<VV> Lower shrouds

[Frank DuVal]

Yes, cooler weather means reinstalling the lower shrouds. We who remove 
the shrouds every year, do it by bending the tab that holds the door pin 
in place. By bending this tab, the pin can be pulled out and the lower 
shroud drops out with the damper door still attached. Next year just 
push the assembly back in place and put the pin in. Of course after a 
few seasons of this the tab breaks off and you have to use a sheetmetal 
screw and washer to hold the pin in. But most of the cars driven in the 
cooler weather are not stock show cars where original tabs are necessary 
for points. Doing it this way the rear grille does not need to be removed.

If everything is apart now, just assemble the lower shroud, thermostst, 
rod, and damper door together. Place the door in position and install 
the pin. If when the lower shroud is bolted in place the door does not 
close, or you cannot pull it open (level with the ground) because the 
thermostat stop holds it, then adjust the swivel. It is easy to do if 
you do not bend the tab yet, just pull out the pin and lower the shroud.

I agree removing the rear grille is a PITA.

Frank DuVal

Stephen Upham wrote:

> The dropping of the lower shrouds, deflashing of the heads, and the  
> use of Brad Penn racing oil has had its effect.  The engine runs nice  
> and cool, now.  Unfortunately, the weather has begun to change and it  
> is getting harder to reach normal operating temps (heating the oil  
> sufficiently) during short trips.  I'm considering reinstalling the  
> shrouds.  In the service manual it delineates the process for  
> installing the shrouds after replacing the thermostat.  Two things  
> are puzzling me.  #1. It states, "(to adjust the swivel on the rod)  
> Hold exhaust duct damper in the fully open position and pull the  
> thermostat actuating rod out the maximum travel (thermostat against  
> bracket stop) - What is the bracket stop?   #2.  It further states,  
> "Remove lower shroud assembly and connect retaining clip, then  
> install lower shroud as outlined"  The only time that I saw this done  
> (installing the shrouds) the person doing it used a bent wire to pull  
> the thermostat rod to the door connection while the shroud was  
> completely attached to the head.  Further, does the rear grill need  
> to be taken off (PITA) to accomplish this.  Any tricks of the hobby  
> would be appreciated.
>
> Stephen Upham
> Dallas, Texas
> North Texas Corvair Association
> CORSA
> Corvaireum //
>