Radiator and Fan clearance...

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Cuda416

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My son and I just dropped a 5.9 magnum into his 65 Valiant on Saturday and it became painfully obvious how little room there is inside that engine bay. ya see pictures and hear the stories, but holy moly that is a tight fit.

Now, we have the fun of fitting a radiator and fan. I've seen lots of swaps and many folks are using everything from factory units, to aftermarket aluminum units and I've even seen modified Dakota units used.

Our biggest problem right now, is the fan that we pulled off the engine appears to be way too big. It's hitting the radiator top edge and so clearly not going to work.

Long story short, what are good options for fans with a clutch for the early A+V8 combos? is there a good pick-a-part option?

There seems to be only about 4-5 inches between the water pump flange and the /6 radiator we have. We are NOT planning on using that rad but put it in for mock up and clearance checks.

Thanks!
 
Depends on what you are looking for. You have a LOT more room than I had. I don't know if you prefer electric or mechanical. You should have plenty of room to run a short clutch fan in there. I can't think of the part# off the top of my head, but I know that Hayden makes a 2.75" fan clutch.

By saying "the fan that we pulled off the engine appears to be way too big. It's hitting the radiator top edge and so clearly not going to work.",.. Are you saying the blades are above the top of the core, or above the radiator? If they are above the core, that is normal. I have an 18" fan on my '67 Barracuda. The shroud allows the blades to be above the core of the radiator. First pic is old setup. Second pic is new setup.

I don't have a lot of experience with pre-67 A-bodies. Do they run a 22" fan in them like the '67-'69 do? The problem I had is that I only had just under 3" of room between my water pump shaft and my radiator, so I could not fit a single electric fan with a shroud, and the "No Shroud" set-up the previous owner had in their wouldn't keep it cool. My 22" radiator was too narrow to run twin 12" fans and Cold Case told me they didn't think twin 10" fans would do the job.

I ended up going with a Derale performance flex fan rated to 8000 rpm and a good fitting shroud. Unfortunately, I did mine late last fall, so I don't have any experience in summer conditions yet, but I CAN say that it works better than it did. Before, I could not let the car idle as it just kept getting hotter. Now I can let it run as much as I want and the temp just floats between 175-185 degrees on my gauge (180 thermostat installed).

With 4-5 inches, you may be able to fit a nice big electric and a shroud in there too if that's what you prefer.

0918181651a.jpg


1105181617b.jpg
 
Depends on what you are looking for. You have a LOT more room than I had. I don't know if you prefer electric or mechanical. You should have plenty of room to run a short clutch fan in there. I can't think of the part# off the top of my head, but I know that Hayden makes a 2.75" fan clutch.

By saying "the fan that we pulled off the engine appears to be way too big. It's hitting the radiator top edge and so clearly not going to work.",.. Are you saying the blades are above the top of the core, or above the radiator? If they are above the core, that is normal. I have an 18" fan on my '67 Barracuda. The shroud allows the blades to be above the core of the radiator. First pic is old setup. Second pic is new setup.

I don't have a lot of experience with pre-67 A-bodies. Do they run a 22" fan in them like the '67-'69 do? The problem I had is that I only had just under 3" of room between my water pump shaft and my radiator, so I could not fit a single electric fan with a shroud, and the "No Shroud" set-up the previous owner had in their wouldn't keep it cool. My 22" radiator was too narrow to run twin 12" fans and Cold Case told me they didn't think twin 10" fans would do the job.

I ended up going with a Derale performance flex fan rated to 8000 rpm and a good fitting shroud. Unfortunately, I did mine late last fall, so I don't have any experience in summer conditions yet, but I CAN say that it works better than it did. Before, I could not let the car idle as it just kept getting hotter. Now I can let it run as much as I want and the temp just floats between 175-185 degrees on my gauge (180 thermostat installed).

With 4-5 inches, you may be able to fit a nice big electric and a shroud in there too if that's what you prefer.

View attachment 1715294752

View attachment 1715294753

Thanks for all that, I'll likely lose some spacing when we replace the radiator so I think I'll end up in the 3" ballpark eventually. I've not measured the fan radius but it was on a 98 durango. It actually hit the top of the radiator, the part the cap is on. I'll look at some after market flex fans and see where I get with them.

Not a fan of electric fans as a first choice.
 
Careful on the flex fans, as I noticed that most of them are only rated to 4000-5000 rpm, which seems kind of pointless to me. That's why I chose the one I did, as it was rated to 8000 rpm per Mancini Racing website.

I'm running that fan on a 1/2" spacer and it left me plenty of room in front of the radiator. Basically I bought a 1/2" and 1" spacer and chose the one that positioned my fan to the shroud so the blades were half in and half out of the shroud. That seemed to be the consensus on fan location to move the most air through the radiator. Works well on mine. You can hold your hand in front of the radiator and feel the air flowing through at idle.
 
Careful on the flex fans, as I noticed that most of them are only rated to 4000-5000 rpm, which seems kind of pointless to me. That's why I chose the one I did, as it was rated to 8000 rpm per Mancini Racing website.

I'm running that fan on a 1/2" spacer and it left me plenty of room in front of the radiator. Basically I bought a 1/2" and 1" spacer and chose the one that positioned my fan to the shroud so the blades were half in and half out of the shroud. That seemed to be the consensus on fan location to move the most air through the radiator. Works well on mine. You can hold your hand in front of the radiator and feel the air flowing through at idle.

Thanks, I appreciate the heads up.
 
Did you convert the front to LA style
Somebody, I think Hayden, tooled up and made a short-nose clutch for us guys.

Sorry, I see already posted; my computer was glitching this morning....
 
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Anyone see any issues putting this into an early A with a magnum?

Valiant Radiator (68-72) Both outlets passenger side

Outlet is in the right spot, but might there be issues with the inlet on pass side as well? Does't seem like there would since it was a factory configuration in later models, but I thought I'd ask just in case.
 
I never liked the inlet and outlet on the same side. I guess I was always worried that you may not get even flow across the width of the radiator. It's probably fine, but I'm thinking there is probably a reason the inlet and outlet are usually on opposite sides.
 
I never liked the inlet and outlet on the same side. I guess I was always worried that you may not get even flow across the width of the radiator. It's probably fine, but I'm thinking there is probably a reason the inlet and outlet are usually on opposite sides.

Hadn't thought of that, good call. it would make sense from a split cross flow setup, but not a normal down flow.

Thanks
 
When I went with a 360 magnum I put a magnum water pump and alt on and its close but all clears. I even modified a stock Dakota rad and shroud. I have run the motor but not driven it with this combo. I was able to use the stock Dakota overflow bottle as well, all is tight but has some clearance after cutting and filing. I was able to find a real short serpentine belt to run the water pump and alt only.
IMG_1554.jpg
IMG_1555.jpg
 
When I went with a 360 magnum I put a magnum water pump and alt on and its close but all clears. I even modified a stock Dakota rad and shroud. I have run the motor but not driven it with this combo. I was able to use the stock Dakota overflow bottle as well, all is tight but has some clearance after cutting and filing. I was able to find a real short serpentine belt to run the water pump and alt only.View attachment 1715298855 View attachment 1715298856

Thanks for this, doesn't look bad at all. Does look like a few inches on the drivers side are covered?
 
When I went with a 360 magnum I put a magnum water pump and alt on and its close but all clears. I even modified a stock Dakota rad and shroud. I have run the motor but not driven it with this combo. I was able to use the stock Dakota overflow bottle as well, all is tight but has some clearance after cutting and filing. I was able to find a real short serpentine belt to run the water pump and alt only.View attachment 1715298855 View attachment 1715298856

Awesome job.
Good work.
 
Don't mean to be a thread stealer, but Keith do you have a pic of the belt routing? That looks good!

And cuda416 do you have any pics of your set up? Im working on an early A vailiant.

Thanks all
 
Don't mean to be a thread stealer, but Keith do you have a pic of the belt routing? That looks good!

And cuda416 do you have any pics of your set up? Im working on an early A vailiant.

Thanks all

As it is, we really don't have a "set up" yet other than the motor is "in". We're working on the cooling right now. It's just the magnum and core support. I can certainly take pics later. Anything specific you need?
 
When I went with a 360 magnum I put a magnum water pump and alt on and its close but all clears. I even modified a stock Dakota rad and shroud. I have run the motor but not driven it with this combo. I was able to use the stock Dakota overflow bottle as well, all is tight but has some clearance after cutting and filing. I was able to find a real short serpentine belt to run the water pump and alt only.View attachment 1715298855 View attachment 1715298856


How is the fitment of hood/latch set up with what you have done?

Thanks, Dave
 
I put a Champion radiator in my wagon. The radiator sat too high and too far forward. (towards the engine) The hood touched the rad cap when closed, and there was no room for the fan.

I slotted the mounting holes by about 1/2 - 3/4 inch to get the radiator down so the cap didn't touch the hood. I tossed the flex fan that was on the car and used a stock fan, and a 1/2 inch spacer to get the fan to clear the radiator. I should have cut the mounts off the sides and had them rewelded in the correct position, but I was in a hurry to get the car back on the road.

My wagon is a /6, but you may have similar fitment issues with the Champion radiator.
 
I put a Champion radiator in my wagon. The radiator sat too high and too far forward. (towards the engine) The hood touched the rad cap when closed, and there was no room for the fan.

I slotted the mounting holes by about 1/2 - 3/4 inch to get the radiator down so the cap didn't touch the hood. I tossed the flex fan that was on the car and used a stock fan, and a 1/2 inch spacer to get the fan to clear the radiator. I should have cut the mounts off the sides and had them rewelded in the correct position, but I was in a hurry to get the car back on the road.

My wagon is a /6, but you may have similar fitment issues with the Champion radiator.

Which one did you try? What part no?
 
I have a similar issue with a champion radiator 65 Dart Magnum swap.
Everything works and operates but the Magnum fan sticks up about an inch and a half above the radiator wondering if I can get some sort of a shroud or custom make a shroud to cover that fan or cut down the blades on the fan is what I was thinking
 
I have a similar issue with a champion radiator 65 Dart Magnum swap.
Everything works and operates but the Magnum fan sticks up about an inch and a half above the radiator wondering if I can get some sort of a shroud or custom make a shroud to cover that fan or cut down the blades on the fan is what I was thinking

My son and I went out to the pick-n-pull and found some smaller fans to try. One is as small as 18" I wouldn't try cutting one down for balance issues.
 
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