Late Model Fan Shroud Fitment - Fan Rubs Shroud

[IAmGary]

I'm having fitment problems and I'm wondering if it's just me. I've got a late model radiator that was missing the fan shroud. So I ordered one part number 17-11-1-709-312-M9.

I get it into place, everything is fine and appears to be lined up perfectly then I turn the fan blade and realize that it's rubbing on the bottom. I haven't used the plastic rivets to attach the shroud to the radiator yet because it's pretty clear that something is wrong.

Has anyone else had this issue with the late model fan shroud? My options seem to be:

1) Cut the bottom off the shroud. Mangling a perfectly good shroud sounds like a bad idea.
2) Attach the shroud to the rad and hope the problem goes away when everything is snapped together. I doubt this is going to work, the fitment seems to sloppy.

Any ideas or especially experience with this is welcome. Photo of the part:

[K1CKBAC]

Does it rub when the two holes on the top corner of the shroud is aligned with the holes on the radiator?

[IAmGary]

Yes I checked the alignment of the shroud to the holes on the radiator carefully. It's almost like my whole motor is 3/4" too low which is impossible.

[K1CKBAC]

If your car is an early model, then the bottom mounting points for the radiator are different compared to late models if I recall correctly. May be the reason why your radiator is mounted too high.

[IAmGary]

My was manufactured 1988-07-12 - I always assumed that made it late model. I found a thread where a forum member fit this radiator and shroud into a 1987 e30 so it must be possible: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=214798

Probably going to give up and get out my hack saw and sand paper.

[jlevie]

From the factory your car had the early cooling system. You can tell if that is the case by the expansion tank and/or water pump. The early model has the expansion tank on the right side of the engine bay and the water pump has two nipples. You have the wrong shroud and need part 17111177201 for this car.

FYI, The change over from early to late coolings systems starts with 9/87 production.

[jeffnhiscars]

You also dont say what trans you have but the radiators for the Auto trans has a cooler built in to it that may require a different shroud than the one for the 5spd radiator.

realoem.com is your friend

[IAmGary]

So the front end of my car is ever so slightly out of spec. I have a late model radiator (see pics) and the bottom lip has been cut back to avoid the fan rubbing the radiator. I took a photo that shows how the fan rubs the shroud - unless there's a different shroud that fits the late model radiator and has a cut out at the bottom I'll have to get out my hack saw and modify it. Sucks.

I don't think 17111177201 will fit a late model radiator (and the opening is on the top instead of the bottom).

Thanks for your help thus far R3v detectives!

[vpilarrt]

Have you checked your motor mounts