Radiator clearance

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paulclark

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how much room.do I need to leave between radiator and fan blades? I'd like to run a fan clutch but not sure there's room.

previous owner installed a 383 with elephant ears, and ran an electric fan, but id like to return it back to period stock style fan. This is in a 67 Dart.

thanks!
 
When you order a fan clutch like from Rockauto, a list will pop up that “fit your car”. They are not all the same. Clicking on the info tab you will find the spec, “distance from flange to fan clutch” then find the on you would need.

Someone will chime in with the correct spec I’m sure. I run mine 1” away.
 
Awesome info. I picked up a fan and clutch from a 67 Polara, going to find out today how close it comes to fitting. It's way more compact front to back than I thought it would be.

Kudos to the FABO racers' forum where I found lots of great input from people running electrics, fans, and fan clutches, and how that worked for them. This is my first big block A-body, so I'm discovering bit by bit how the builder fit the motor in there. Makes it look easy when it's in place, then I realize what had to be solved during that build - like radiator clearance which I hadn't thought of before. All this is great learning and prototype for doing this with another A-body later on. I'm glad I'm learning on a car already built.

Restoration thread here:
67 Dart GT Racecar Rescue
 
I used a Cordoba radiator and shroud along with a clutch fan and a big 7 blade OEM fan on my '72 Duster.
DSC_3678 (Large).JPG
 
I used the Hayden #2947. it is tight and a pain to mount, but fit fits nicely

Put radiator shroud over water pump towards engine, enough to get access to bolts
Put a piece of cardboard against radiator to protect it.
Install fan and clutch
then install shroud
 
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