Fan spacer - How close can it be?

- P
- PonyBoy
  
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posted
20 years ago

Thu, Oct 16, 2003 4:24 AM

I got a 1966 mustang. It is a 6-cylinder that was converted to a V8 289. It needed a bigger radiator because it overheated with the old radiator made for a 6-cylinder. So, I put a three-row radiator in it. It has a flex fan with a 3" spacer.

The problem is, the 3" spacer places the front of the fan just a little more than 1/2" away from the new radiator! About 5/8" total. Man, that is close! If I use a 2-1/2" fan spacer then it's going to be 1/2" from the bolt on the air-conditioning pulley (from behind). Not much room for leeway!

So is a flex fan to close to the radiator if there is only 5/8" space between them? Do flex fans flex FORWARD? Or, do they just flex flat? Egads, I'm scared to start her up! LOL.

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- .boB
  
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posted
20 years ago

Thu, Oct 16, 2003 5:01 AM

They flex out flat. So at speed you get more space behind the fan. I would use the smaller spacer. It should place the fan blades closer to the rear of the shroud, where it is more effective. Ideally, the face of the fan should be about 1/2-1" inside the rear of the shroud, so the blades stick out the back a little.

- K
- Kathy and Erich Coiner
  
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posted
20 years ago

Sat, Oct 18, 2003 3:49 AM

5/8 th inch is a country mile. I am running a flex fan in a Sunbeam Tiger. My gap is 3/8 inch and nothing has hit in several thousand miles of hard driving. If my motor mounts give way, I am going to lose the radiator and/or the steering rack.............

Erich

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- PonyBoy
  
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posted
20 years ago

Thu, Oct 23, 2003 1:50 AM

Thanks everyone! I cranked her up and she ran just fine! I just wasn't used to seeing only 5/8" between fan and radiator. It sure does look close. But I guess if Erich can run his even closer I'm fine. Thanks again!