance pockets reduced in size-1954
Alan,
Are these the carb clearance pockets you refer to? The '55 shroud is original to my '55 3-pc. 1500N. The middle shroud was on a '56 motor and may or may not be original to the '56 case. The unknown shroud was installed on a 2-pc. VW case. Is the larger pocket specific to 2-pc. cases perhaps?
25DSC_0350.jpg
Spencer Harris
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James Davies
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Re: Fan shroud types

#15 Post by James Davies »

Spencer, the clearance pocket shown in your 30DSC_0292.jpg photo above is the smaller type. 1952 to early 1954 shrouds had a slightly larger one, as shown in your photo above labelled "Unknown"

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