Radiator issue in 65 Mustang 200

[texas_ag]

Hello,
I've got an issue I was hoping someone could help me with. I've got a 65 200 ci Mustang with a radiator clearance issue. The car came to me with a 2 row radiator and large 6-blade fan. The only copper replacement radiator I could find was 3-row, but it will not fit with the existing fan. I was able to get it to fit with an OEM 15" fan by eliminating the spacer, but clearances are still too close for comfort.

I did a search and found a couple of similar issues, but I'm still at a loss. I'd like to keep a stock look if possible. I think part of the problem is the mounting brackets sit flush with the front edge of the core. The old radiator sat recessed in some (to the front). Could I get a shop to relocate the brackets?

I also read a suggestion to shift the engine back some on its motor mounts. Is this possible? Will there be enough "play" in the driveshaft to allow this? How can I tell?

If anyone has any tips or suggestions, I'm all ears. This is very frustrating. Here are a couple of before and after pics, assuming this works:
Before - http://automotivedaydreams.files.wordpr ... _1109b.jpg
After - http://automotivedaydreams.files.wordpr ... 05512b.jpg

Thank you,
Jason

 

[MPGmustang]

what I did is take a 4bls hammer where the radiator bolts to, gained almost an inch and you can hardly tell a hammer done it. I did it with the radiator and fan out of the car.

 

[MustangSix]

You can pick up a little more clearance by bolting the radiator to the other side of the support. Cut two slots in the support to allow you to slide the radiator in front of the support. Reverse the retaining nuts. That will give you up to 3/4" more depending on the tank clearance.

I think you should look for a better fan. Those flex fans are awful, so don't go back to that. They make lots of noise, use lots of power, and often fly apart. Sometimes they flex into the radiator. In cars where I have enough room, I prefer a good clutch fan on daily drivers. Lots of air, low noise, lower power loss.

I'm not sure how much power a stock fan consumes, but it's probably on the order of 5-7 hp. That's about 10% of your RWHP! Installing an electric fan might make a noticeable difference.

 

[texas_ag]

MustangSix, I'm a little confused. I'm not running a flex fan, as far as I understand what a flex fan is. This is the fan that was on it: http://automotivedaydreams.files.wordpr ... 05507b.jpg

This is the fan I replaced it with, sans spacer: http://automotivedaydreams.files.wordpr ... em-fan.jpg

I'm considering an electric fan, but have to figure out how to move the radiator up first. I've got at least an inch I can play with between the tank and the top of the radiator support. Thanks for all the suggestions so far, please keep them coming.

 

[MustangSix]

Gotcha. The original first photo looked like a flex fan to me, but seeing it now, it's not that flexy. Still looks like it's a power eater.

Without a shroud, the fan should be about 3/4" from the radiator. More than that and it won't pull air thru the rad; it'll just suck air from the fan's outside edges.

With shroud, you can put the fan a lot further back since the air will get ducted thru the rad. That would be the best setup if you keep the engine driven fan.

You could mount an electric in front of the radiator, but it's not as effective that way. I had the fan on the crossflow Mustang mounted like that and it worked fine.