Electric cooling fan question.

Just put a 3 row aluminum radiator in my 51 chevy truck looks great- bolted right in. However the fan is less than 1/2 an inch from it - not good . I have looked at some very nice electric units (16) inch- and they are about 3/4 of an inch to thick - only got 31/2 inches of clearence between the radiator and the water pump pulley. anyone know of a thinner unit that doesnt cost a leg? i have heard of some running these as a blow through from the front - got lots of room there - but dont want to kill air flow going down the road . need input from those that have been here.
thanks Mitch

 

1/2" from radiator is no problem...
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I agree, 1/2" is fine. Build a shroud around it and you should be good to go.

 

I've had 3/8" clearance since I finished my truck 5000 miles ago.

Scares the***** out of me, but I've had a bit of 1/4" foam tape stuck to the closest part of the rad for most of that time and there's no witness marks on it yet...

 

Just make sure the fan you buy is a SPAL.

 

You don't need a electric fan with 1/2" clearance,,make sure you don't use a flimsy aluminum flex fan. HRP

 

Depends on how much "less than 1/2 inch" it is.....I think an engine driven fan is much better than electric only, so I'd try to save it. Can you move the rad support forward at all ( slot holes,etc.). Can you mount radiator from front side of support? Fan depth varies - can you find a thinner fan? You are looking for fractions of an inch - try them all. While I've built cars with only a pusher fan, Its not a good solution...... I agree 1/2 inch, or maybe even 3/8 is fine - and run a shroud.

 

also with the fan that close to the radiator you really dont need a shroud. The fan is close enough to the radiator that there isnt enough room for the shroud to pull from the corners.