Radiator connumdrum

[HP_Cuda]

 :wave:Well after fighting with the installation of my Champion radiator I finally got it in to then find out how close the clutch fan is from the radiator.

How much room is there supposed to be between the clutch and the radiator? I'd hate to bury the clutch into the new rad.

 

[CudamanTom]

Wow, that's close.
Sorry I don't have the answer but I think it's a good call to verify.

[cordodge]

looks like you will have to do away with the clutch and maybe run a 7 blade solid fan?

[crocha617]

Was it a big fight to fit in there? Please explain I was thinking of ordering one for a 440 26" support with auto. doesn't it bolt right in? How about the fan shroud mounting?

[HP_Cuda]

Guess I have to give away all my secrets now. 

The Champion I got was a 4 row radiator based on the HP I should be producing. This may be adding to the thickness of my problem. I ordered the stock clutch fan for a 440 and I believe since the stock radiator is thinner this is not a problem.

The radiator wasn't that bad to lower into place but the pain in the a**  was that I had to modify the upper left mounting point (driver side top). Basically I had to enlarge the hole to even get the bolt to start. It's a pretty tight fit as far as tightening down the bolts so I'd rather not pull it again. I think I can pull the clutch off but then again the nub from the water pump might prevent me. Add to this I had to use spacers to get proper belt alignment. Ughhh!

Onto the shroud, it does fit but you need to basically pinch the plastic from each side to get the holes to line up. You cannot just lay the shroud on top of the radiator and have it line up. It's doable but it will be a slight pain.

After writing all this I think I may have already found that I have to pull the radiator again! Oh the humanity!

 

[Strawdawg]

Fan should be 3/4"-1 1/4"  from radiator as I recall

Or the fan blade should be about 75% into the shroud

Steve

[HP_Cuda]

I am thinking of pulling the radiator and having the clutchfan decked to get more room.

Good thing I have a friend with a machine shop.

[HP_Cuda]

I took a look at my other Cuda and found that it was exactly 1" away from the radiator and it looks about right.

So for more good news, I pulled the clutch fan without having to pull the radiator and no damage was done. I found out that the clutch fan I have now is 3.5" tall so I should go for something like 3" tall or just short of that to get my desired distance. I believe I have about 1/2" now.

Ordering a new hayden clutch and I think this one will work for good!

[ChallengerHK]

Could you cut the spacer down to bring you back to the correct clearance?

[Strawdawg]

They make spacers in increments of half inches

Steve

[HP_Cuda]

The spacers are used to push the pulley out to make the belt align better.

So that wouldn't work. The only way is to find a shorter fan clutch.

[Strawdawg]

The spacers are used to push the pulley out to make the belt align better.

So that wouldn't work. The only way is to find a shorter fan clutch.

Defintion problem--Spacer I was referring to mounts on the pilot sticking out of the pump flange and positions the fan with relation to the radiator

Also, flex fans don't go on clutchs...on fixed blade factory style fans are used with a clutch

Having said all that, I think Chryco as posted the number of a Jaguar fan clutch that is not as deep as the ones we normally use.  You might ask him? 

[HP_Cuda]

I never said flex fan so 

The problem is specifically from the pulley face to the end of the fan clutch. You could try and deck the surface of the clutch fan mount point but as it's only a 1/4 inch thick it wont help much with my problem

If you research haydens you can find one that works.

Good luck!

[Strawdawg]

Well after fighting with the installation of my Champion radiator I finally got it in to then find out how close the flex fan is from the radiator.

How much room is there supposed to be between the clutch and the radiator? I'd hate to bury the clutch into the new rad.

 

Here? 

[HP_Cuda]

As you can see from the pic its not a flexfan

C L U T C H