Series I metal fan - how bad is it really?

[Arne]

Mark, you'll have to change both the fan and the fan clutch, as the plastic fans won't fit the early clutch. While you could buy the complete kit (plastic fan, matching clutch and misc. hardware) from MSA, it is much more affordable to pick up a used assembly. But if you have or plan to get a fan shroud, you probably will want to stay with one from a '72-73 240Z, not the 260Z/280Z unit I got.

[dogma420]

Mark--change it out!!! if you have a leaking water pump, just in general I wouldn't drive a vehicle.imo.

[ZSaint]

Arne: I went through the same drill with my '71. I wanted to install a fan shroud to help the cooling on my 4-row rad. I bought a shroud and it was for a 280. It would not fit my new rad. I then bought a '72 2-piece shroud and it only had the top half. I emailed the guy and asked about the bottom of the shroud and he never answered. I then bought a repro 1-piece fiberglass shroud for the 240. I decided not to use it as it was very rough. I am still looking for the bottom-half of a 240 2-piece shroud. I know that shrouds do help the fan pull more air through the rad. I have a couple of old Mopars and they both have shrouds. It's the only way to keep them cool. 240's have the same problem with cooling. I think a shroud is the way to go. I will keep looking for the bottom half!

[moonpup]

Originally Posted by ZSaint

I then bought a '72 2-piece shroud and it only had the top half.

I wasn't aware that the 72 had a 2-piece shroud. If so, when did the 1-piece metal shroud end and the 2-piece begin?

[montoya_fan01]

I've never heard of a 1 piece OEM 240z fan shroud. Anyone have a pic or details?

with a bit of modification, the 280z shroud can be made to work on a 240z radiator.

I searched for a long time to get a 240 OEM shroud and couldn't find one in decent shape, and the MSA fibreglass shroud didn't fit my car properly, so I got a 280 shroud for $10 at the JY and spent an afternoon trimming it a bit, and spent $5 in materials making new mounting brackets. It works great.

[moonpup]

Originally Posted by montoya_fan01

I've never heard of a 1 piece OEM 240z fan shroud. Anyone have a pic or details?

Sorry Garth, I don't have any pics but I believe the part # was 21475-E4102. I've only seen a handfull in all my years of scouring junk yards.

Akso, because they were kind of a pain to put on/take off, people tended to cut a section out of the bottom, so between that and rust, it's somewhat hard to find a nice example.

[ZSaint]

I have the upper piece (plastic) of the shroud bolted onto the stock 240 rad. It looks great. I am thinking of putting it on the car because it will provide a bit more 'direction' to the air travel. The 280 shrouds are 2-piece but do not fit the rad. I really do not want to fabricate mounts. I will keep looking for the bottom piece.

[moonpup]

Garth, here's a pic of the one piece metal fan shroud. Just snagged it off the ebay listing for car #913.

As you look at the pic, the top of the shroud is on the left.

Now back to the main topic...metal fans should only be used for show.

[MarkDixon]

this may be a dumb question, but if I buy a used plastic fan with clutch will it fit any new water pump I buy from say Advanced Auto Parts?

[Arne]

Yes. If you have a radiator shroud, you'll want to stay with a plastic 240Z fan due to the increased size of the 260/280Z fans. If you don't have a shroud, the bigger fans will fit fine as well. The 280ZX fans do not fit properly, though.

[Mat M]

I have changed out the original metal fan with a newer (I am not sure what year, since it came with my 2 truckloads of parts) "high draw" (written on one of the blades) plastic fan with clutch. I also installed a ZX radiator and 2-piece shroud- they all fit together well. IIRC, there is about 1" between the rad. and the end of the fan. The temp guage hasn't read past mid-way since!

Arne: Please PM me if you are still interested in a 2 piece shroud.

ZSaint: Please PM me if you still need the bottom piece of the shroud.

[ZSaint]

Here is a pic of my 240Z shroud. Will the bottom fit this shroud?