CENTERMOUNT FAN SHROUD DUCTING INSERT

[H2OSB]

I still want one of these. In kit form...yes! I buy Ikea stuff.

H2OSB

[FJCamper]

Gentlemen,

The prototype 36hp style ABS plastic fan housing kit arrived today. I'm going to build the first one.

The goal here is durability. We will probably run it at Bonneville in August.

[VolksRodT]

Hey, FJ;
Any word on the CenterMount kit?
Marcus...

[FJCamper]

The manufacturer can also cut center-mounts kits. It required a lot of CNC reprogramming to add the slots and tabs to make it a kit.

The big deal is the right glue. A builder has to be able to find the right glue. The manufacturers use an ABS solvent, not a glue, and it welds the material together. You will break the material trying to separate it. I'm hoping Home Depot or Lowes has something good enough.

FJC

[Piledriver]

Duro Plastic Welder works exceptionally well on ABS and is available most places.
It will always be in a dual tube black colored dispenser.
Some other companies sell products with similar names, but the wrong dispenser is a giveaway.
Many companies liscence Plastic Welder, it will always be called Plastic Welder, regardless of brand.
It is not epoxy.

[64firmechbug]

Put me down for one If ever you release a center mount shroud insert kit whether completed or assemble yourself.

[FJCamper]

We have our first pre-cut and tabbed prototype 36hp kit in hand now. And the necessary professional solvent. The assembly will tell us what CNC machine changes must be made, if any.

Holding and bonding all the curving air vanes in place is tricky, even with assembly tabs.

I'll be taking photos of the process for publication here.

FJC

[linenoise]

Any update on this? I have one of these centermount fan shrouds on my 550 and really like the look...but definitely not the cooling performance.

[H2OSB]

I desire an update on this.

H2OSB

[FJCamper]

Gentlemen, the update is not good. The tab assembly "kit" does work but requires body filler and much handwork to be presentable. This has been a big disappointment to me in that the early assembled examples were neat and worked beyond expectations. The plastics company just saw too much labor and not enough sales in these improved blower housings.

I have not given up.

[ProctorSilex]

We appreciate your efforts, FJC.

[H2OSB]

We appreciate your efforts, FJC.

Indeed. Thank you sir.

H2OSB

[Lo cash lester]

After hoping Frank would get the insert manufactured, I've decided to go ahead and make my own center mount shroud. Using Franks vein design, I've created the first prototype out of 16ga mild steel. I need to do testing but the initial product looks like it should work. I'll update as info comes to me.
Lester

[Bad Bob]

Looks nice. Bonus points for trying something different!

[Piledriver]

With the right lasercut bits and a few tabs for alignment the steel setup could become a kit anyone could weld up...