Fan to radiator clearance question

[crash89]

I just installed a new clutch fan in my RR.. It is a 1969 with a 22" radiator and no shroud. It has about 1/2"-3/4" clearance between the front of the clutch and the radiator. I think I am safe, but wanted to check with those more knowledgable than me.

 

[WileERobby]

I recommend a shroud. And, a safety chain/bracket on the driver side engine.

 

[Zeppelin264]

Mine is 1/2" away with a 2 row and the Jaguar clutch.

Get a shroud, it will make all the difference.

 

[oldbee]

Just make sure the mtr.mts. are good.! A chain sure helps,but I've got old Moroso solid steel mounts from the racing days so I don't worry as much(?)

 

[Daves69]

FWIW, MP recommends 3/4" from the radiator minimum.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

I think your clearance is fine, but these guys make a good point....chain that motor or run solid mounts.....good idea so the fan doesn't get all "wiggly" and get into the radiator. And DEFINITELY run a fan shroud or that new clutch fan won't be cooling your motor very well.

 

[66Satellite47]

FYI, I have a clutch fan with no shroud, aluminum radiator, about 1" clearance. Works very well. Shroud probably helps a fair amount with stock radiator.

 

[Rick62]

"Mine is 1/2" away with a 2 row and the Jaguar clutch.

Get a shroud, it will make all the difference."

There's nothing wrong with the Jag clutch but the new 2947 Hayden fan clutch is probably a better choice. According to the Hayden website the "heavy duty" clutches spin a faster rate relative to water pump shaft speed.
http://www.haydenauto.com/Featured Products-Fan Clutches and Fan Blades/Content.aspx

 

[crash89]

"Mine is 1/2" away with a 2 row and the Jaguar clutch.

Get a shroud, it will make all the difference."

There's nothing wrong with the Jag clutch but the new 2947 Hayden fan clutch is probably a better choice. According to the Hayden website the "heavy duty" clutches spin a faster rate relative to water pump shaft speed.
http://www.haydenauto.com/Featured Products-Fan Clutches and Fan Blades/Content.aspx

That's the one I got, the HD one. I will have to fabricate a shroud. Nothing off the shelf looks like it will work. The shroud I had on the old radiator won't fit.
Thanks for all the input!!

 

[Zeppelin264]

I had to fabricate mine. Luckily my buddy is a sheet metal guy, so wasn't too hard.

 

[GetX'd]

I think your distance to radiator is fine. Yeah a bit closer than you'd want it ideally but workable. My 440 is about the space - but I have a shroud. Triple core radiator.

 

[oldbee]

Shroud makes a world of difference.

 

[WileERobby]

Shroud makes a world of difference.

Exactly. A fan spinning around does draw air though the radiator,but also alot of air turbulence; the shroud enables the fan to pull the air through much more efficiently.

 

[moparedtn]

Like others have said, that's too close for comfort if it were me unless you knew that engine wasn't going to move much at all - and they do on stock mounts.

I just went through all the grief of replacing my entire cooling system, including the trials and errors of trying like heck to get a clutch to fit.
I have a 22" radiator support as well, but there's a 26" Griffin full width (3") core aluminum radiator in there now, along with a factory shroud - and no clutch on the fan at all, just an 18" 7-blade fan.
The car runs really cool now, just like I wanted.
You're only picking up a couple hp with a clutch - it isn't worth the risk or the hassle in my opinion.

 

[absolutfrase]

I'd go with a 1". 1/2 to 3/4" too close; motor mounts have some wiggle in them. Shroud will be a big improvement on cooling, especially in traffic.

 

[moparedtn]

When picking out a fan spacer, whether a clutch or an actual spacer, the fan blades should be set up where they're at least half in/half out of the shroud, if not a little more in.
Too deep or too shallow and the shroud isn't effective, as the "vacuum" effect is lost.
After a TON of experimentation on mine, I finally went with a spacer instead of the clutch (shortest clutch still put the fan too close to the radiator) and this thing cools like no Mopar I've ever seen in my life!

 

[coloradodave]

Great to hear you got it squared away, Ed.

 

[moparedtn]

Great to hear you got it squared away, Ed.

Thanks to folks like you, I think I have, Dave. I thanked you in that thread as well.
So far, so good. More extensive driving will tell the tale and with it being in the mid to high 90's around here the last week and a half, I haven't taken it out much - health won't allow that.
Relief (and some driving) is coming, though!

 

[crash89]

The advice here is great. I agree with moparedtn. I think I have a shroud I can modify to fit. While I didn't disagree that a shroud is very important, I was going to wait until winter to make one. With the car being down as long as it has been, it made sense to work one. Besides, I was bored waiting on some other parts. LOL