Fan spacer - How close can it be?

Question

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 fora 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 morethan 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 theair-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 betweenthem? Do flex fans flex FORWARD? Or, do they just flex flat?  Egads, I'm scaredto start her up! LOL.

.boB · Accepted Answer

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.

Kathy and Erich Coiner · Answer

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 nothinghas hit in several thousand miles of hard driving. If my motor mounts giveway, I am going to lose the radiator and/or the steering rack.............Erich

PonyBoy · Answer

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 runhis even closer I'm fine.  Thanks again!

Fan spacer - How close can it be?

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