After my radiator swap I installed a clutch fan I have (7 blade) off a 318. The fan clutch has just shy of 1/2" of clearance from the radiator (22" re-cored)...maybe close to 1/3" of clearance. Is this too little clearance? Opinions?


I've read the various threads on the mercedes 280 fan clutch which is shorter. If you guys feel I should go that route for additional clearance, does anyone know if the bolt holes for the fan line-up? So I can use the same 7 blade fan off this current mopar 'longer' clutch? Like this one for example...ebay link:
http://tinyurl.com/4xzc7d7

No, I ran mine that way on my Dart for many years......before the electric fan conversion. I have stood that car on it's nose many times from folks cutting across 5 lanes during the commutes down I-405. The radiator and fan never touched and still looks perfect.

My 440 cars are about the same distance and they are stock factory. My 69 Chrysler 300 with the clutch fan setup maybe a hair closer than the 72 Imperial. It has run all these years that way.

Given a choice, more space would be nice as an insurance if there was a clutch fan failure. The MOPAR unit Summit sells is about the shortest I have found. Most after market clutch fan units I have found at our local automotive parts stores are deeper and won't work.

I prefer the electric fan setup around here (Puget Sound).

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Aggressive Ted

http://cid-32f1e50ddb40a03c.photos.live ... %20Swinger


74 Swinger, 9.5 comp 254/.435 lift cam, 904, ram air, electric fans, 2.5" HP2 & FM70 ex, 1920 Holley#56jet, 2.76 8 3/4 Sure-Grip, 26" tires, 25+MPG

If you can slip the fan belt thru that space, you are good.
DD
(I hate having to pull the radiator to change a fan belt! )

Pick your fan clutch carefully -- they don't all work the same. You want a thermostatic one, not a centrifugal one, and if your car has A/C you want one with idle lock-in.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Thank you, I understand. I was mainly wondering if the mercedes (shorter) fan clutches have the same bolt pattern on the clutches to attach the fan blades. The pattern looks very similar to the Mopar one. Can anyone with a Mercedes clutch confirm or deny this? Thanks!

Not even slightly close. The Mercedes clutch works only with the Mercedes fan blade. However, both the Mercedes and the Mopar fan clutch has the same bolt pattern to go onto the water pump.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.