Slant Six Forum
https://slantsix.org/forum/

Anyone set the engine back in an early A-body?
https://slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=68777		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  MadScientistMatt [ Wed Oct 07, 2026 4:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Anyone set the engine back in an early A-body?
Trying to get more fan clearance in my '66 Dart. Currently using a 16" electric Flexalite fan and it struggles to keep temperature under control in stop and go traffic in Atlanta summers. I have found a very thin (2.5") Mercedes clutch fan that appears to clear the radiator but doesn't leave a lot of room. I am running polyurethane motor mounts, but would like to give the fan a bit more space for peace of mind. Are there any good ways to get the engine back about 1/2" to 1" or so in early A's?
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Wed Oct 07, 2026 8:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Anyone set the engine back in an early A-body?
The quick answer is no. The full answer is not without spending a lotttttt more effort-money-time than it's worth. There are much less invasive/brutal ways of achieving what you want. Which one(s) to do depends on the current configuration, specification, and condition of your entire cooling system – radiator, fan shroud, hood-to-rad-support seal, thermostat, coolant type – and answers to questions like "What exactly does 'struggle to keep temperature under control' look like, and how is it being measured?" and "Does this car have air conditioning?".
Author:  Dart270 [ Thu Oct 08, 2026 4:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Anyone set the engine back in an early A-body?
Yep, sounds like you have other cooling issues if a 16" will not do it. I have fit elec fans (1-2 depending on size, puller mode) in 64-66 A bodies with 2" deep custom-mounted deep alum radiators without much ado. Maybe radiator mounting needs to be modified?

I think you could move the engine and trans back 0.5" fairly easily. In fact, I should really do this when I put the engine back in my 64 Dart and when I put the 5spd in the 62.

I moved my 68 Dart's engine forward 5/8" by slotting the motor mount brackets on the engine (both engine side and mount side) and welding washers on for strength. Trans X-member will be more work, but should be too bad if you can weld. I did this when I put the A500 trans and 1.1" adapter plate in the 68.

Lou
Author:  Rick Covalt [ Thu Oct 08, 2026 1:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Anyone set the engine back in an early A-body?
I put a crossflow aluminum radiator in my Valiant and an electric fan in front of the radiator. It keeps it cool even in 98 degree temps at Bristol and North Wilkesboro. Fan rarely runs at all if the car is moving and this is a high compression race engine. Moving the fan to the front gives you a couple extra inches between the radiator and the water pump.
Author:  MadScientistMatt [ Thu Oct 08, 2026 3:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Anyone set the engine back in an early A-body?
Quote:
The quick answer is no. The full answer is not without spending a lotttttt more effort-money-time than it's worth. There are much less invasive/brutal ways of achieving what you want. Which one(s) to do depends on the current configuration, specification, and condition of your entire cooling system – radiator, fan shroud, hood-to-rad-support seal, thermostat, coolant type – and answers to questions like "What exactly does 'struggle to keep temperature under control' look like, and how is it being measured?" and "Does this car have air conditioning?".
To answer the questions:

1. Temperature is being measured through my EFI system. I have not tried to do a sensor-specific calibration, but my experience is it's usually accurate to within ~3 degrees.
2. It struggles with keeping cool sitting still except in cold weather. Temperature can creep up to 215-220 and I have not tried sitting still idle for longer to see exactly where it tops out. The temperature will start dropping once it starts moving, which is why I have been thinking more air volume.
3. No air conditioning. There is a large intercooler that precludes using a pusher fan.

Now for the specs.

Radiator: Currently a Suzuki Grand Vitara radiator, about a 17" x 21" aluminum core. Also had issues with a thick circle track radiator that didn't have as much fan room. At the time I bought the current radiator, Champion was out of stock on direct fit radiators, and I was trying to avoid a $800+ part from US Radiator.

Fan: Flex-A-Lite 16" electric. The previous setup had a 12" fan due to clearance issues.

Shroud: None.

Hood to radiator seal: Yes.

Thermostat: 180 degrees, holds this in cold weather.

Coolant type: 50/50 traditional green stuff.

One other thought is I might try to bring down the idle. I am currently running EFI without an IAC valve and set the idle as a compromise for cold starts. This means it's idling around 800-900 RPM with the transmission in drive at operating temperature.
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Thu Oct 08, 2026 4:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Anyone set the engine back in an early A-body?
Quote:
Temperature can creep up to 215-220
This does not mean the car is overheating. If you are thinking along the lines of "I have a 180° thermostat, so the temperature should stay around that figure, and if it goes more than a little higher, that's an overheat"…that's not correct. The thermostat sets the minimum operating temperature, not the maximum.
Quote:
Shroud: None
This puts a limit on how much of the radiator core the fan can force air past.
Quote:
it's idling around 800-900 RPM with the transmission in drive at operating temperature.
That would be unpleasant to live with, and if you're spending a lot of time with your foot on the brake and the transmission in gear, it's gradually going to heat up your transmission fluid more than is nice.
Author:  Dart270 [ Fri Oct 09, 2026 4:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Anyone set the engine back in an early A-body?
Ahhh, intercooler. That is your space issue, I guess, and maybe limits airflow to rad. You could go to AEM water/MeOH injection and ditch the intercooler?

215-220 at idle may be just fine if it will hold that.

I have used Afco and Griffin and BeCool alum radiators with 2" core depth. What about 2X12" low profile puller fans?

Lou
Author:  MadScientistMatt [ Sat Oct 10, 2026 5:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Anyone set the engine back in an early A-body?
This is one of those cases where I know that the temperatures I'm seeing are not dangerous, but the fact that I don't know where it tops out (and have been a bit too chicken to let it keep going up to see where or if it stops) has me somewhat worried. Atlanta has plenty of both traffic and hot days, and I would rather have the temperature stop at 215 and know it won't go any further.

I'm not sure of a good way to do a shroud for an electric fan without setting the fan back. I wonder if the Polybushings motor mounts may have somehow moved the engine a half inch forward or so?

At this point I am wondering if I should experiment with the clutch fan, or install an IAC valve so I don't have to set the throttle as a compromise between cold starts and hot idle.
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Sat Oct 10, 2026 11:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Anyone set the engine back in an early A-body?
By all means, install an IAC! I have some new self-contained Bosch ones (hose inlet/hose outlet) if you want easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy (send me a DM)
Author:  MadScientistMatt [ Sat Oct 10, 2026 12:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Anyone set the engine back in an early A-body?
Thanks, I think I have one lying around somewhere.
Author:  Rick Covalt [ Sat Oct 10, 2026 1:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Anyone set the engine back in an early A-body?
Your transmission mount should be holding the engine pretty close the proper location.
Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC-07:00
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Limited
https://www.phpbb.com/