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Fan hit radiator!!


Daniel Black

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Location
Leicester, NC
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
302
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
205/60R15 & 225/60R15
My 351 uses fox Mustang brackets and pulleys with the Ford Performance 351 p/s and a/c bracket and I hollowed out the core support and mounted the Griffin universal radiator inside it to get fan clearance. I have a 15" Derale fan on a 1 1/2" spacer that gives me about 1 1/2" of clearance. I'd hate to see much less than an inch of space. Is that tiny radiator enough to cool it?
The first 300 miles the radiator had been doing great. I haven't been in a major traffic jam but normal driving I've never seen it past 190° with the 18" flex fan. It's just a base model 2.9 radiator I already had in a parts truck so I figured I'd try it and if it didn't work I'd buy one.
 


Daniel Black

Active Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Jan 28, 2017
Messages
288
Reaction score
44
Points
28
Location
Leicester, NC
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
302
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
205/60R15 & 225/60R15
I found a single groove crank pulley and was able to remove the fan spacer. New radiator and fan and I'm back in business. Tons of room now. I also figured out what happened to let the fan hit to begin with. I happened to notice the motor rocking front to back just sitting at idle and it's moving at the crossmember bushings. They looked fine while I had the crossmember out but they're shot. Also explained the weird clunking noise I've heard under first load sometimes.
 

adsm08

Senior Master Grease Monkey
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Location
Dillsburg PA
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31X10.50X15
My truck doesn't have power steering. If I can't find some single groove pullies I might have to go with an electric fan. I work at a late model salvage yard and we have electric fans piled everywhere. Surely I could find one that'll fit the radiator real tight.
Look for the E-fan from a 3.5L Taurus, Explorer or Flex.

I have a 302 with early 90s Town Car FEAD in a 65 Mustang. That fan, cut in half, fits well. I have it working off a universal thermostatic control kit from a parts store.
 

bobbywalter

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Location
woodhaven mi
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1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"

adsm08

Senior Master Grease Monkey
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Ford Technician
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Location
Dillsburg PA
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31X10.50X15

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
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23,470
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Points
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Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
a



o



d






or 6r80......yeah....6r80 that bad mofo.
 

PetroleumJunkie412

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Ranger
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2.9l Trinity
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4WD
My credo
Give 'yer balls a tug. Fight me.
I ran one of those style switches right up until Ohio mud and water got in it ?

American Volt sells a two pole switch on Amazon with a MUCH better two piece design. I'm running one and love it.

The bitch with the single pole design is eventually water gets in them, and you're SOL when your fan quits. Or worse, they get old and separate and you have a coolant sprayer. The two piece one is a solid brass plug, so worst case, you're just changing the switch and don't lose a drop when you do.

American Volt Electric Radiator Fan Power Thermostat Switch Temperature Sensor Thread-in Brass Probe (3/8" NPT, 190'F On - 175'F Off) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NCLCKS7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_juO0DbRYK5E9T
 

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Event Staff
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Technical Advisor
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ugly Truck of Month
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
23,470
Reaction score
4,667
Points
113
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
i run a weather pack setup and intech system.
 

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