Radiator Help!!

[Franchise_24]

Hey guys just have a quick question. I put a new original head on my 28 Leatherback because the one I had on there had a crack. While I had it apart I took off the 4 blade fan that was on it and replaced it with an original 2 blade fan. Now as I'm putting it all back together the fan hits the neck that hangs down on the radiator. No matter if I move it forward or not it still hits. It's almost like the radiator needs to be shimmed up to make it higher so the fan will clear. Can this be done, and if so can you give details? Thanks for the help.

Neal

[Bob C]

Check out this thread. http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=143478

Bob

[H. L. Chauvin]

Neal,

If you do a search on "original" fans on this Forum & the other Model A Forum, many have had unforeseen "original" fan cracks under paint & said fans have been reported to totally ruin radiators & even have fan blades penetrating through hoods.

On the other hand, it has been reported that some people who do not check for fan cracks have been known to have heads harder than metal hoods & it appears fans will not harm them.

But seriously, please look for cracks.

[Wello]

Just a few random thoughts:

Is it an ill fitting aftermarket radiator? This may be the reason for the four blade fan in the first place.

What motor mounts are you running? Improper motor angle in relation to the frame could result in the front of the motor sitting too high, bringing the fan tip too close to the radiator inlet.

Let us know what resolves your problem. I'm always interested in seeing how these quirks are resolved.

Dan

[JOES31]

You might find that the distance from the face of the radiator and the front of the fan is less with the 4 blade than with the 2 blade aluminum. In other words the 2 blade might set back farther and with the angled down outlet it creates a clearance problem.

You could shim up the radiator or use the adjusting rods on the top of the radiator to adjust the radiator a bit rearward however if your hood fits really nice it will affect the alignment of the hood.

[Franchise_24]

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Well I did notice that when I took the radiator bolts out it did not have the pads under it, so I don't know if missing those would make that much of a difference, but I shimmed it up and now the 2 blade fan clears it with no problems. Thanks for all the replies.

[Fred]

Originally Posted by Franchise_24

Well I did notice that when I took the radiator bolts out it did not have the pads under it, so I don't know if missing those would make that much of a difference, but I shimmed it up and now the 2 blade fan clears it with no problems. Thanks for all the replies.

Do "NOT" tighten the bottom nuts & springs down tight !!..

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Fred

Do "NOT" tighten the bottom nuts & springs down tight !!..

It sure would have been easier to install the hardware if the springs and nuts were on the bottom, but Ford put them on top.