Radiator/Fan clearance issues - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**HeloCrewChief** · 12-27-2016, 08:02 PM

I purchased a custom made radiator off ebay for my 55 project with a Buick Nailhead. It has to have custom hose connections as the Nailhead uses opposite inlets of a typical SBC. It seems that there is no way for me to get the bottom hole to line up with the brackets they supplied and my radiator. I have the radiator as close to the core support as possible without making contact. Also, I only have a hair over 2" of clearance between center of the water pump pulley and radiator. Any idea of an ultra slim electric fand capable of cooling this thing? Thank you in advance.

**Advanced Design** · 12-27-2016, 10:34 PM

Here is a 2 inch fan. Can you use two thin and smaller diameter fans, one above and one below the water pump?
http://www.jegs.com/i/SPAL/063/30100...FQx9fgodLe4NqQ

Softpatch · 12-27-2016, 11:36 PM

why not a pusher fan mounted in front of Rad.?
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**joedoh** · 12-28-2016, 12:16 AM

nailhead c4, what a great combo!

I used a spal slim 16" fan on my 47, and a flex-a-lite FLX-33054 variable speed controller from summit. it is adjustable temp and doesnt just turn on/off, it starts out slow and if it needs more speed it speeds up. very neat.

one thing to remember is the 2" space is the min space you have just in front of the pulley. my e-fan was thickest at the center too and wouldnt mount dead center, so I just offset it to the hot side (crossflow) and the center chunk of the fan didnt interfere with the center of the water pump pulley on mine.

Daze57 · 12-28-2016, 04:51 AM

hey chief !!!

look up ''sidewinder fans '' the way these are made --the motor is way offset to the side so you can configure it to your needs .. i have less than 2 inches with my engine set up --- i have one of these mounted and it works out v well --also these fan as a puller haul in a great amount of air . the whole fan can be turned 360 degrees and placed where you need it .........hope this helps ---look it up --it may be what you can use --- its not real cheap but it is worth a look at sir !.....this is the one i use

**HeloCrewChief** · 12-28-2016, 11:50 AM

Thank you for all the quick replys. I've kind of ruled out a pusher fan as the factory cross bracing would interfere with that. I'm hesitant to remove that cross bracing as I'm sure the factory put it there to prevent flex issues. I can't offset the fan that came with my radiator as it takes up the entire mounting surface of the radiator. The best solution posted seems to be the sidewinder fan as that one flows 2-3 times more than the other slim fans. I think I read that sidewinder fan flows 2500 CFM.

Daze57 · 12-28-2016, 01:38 PM

chief

as i mentioned -- the word i was lookin for was ''clocked'' so you can rotate it to the best position.

dwcsr · 12-28-2016, 03:47 PM

Why not a steel fan? It would fit the old school look. have someone stripe it nicely

**Advanced Design** · 12-28-2016, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwcsr

Why not a steel fan? It would fit the old school look. have someone stripe it nicely

I like this idea!

**HeloCrewChief** · 12-28-2016, 07:58 PM

Do you think a stock mechanical fan will flow enough air and fit in the tight space? Also, the guy that built my radiator said the reason the brackets are slanted like they are is because, the 55-59 core supports had a slight curve to them and are not straight like mine. Does that make sense or do I have the right core support and radiator guy is wrong.

dwcsr · 12-28-2016, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeloCrewChief

Do you think a stock mechanical fan will flow enough air and fit in the tight space? Also, the guy that built my radiator said the reason the brackets are slanted like they are is because, the 55-59 core supports had a slight curve to them and are not straight like mine. Does that make sense or do I have the right core support and radiator guy is wrong.

it should fit nicely. Bolt it right to the top pulley. I think it would flow enough as long as its not a flex fan and you don't have 500 hp. You should make up a nice shroud for it. My thinking is anyone looking at it will only see it stopped so why not dress it up.

Yes they were tiled slightly but is was the radiator bracket that was angled on the radiator not the support.

OrrieG · 12-29-2016, 12:30 PM

Radiator core is perpendicular to the frame. Radiator and brackets are tilted 4 degrees to match engine tilt and locate fan parallel with the radiator.

Flysocal · 12-29-2016, 01:37 PM

I'm having clearance issues also on my 54. Everything will fit but it's tight. I wish I recesssed my firewall but to go back and redo would be a ton of work. I think that's the answer. Get the engine back as far as you can with a 4" recess and your good to go. But looking at your pictures that's not gonna happen! That's hot rodding!

12-27-2016, 08:02 PM	#1
HeloCrewChief Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: North Alabama Posts: 1,056	Radiator/Fan clearance issues I purchased a custom made radiator off ebay for my 55 project with a Buick Nailhead. It has to have custom hose connections as the Nailhead uses opposite inlets of a typical SBC. It seems that there is no way for me to get the bottom hole to line up with the brackets they supplied and my radiator. I have the radiator as close to the core support as possible without making contact. Also, I only have a hair over 2" of clearance between center of the water pump pulley and radiator. Any idea of an ultra slim electric fand capable of cooling this thing? Thank you in advance. Attached Images __________________ 1970 C10 to K20 conversion 1974 GMC Jimmy 1968 50th Anniversary Short Bed 1968 Chevelle 1964 Comet Caliente 1990 W250 Cummins

12-27-2016, 10:34 PM	#2
Advanced Design Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Oblong, Illinois Posts: 7,028	Re: Radiator/Fan clearance issues Here is a 2 inch fan. Can you use two thin and smaller diameter fans, one above and one below the water pump? http://www.jegs.com/i/SPAL/063/30100...FQx9fgodLe4NqQ __________________ Doug Advanced Design’s 1977 Blazer Build Advanced Design's '48 'Burb Build Mrs Advanced Design's '72 Suburban Advanced Design's 56 BelAir LS swap

12-27-2016, 11:36 PM	#3
Softpatch Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Vashon WA Posts: 969	Re: Radiator/Fan clearance issues why not a pusher fan mounted in front of Rad.? . . . __________________ My Spelling is Not Incorrect...It's 'Creative' . . 1966 C-20 .....Swap 91 G-30(5.7 FI)/4L80E http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=789617 59 Viking Revival .. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=632341

12-28-2016, 12:16 AM	#4
joedoh Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Doodah Kansas Posts: 7,774	Re: Radiator/Fan clearance issues nailhead c4, what a great combo! I used a spal slim 16" fan on my 47, and a flex-a-lite FLX-33054 variable speed controller from summit. it is adjustable temp and doesnt just turn on/off, it starts out slow and if it needs more speed it speeds up. very neat. one thing to remember is the 2" space is the min space you have just in front of the pulley. my e-fan was thickest at the center too and wouldnt mount dead center, so I just offset it to the hot side (crossflow) and the center chunk of the fan didnt interfere with the center of the water pump pulley on mine. __________________ the mass of men live lives of quiet desperation if there is a problem, I can have it. new project WAYNE http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=844393

12-28-2016, 04:51 AM	#5
Daze57 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Las Vegas - Nev. aka Sin City Posts: 1,835	Re: Radiator/Fan clearance issues hey chief !!! look up ''sidewinder fans '' the way these are made --the motor is way offset to the side so you can configure it to your needs .. i have less than 2 inches with my engine set up --- i have one of these mounted and it works out v well --also these fan as a puller haul in a great amount of air . the whole fan can be turned 360 degrees and placed where you need it .........hope this helps ---look it up --it may be what you can use --- its not real cheap but it is worth a look at sir !.....this is the one i use Attached Images

12-28-2016, 11:50 AM	#6
HeloCrewChief Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: North Alabama Posts: 1,056	Re: Radiator/Fan clearance issues Thank you for all the quick replys. I've kind of ruled out a pusher fan as the factory cross bracing would interfere with that. I'm hesitant to remove that cross bracing as I'm sure the factory put it there to prevent flex issues. I can't offset the fan that came with my radiator as it takes up the entire mounting surface of the radiator. The best solution posted seems to be the sidewinder fan as that one flows 2-3 times more than the other slim fans. I think I read that sidewinder fan flows 2500 CFM. __________________ 1970 C10 to K20 conversion 1974 GMC Jimmy 1968 50th Anniversary Short Bed 1968 Chevelle 1964 Comet Caliente 1990 W250 Cummins

12-28-2016, 01:38 PM	#7
Daze57 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Las Vegas - Nev. aka Sin City Posts: 1,835	Re: Radiator/Fan clearance issues chief as i mentioned -- the word i was lookin for was ''clocked'' so you can rotate it to the best position.

12-28-2016, 03:47 PM	#8
dwcsr Hollister Road Co. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 6,131	Re: Radiator/Fan clearance issues Why not a steel fan? It would fit the old school look. have someone stripe it nicely

12-28-2016, 07:58 PM	#10
HeloCrewChief Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: North Alabama Posts: 1,056	Re: Radiator/Fan clearance issues Do you think a stock mechanical fan will flow enough air and fit in the tight space? Also, the guy that built my radiator said the reason the brackets are slanted like they are is because, the 55-59 core supports had a slight curve to them and are not straight like mine. Does that make sense or do I have the right core support and radiator guy is wrong. __________________ 1970 C10 to K20 conversion 1974 GMC Jimmy 1968 50th Anniversary Short Bed 1968 Chevelle 1964 Comet Caliente 1990 W250 Cummins

12-29-2016, 12:30 PM	#12
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: Radiator/Fan clearance issues Radiator core is perpendicular to the frame. Radiator and brackets are tilted 4 degrees to match engine tilt and locate fan parallel with the radiator. __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

12-29-2016, 01:37 PM	#13
Flysocal Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Glendale Posts: 414	Re: Radiator/Fan clearance issues I'm having clearance issues also on my 54. Everything will fit but it's tight. I wish I recesssed my firewall but to go back and redo would be a ton of work. I think that's the answer. Get the engine back as far as you can with a 4" recess and your good to go. But looking at your pictures that's not gonna happen! That's hot rodding!



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