The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Question about Spacing between the radiator & Fan

I have a question about the spacing between the radiator and the fan. I think I have about a half an inch. I would have thught this was plenty but no the other day I was running around town stopped at somewhat of a slant, and then pulled out, well I heard the slight ting of the radiator and fan making contact.

Not good. So not sure if my spacing is that bad or if maybe I have a bad motor mount (could be) letting the engine twisat a bit and gringing into the radiator.

So there lies the question what is the spacing everyone else has.

Also I know about the 235, and the short shaft water pump. But I don;t really know if that would help me or not, i believe thats aready been taken care of.

It sounds like you might need to check your motor mounts.
Cleon

Absolutely, ya need new motor mounts! My '50, 3604 is all stock and only has a about the same space, never have figuerd out why. Might be the cab and core support rubber wheich needs to be replaced or the fan blades are pitched to much.
Whatever, the first thing that I did before I ever even drove the truck was instll new motor mounts, front and rear. The engine is rock solid now ya just see a twitch once in a while.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Another possibility besides the motor mounts is the generator fan. I kept hearing what sounded like the fan hitting the radiator while driving but I couldn't find anywhere on the blade or radiator that showed markings from hitting. I finally got the noise to reproduce while under the hood and it was coming from the generator fan. The nut had stripped which was allowing the fan to wobble just enough to make periodic contact with the housing. Good thing I caught it before the pully/fan came clear off.

Yep....all of the above. With our flex fan they (Summit) wanted a one inch space between fan and radiator which we achieved. They also wanted 3/4" all around and they also emphasized checking the motor mounts. T/C Sjb

Well I know it was in-fact the radiator because I have a leak now, not good I know. I will check the motor mount out and replace, I would imagine this is the case. Who Me, what summit part number fan are you using, do you see any benefits of this fan?

Thanks for the responses guys

Birge

on the flip side, we went out cruising last night, went out in the country and put er in granny low and crusied all over the place, she never hiccuped or had any problems what soever, I bet we crawled around for close to 2 1/2 hours last night just for fun.

If your sheet metal on the front clip is not solid, the whole front clip can move and alter that clearance. My fan only has about 3/8" clearance and I wondered at that.