Space between fan and radiator

[jmcleek]

What would be the least amount of space between a mechical fan and the radiator?



John

 

[adsm08]

I'd go as close as half and inch if it isn't a flex fan.

 

[jmcleek]

2.3l fan/with cluch.

 

[adsm08]

Well, that isn't a flex fan.

 

[doorgunner]

What would be the least amount of space between a mechical fan and the radiator?



John

maybe we misunderstood the question? If it has a fan shroud the blades can be a couple inches from the radiator....the fan needs to fit far enough into the shroud to form a vacuum.....

BUT....like ads_ said keep the blades at least 1/2" away from the radiator

 

[jmcleek]

THanks, i was thinking it would be more than that.


John

 

[bearsrngr]

I had my slim line flex just over a half inch away. Under normal driving conditions it was fine but on hard accel I got some wheel hop and the fan touched the rad so I went electric. If I find an explorer front dress I will go back to the flex so I can try my luck with A/C.

 

[adsm08]

THanks, i was thinking it would be more than that.


John

You don't need a lot of space, just enough so the fan doesn't hit the rad and kill it. Now it won't be fun to work on like that, but it will work.

 

[clowe1965]

I used an electric pusher fan, but I don't have a/c and a different radiator to match my water pump supply. Honestly the headache of using a mechanical fan just isn't worth it.

 

[bobbywalter]

2wd normal truck you may get away with 1/2 an inch. hi powered spooled sticky tire truck under hard launch at the strip needs at least an inch.



2.5 - 3 inches if at all possible is ideal with a 4x4 and proper shroud.

2 inches is too close with a normal chassis/lift and big tires when you twist it up on hill climbs with an extended cab truck.....

i have at times had 7 inches to the radiators with a 4 in electric fans and still smashed the waterpump pulley into the fan and smashed the radiator.

 

[adsm08]

i have at times had 7 inches to the radiators with a 4 in electric fans and still smashed the waterpump pulley into the fan and smashed the radiator.

And most of us do not do the things you do.

In the most abusive situation I have ever gotten my truck into I have not moved the fan a half inch out of it's at-rest position.

 

[bobbywalter]

And most of us do not do the things you do.

In the most abusive situation I have ever gotten my truck into I have not moved the fan a half inch out of it's at-rest position.

actually most guys swapping in a v8 do.....they are launching hard.



i dont know how you know you dont get more then a 1/2 inch of movement? you only have a 1/2 inch clearance with a mechanical fan???? that is rare but i can see why you feel that way if you have a 1/2 inch and no problems you got one on me.


most of the mech fan drag trucks i have seen with less then an inch lunch the radiator eventually, which usually ends up in an electric fan swap being the quick fix. i am going way way back with that because the vast majority since the mid late 90's just start with e fans. often the fail was due to mount fail or stretch as well with strip activity.

but remember, its not just engine deflection, the chassis and core distort as well and one inch with those factors on a 10 year old truck is easy to eat up doing smokey donut burnouts.

 

[jmcleek]

Radiator is in droped and set in to where the ac use to be. 2.3L fan is in with over 1 inch maybe 1 1/4 clearance at the closes point. Radiator to low to and fan close to use fan shroud.