Radiator clearance problem, now with pics!!!

[wallaka]

All right, got the new radiator for the Comet ('65) but didn't know that it was going to be a 3-row. I don't have enough space for the original fan. I got a flex fan but without shimming it won't clear the crank pulley. It got dark here so I quit working but it looks like it will hardly clear when it's shimmed enough. I have A/C so I don't have room for a pusher (the condenser is huge). Anybody dealt with this issue? I searched but couldn't find an answer for this particular issue. I'll start messing around with it in the morning but wanted to see if anybody had any thoughts. I don't really want to cut the body up, so any other options?

 

[johnnyzoom]

Might get flamed for this, but this is what I did. Got common aftermarket fan (not flex fan, straight steel so it wouldn't flex into the radiator) from chain store, can't remember original size, between 15"-17" I think. Measured for hose clearance, then cut one blade. Used removed piece as pattern to cut the rest to get them as even as possible. Have about 1 1/2" clearance from rad. First critcism is that blades may be uneven and cause wear on water pump. I guess so, but I took my time cutting and as far as I can tell it spins evenly. I'd like more clearance from the rad, but I'm comfortable enough with the inch and a half.

Been running like this for about 9 months. This may be too "Jeff Foxworthy" for some, but I couldn't find a fan that would fit conditions. Whatever you decide to do you'll be happier with a 3 row rad.

 

[Mercury Mike]

The way you took that photo is weiiiiiiiird.

 

[wallaka]

Might get flamed for this, but this is what I did. Got common aftermarket fan (not flex fan, straight steel so it wouldn't flex into the radiator) from chain store, can't remember original size, between 15"-17" I think. Measured for hose clearance, then cut one blade. Used removed piece as pattern to cut the rest to get them as even as possible. Have about 1 1/2" clearance from rad. First critcism is that blades may be uneven and cause wear on water pump. I guess so, but I took my time cutting and as far as I can tell it spins evenly. I'd like more clearance from the rad, but I'm comfortable enough with the inch and a half.

Been running like this for about 9 months. This may be too "Jeff Foxworthy" for some, but I couldn't find a fan that would fit conditions. Whatever you decide to do you'll be happier with a 3 row rad.

[img ]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b12/johnnyzoom/cometfan.jpg[/img]

[img ]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b12/johnnyzoom/cometfanclearance.jpg[/img]

That's what I was thinking. Of course, it IS winter and I'm not planning on driving in any cities, I might just leave it off for a while.

 

[rickwrench]

I ran a trimmed fan just like that one for about a year behind a 3 core radiator. I sent it off (to... Chaz???) after the big radiator was in.

I eventually modified the entire radiator support area and installed a giant aluminum crossflow radiator, about 2.5" forward of the original radiator location.
The big radiator sits on top of the front support instead of behind it. The original sat in the notch of those lower nagle braces.

There are a lot more pics on my site of the modification.

On a stock location 3 row radiator, two electric sucker fans would probably work fine.
Rick(wrench)

 

[wallaka]

Success! I shimmed the fan up about 5/16-3/8" and it clears with a quarter inch or so on the balancer, and a little over an inch on the radiator side. I was going to pull the second pulley off if that didn't work. Then the fan was hitting the nipple for the trans line, so I went to the hardware place and got a 90* elbow. Put it on, and I was golden. Drove it 50 miles or so from my parents' place. Man, that fan is loud! I'm just sooo glad to be back on the road after all this time. It feels good to do something and have it work. Thanks for your advice guys. I just might order some small fans if I can find them thin enough, there's really no room here. I'll take pictures later and post them. Also glad that I can keep the A/C, it gets HOT here.

--kevin

 

[johnnyzoom]

Glad you're back on the road. Please do post pics, I'd like to see how I could maybe go back to stock fan.

 

[wallaka]

Got some pics now, if you get a radiator from Advance this is what you'll need to do. Man, this radiator keeps it COOL. It hasn't gotten to the second mark on the temp guage yet, and it used to stay about 3/4 of the way over. I have a new water pump, new hoses, but kept the old thermostat to try to get some heat from the heater. I think I'll still have to block half the radiator off with cardboard, though. Didn't have to do this before, though it did get very warm very quickly inside.

About an inch of clearance:

From the bottom, showing the trans cooler adapter:

The radiator and fan make the rest of the engine bay look ugly:

 

[Anonymous]

I ran a trimmed fan just like that one for about a year behind a 3 core radiator. I sent it off (to... Chaz???) after the big radiator was in.

that you did...If you look at the pix of my car, you can see it (pre-wreck ofcourse)

 

[mustang6]

Dang that is close! I'd keep a careful eye on your water pump condition because if someday that front bushing starts to wear out your fan might wobble enough to eat that radiator for lunch!