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BUSY BOLTERS Are you one?  The Shop Area
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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 31 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 31 | How close is too close to the radiator. I have about 3/4", to 1" between the two. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,112 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,112 | I take it your truck is a 54? My 51 has about 1/2" clearance between the rad and the fan. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,317 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,317 | Although I understand that 2"-4" has been recommended for fan to radiator clearance in most vehicles, I also have about 3/4" clearance between my 6 blade fan and the radiator in my 54-235 truck. After 8K miles I've noted that my engine runs at thermostat temperature (180) and I've had no contact issues.
However, having it this close could/would be a serious problem if you ever had to drive through high water!!!
Dave
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 31 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 31 | | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | touching is too close, any year, you're fine at 3/4, probably OK at 1" with an original engine .... if it's more than about an inch it can pull too much air from the sides and not enough thru the rad core - look at a bunch of setups at a wrecking yard and you'll find anytime there's bigger space, there's a shroud to force the proper air flow .... if you swap a V8 in, use a shroud
Bill | | | | | Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 31 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 31 | On my 37, is the radiator suppose to go or can it go to the bottom of the space in the cowel? It is not a stock engine, all though it is a 261 six. I have another good four inches at the bottom that when I go looking for a new radiator I think I will have it made longer.
Is a two row good enough or should I get a three or four row radiator? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 4,886 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 4,886 | I have mine dropped about 2" due to the fan being low on the engine, 250ci. If getting one made, going longer might help depending on the fan or shroud. If the fan doesn't pull air through it, then a longer core won't help much. Once below the filler panel air has a hard time getting to the core. This is what I am installing, http://www.afabcorp.com/AFCO_Dynate...Code=80147N&Category_Code=hr_rod-rad , its about 3" thick, two big cores, the aluminum will cool much better then brass and weights about 1/3 as much. Unless you are running a big block, I doubt you need the longer core. Joe | | |
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