Truck over heats after about 2-3 miles. I have a 235 with a short shaft water pump. The only fan that clears the radiator is a 4-blade 216 flat back. Am considering an electric fan to mount in front of the radiator. LMC has one in their catalog, but wanted to check in and see if others have done this and are there better alternatives. Wish there was more clearance between the radiator and the water pump to allow for the regular 235 blade as that would likely cool things down fine.
Is the radiator clean and in good condition? Normally, there's not that much of a problem with overheating when going from the 216 to the 235. Another option would be to use the adapter for the 216 water pump which also positions the fan correctly and allows for a bigger-diameter fan blade. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
The radiator is new as it went in with the engine rebuild. I've had the truck for 20 years. It has always had a 235 from the time I bought it, but the guy who took out the original 216 and put in a 235 used the regular sized (longer shaft) water pump which caused him to cant the radiator to make clearance for the cooling fan. The old block freeze cracked and I replaced it with a 235 out of a '61 Biscayne about 10 years ago when I was restoring the truck. When I did that, I bought a short shaft water pump from Jim Carter's. It has the larger diameter hole for the 216 flat back cooling fan since there isn't sufficient clearance to use a regular 235 cooling fan. The instructions were to use a 216 cooling fan with the water pump, but it overheats in no time and has ever since I restored it. As it is, I have about 1/2" of clearance between the radiator and the cooling fan, so there is no room to put in a 235 fan. Hence the idea of an electric fan in front of the radiator.
I run dual 10 inch electric fans on my aftermarket radiator. It has a 235 short shaft water pump. But mine is a 59 apache. But you can take a look see and maybe it will help.
