How close, is to close for rad fans to water pump pulley space

Remember in that 408 overheating thread the last post was him using a mechanical fan and it bending and going into his radiator. Would have that happened with an electric fan?
I've got two 12-inch fans unshrouded and it seems to be working well but I believe my bigger radiator has quite a bit to do with that. I'd like it to cool a little better and I have some ideas for that as well. I will not go back to a mechanical fan. Don't like them never have.