In my 49 with a 235 the clearance between my fan and rad is very close. Too tight to even get the fan belt off without removing the fan blade. I was looking at flex fans recently and the shallowest is still about an inch and a bit. Unless I actually try it I could not say if it would work. Incidentally this set up has been in place for about 15 years without injury to either component. however that does not mean it is right.

1949 Chevy 1/2-Ton
"Sedgewick"
In the Gallery
1989 Caprice