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

IMHO...

Back in the day gas cost 20 cents per gallon and people didn't care too much about gas mileage. Fans were big, steep pitch and moved a tone of air

Than the gas crunch happened and gas cost twice as much almost over night. People and the government got concerned about gas milage. Fans were still large and steep pitched but to increase mileage a thermal clutch was added to reduce load on the eng at speeds where the fan is not needed.

Next, the pitch on the fans was reduced to put less drain on the engine but that resulted in less cooling. So a PROPPERLY DESIGNED shroud was added to help pull air through rad.

Finally engines got smaller V6, I4, radiators got larger, electric fans were added and all was right in the world.

The problem is we have big engines, small radiators, and we are trying to adapt the new tech with POORLY DESIGNED shrouds, electric fans etc.

The two are not totally compatable.
They can be made to work, but if you block 50% of your air flow with a shroud, your asking for trouble.

Before the flaming starts i recognise that shrouds have been in use for many years and with fans that do not have clutches and have steep pitches. Above is just a generalization.

My point is the need for shrouds etc was a result of trying to get beter fuel economy not to just improve cooling.

Let the flaming begin