The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop clearance between radiator and fan

I have a 1951 3100 and it has a 1956 235 in it.Before I got it they had moved the radiator forward as far as possible. The fan is a 1/4 inch or less off the radiator and I can't even get the fan belt off. I'm think of installing a short shaft waterpump but the bolts from the fan blade to the waterpump are smaller. I can get another fan that fits from Jim Carter but it is shorter and looks too flat to cool good. What clearance would I need between the new water pump/new fan blade and radiator?

The closet approach of the fan on my original 1951 is about 3/8". I was alarmed when I saw that but apparently that is normal.

On my 261 in my '50 3100 I have about the same clearance as truckernix. If I have to do any water pump/fan removal I always drain the radiator and remove it. It's not that complicated.

Thanks guys for the info.

You mean something like this Fred???
Been this way for close to 10,000 miles and as long as the motor mounts
are good and the motor isn’t moving around it seems to be ok.
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/139129668
DG

An adapter plate is available that will allow you to use the 54 and earlier water pump on a 55 and later 235. This deals with the "fit " issue. Check Ebay.

If it's close the blades will cut the radiator when you make a hard stop. How far away depends on the condition of your motor mounts - old rubber shears off pretty easily, and not all mounts are "safety" type, where there's still metal if the rubber goes away.
You can restrain the motor from moving (like rear to front) with a simple 5/32" wire cable between the block or head and the frame behind it. Weighs nothing, costs almost nothing, completely silent (no rattle like a chain), easily adjusted after installation. It's completely slack unless the engine shifts forward - then it stops completely.
I have one like this preventing my exhaust from being crushed on my 1974 Dart Sport 360" - been 15 years, still works.

I squeak the back tires quite often during panic stops since it's so light with out a load.
I’ve never had the fins hit the fan yet.
My guess is, if your motor is moving around that much as I mentioned earlier, you need
to look into replacing the motor mounts.
I didn’t measure the clearance on mine in the earlier post but I did this time:
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/139143867

Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

My fan is about 1/4 inch from the rad, no issues yet. It's even closer to the balancer, but it fits.

Without a shroud, the closer the fan is to the radiator the better it works...theoretically speaking. The real world, however, makes us consider other factors, like vibration and other movements.
I wouldn't go any closer than about 1/4" with good motor mounts.

cm

I am working on installing dual electric fans. You can try it and I bet it would give you space. Also have short water pump.

imige

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/3457/1029/33640514030_large.jpg

video

For a bit of extra clearance you can tweak the fan blades and not change your airflow much.

Had my old fan tweaked. Worked just fine, if thats what your looking for.