My 1999 F150 (4.2 liter gasoline engine, automatic transmission, air conditioning, power steering) has a shroud above the radiator stretching from headlight to headlight. I have had the piece off the truck for about a year (forget why I took it off) and have been on several road trips and noticed no problems. Does anyone know what is the purpose of this piece?

 

That's not a shroud lol. See if you can find it, your belt diagram is on their.

BTW - It does help cool , but yea, just toss it you don't need it, engineers were just board.

 

it is to direct airflow through the condensor and radiator and not bleed over the top of the engine. put it back on. christmas-tree clips are at AutoZone for a buck

 

That would suck working on an engine without that , you know it - Well, if you have a 4x4 that is.