15 or 16 inch Radiator Fan with thermal Clutch?

[chevykevy]

I have put a 71-72 front cross member in my 64 and have a SBC in as well. Engine is in the forward position. Made an aluminum fan shroud thanks to posts on the site by folks who have done this before. Problem is that the engine sits low enough that the lower radiator hose would be hit by the fan if I were to use anything larger than a 16 inch fan, leaving extra room beyond the 16 inches as well.

I currently have a Flex a lite fan (16") without a clutch. Between the constant fan and the shroud I think I will have trouble warming the engine. I started the engine for the first time last weekend and it takes quite a while to reach temperature. I am in Wyoming and it is in the 30's. I resorted to warming with a piece of cardboard covering the radiator and that did get the thermostat to open and flow through the radiator.

I think a clutch fan would help warm up, highway noise and free up some power. Anyone using a factory type or other 15 or 16 inch fan with thermal clutch?

[Brad54]

I have a '61, with a factory fan shroud, and I used the biggest reproduction fan I could find in the YearOne catalog that fit inside the shroud, and factory fan clutch.

I think it was a Mopar Big Block with A/C application.

I never got around to getting the shroud on.
With a 3-row 3/4-ton radiator (repro, bolted right in), and the fan sitting so far back from the radiator, it still held a sheet of paper tight to the front of the radiator. I almost never had a problem with it overheating in Atlanta, even on August days stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

It definitely helped with MPG, too.

-Brad

[chevykevy]

thanks Brad 54, I put a piece of paper up on mine too, it sucks it up tight at idle.

[ljackson]

I was using a fan and clutch from an 1981 chevy on my 64 with 283. It might fit in the space you have. I used a 2" spacer to get the fan inside the stock shroud. There specs in the link. I can get a measurement of the clutch if you need it. I think the clutch is in my garage. I got it from Oreilly auto.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...ing+fan+clutch

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...2577&ppt=C0095

[chevykevy]

Thanks ljackson, I looked at the site and it showed a total height of about 3 inches and the fan mount depth of about 1.5 inches, I think that will work