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| | | | Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 124 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 124 | i just tried to install a new radiator in my 54 3600. the fan blades hit the lower hose flange.
i'm trying to determine if my fan blades longer than stock or if the radiator (standard capacity 47-54 from classic parts of america) is a poor match or they sent the wrong radiator.
my fan blades are 9" long and cleared my old and what i believe to be stock radiator. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 54 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 54 | Sean,
The fan blade on my 51 3600 with a 235 is 18" diameter like yours and it just barely clears the lower hose. I recently replaced the radiator with a standard one from LMC and it fit exactly like the old one. Do you have a 216, 235, or 261? Have you taken measurements from the old radiator and compared them to the new one? | | | | | Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 124 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 124 | i have the 235.
i have taken a few measurements. the hose flange on the new radiator is 1" closer to the center of the radiator. that is just enough to cause the interference.
i think this is going to be a big pain in the butt. the radiator is not going to work but it already has a few marks and bent fins fron the install and removal.
Last edited by monkey wrench; 05/02/2009 12:35 AM.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | Call them & see what they say & post it for all of us. Most of these co's handle these kind of things real well.
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 | Is this a 1954 235? If not then the fan is probably too low due to the more modern block and the placement of the water pump. | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | Sort out the radiator first.
Then if you have a late model 235 you should use a water pump relocation plate to use the early water pump higher up, helps cool better by having the fan in the right place.
Grigg | | | | | Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 124 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 124 | it is a '54 235 as far as i know. i'll run the #, but i know the history of this truck with a fair degree of certainty.
and like i said, the old radiator fit.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 |
Through at least 1957, the 18" blade was the standard blade, at least for 1/2-1 ton trucks (the designs between 37-57 might be slightly different but the 18" diameter did not change).
The engine serial number is pressed into the ledge to the rear (left) of where the distributor goes into the block.
The format is:
1234567F54xy
It could have F54 or T54
The xy could be a variety of one or two character combinations.
In any case, the "54" (or other number) is a year designator.
1955 was a transition year, as stated above. After the transition in 1955 the water pump is lower. Nonetheless, if the radiator geometry is as far off as you describe, call the vendor (and let us know what response you get).
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