fan not turning... What next???

[hickorystang]

Sorry if this is not the right place to post...

I removed the fan spacer to be able to install my new radiator. Last night I buttoned everything up and cranked my Mustang. Immediately saw smoke from the fan belt area. The belt was turning but the fan was not...

 

[MPGmustang]

can you spin the fan? does it spin freely when the belt is off?

usually there is a spacer on the fan so it does not hit the harmonic balancer

 

[hickorystang]

can you spin the fan? does it spin freely when the belt is off?

usually there is a spacer on the fan so it does not hit the harmonic balancer

I have not removed the belt yet. With the belt on it will not spin manually.

 

[hickorystang]

In the following link there is a picture 5 posts down. Is the harmonic balancer the piece with the bolt holes in it and the blue paint on the tip?

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/49793 ... -line.html

 

[bubba22349]

Did you use shorter bolts after taking out the fan spacer? If you used the same bolts than they are locking up the pulley by hitting the water pump.

 

[hickorystang]

Did you use shorter bolts after taking out the fan spacer? If you used the same bolts than they are locking up the pulley by hitting the water pump.

Replaced the bolts with 1" bolts, but I think I should have used the 3/4" bolts I bought. From my measurements, the 3/4" bolts were what I was going to go with, but opted for the 1".

 

[jamyers]

In the following link there is a picture 5 posts down. Is the harmonic balancer the piece with the bolt holes in it and the blue paint on the tip?

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/49793 ... -line.html

Nope, that's a water pump hub. The balancer is the dual-groove pulley assembly below, bolts to the end of the crankshaft.

 

[bubba22349]

Right the 3/4 inch should be good

 

[hickorystang]

You guys rule!!!

replaced bolts with the 3/4" bolts and it turned like a charm. But, now the blade is knicking the damper. I have right at 1.5" of clearance between the tip of the fan blades and the radiator. What do you guys think is an adequate clearance? Am thinking if I can get a 3/4" spacer that should give me about 3/4" space between the fan and the radiator and the fan and the damper...

 

[bubba22349]

You could use studs than use a washer to space fan away from pulley.

 

[hickorystang]

by studs are you talking about 5/16 headless bolts?

Would it hurt to just have a stack of washers 3/4" tall to use as spacers?

 

[bubba22349]

Usually a Stud has threads at each end but none in the center. I would not use a stack of washers 3/4 high it would better to use a spacer than.

 

[hickorystang]

so the stud will get screwed in to the water pump and I will mount the radiator over the studs and use nuts to secure the fan?

Do they even make 3/4" spacers?

 

[bubba22349]

I am not sure but is quite possible OEM Ford made quite a number of sizes think shortest have seen is a 1/2 inch. Your are not limited as many Ford engines use the same pulley bolt pattern (4, 6, and V8's). The aftermarket makes a number of different sizes the 1 inch is quite common and they can be stacked to make a custom size). You would want to have at least about an inch between fan and rad.

 

[hickorystang]

I am not sure but is quite possible OEM Ford made quite a number of sizes think shortest have seen is a 1/2 inch. Your are not limited as many Ford engines use the same pulley bolt pattern (4, 6, and V8's). The aftermarket makes a number of different sizes the 1 inch is quite common and they can be stacked to make a custom size). You would want to have at least about an inch between fan and rad.

With the current space between the tip of the fan and the radiator being about 1.5", would a 1" spacer give me enough clearance with the damper?

 

[stu in wichita]

With the current space between the tip of the fan and the radiator being about 1.5", would a 1" spacer give me enough clearance with the damper?

Any clearance on the damper should be fine. It sounds like you have very minor interference there, so even a very small spacer would fix that.

As far as radiator clearance, I've heard a lot of "minimum" recommendations, but I think 1/2" would be plenty. I doubt your fan has a viscous clutch hub, so there isn't much danger of something causing the fan to move forward. Also, the blades are short and can't flex much under speed and load.

I have a factory 6-blade on my Ranchero with only about 3/8" clearance. I'm not worried them hitting, but the radiator has to come out to get the fan bolts out.
-Stu

 

[hickorystang]

With the current space between the tip of the fan and the radiator being about 1.5", would a 1" spacer give me enough clearance with the damper?

Any clearance on the damper should be fine. It sounds like you have very minor interference there, so even a very small spacer would fix that.

As far as radiator clearance, I've heard a lot of "minimum" recommendations, but I think 1/2" would be plenty. I doubt your fan has a viscous clutch hub, so there isn't much danger of something causing the fan to move forward. Also, the blades are short and can't flex much under speed and load.

I have a factory 6-blade on my Ranchero with only about 3/8" clearance. I'm not worried them hitting, but the radiator has to come out to get the fan bolts out.
-Stu

So, worst case scenario. If I get a 1" spacer I would be good with the 1/2" (give or take) space between the fan tip and the radiator?

 

[stu in wichita]

I'd be comfortable with that clearance.

 

[hickorystang]

I'd be comfortable with that clearance.

Thanks buddy.

 

[hickorystang]

Finally found a 1/2" spacer locally and will be picking it up in the morning. That should give me about 1" fan to radiator clearance and 1/2" clearance on the damper. I hope that is... Nothing with replacing this radiator has been easy. I appreciate everyone's help and suggestions!!!


Steven