How close is your fan to your radiator?

sjw5350 · 01-08-2009, 02:13 PM

I just put a new radiator in my CJ7 with a 258 and the fan looks realy close i had to cut the spacer to make it fit. The replacement one is three core and the old one was two core. it was the only one the part store sells. Im just conserned that the body will flex and the fan will hit. are all the CJ this way?[IMG]

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Ronzi · 01-08-2009, 02:48 PM

That does look too close to me and I also would worry about the flex. If it was me I would put an electric fan on it that had a shroud and be done with it. I know they aint cheap but neither is buying another new radiator.

whittlecj · 01-08-2009, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjw5350

click free

Are you locked in to using the 3 core? Can you still return it? If so look for the 2 core HD cooling model.

Bakunin · 01-08-2009, 03:16 PM

Is that a flex fan or are you just running without a fan clutch? I'm not a big fan of either method, personally. This looks kinda tight to me. My fan clutch sits 1-5/8" away from the radiator and the fan blades are 2.5" away.

j33pman · 01-08-2009, 03:40 PM

that spacer looks to be way thicker than a stock one.

Maybe that's why it sits so close. I have a three core in mine and I have adequate spacing on mine

SuB8HaVeN · 01-08-2009, 04:16 PM

That looks a little too close for comfort. But I agree, that silver adapter looks longer than the factory one. I ran a 2 core back when I had the mechanical fan and it was close but not near that close. I have a 3 core now with electric fans and had to do some serious cutting to get the fans and shroud installed.

Jeep2003 · 01-08-2009, 05:04 PM

looks like they put the spacer on there to compensate for the new flex fan which is counter intuative. Iv seen peopel run their fans alot closer than that without problems but not a flex fan! Id recomend you go back to a factory fan without the spacer unless you think it needs it. that should solve your problems. Flex fans are bad news

Bakunin · 01-08-2009, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeep2003

Flex fans are bad news

I have to agree with that. I've seen flex fans fail spectacularly and I've seen them eat up radiators.

I probably sound like an old stick in the mud but the stock fan with a properly working fan clutch will save you some strain on your motor as it will partially disengage the fan at times. Also look around for a fan shroud as it will make your cooling system far more efficient.

**lucdog** · 01-08-2009, 06:16 PM

I had a flex fan on my cj5 with a 305 chevy. i found that about 1500 to2000 rpm the blades would flatten out causing a overheating problem when offroading. It came with the jeep. used a stock 305 fan no more problem. also 3 inches from the rad. After checking rad. in my 80and 83 cj's with 3 and 2 core radiators the third core is in the front.

bill

**chet44** · 01-08-2009, 06:38 PM

That looks like a flex fan to me. And it is way too close. It almost looks like the fan is as close to your belts it is to the radiator. I had the same problem when I first got my Jeep. The PO had 1" spacers holding the raidiator away from the grille. He had the spacers in because the grille bushing was way too short, causing the bottom of the radiator to hit the steering box. I tell you all of this because looking at the placement of your radiator, fan, and belts, everything looks way too tight. I agree with Ronzi, I'd get a shroud with a electric fan in it.

dsfordguy · 01-08-2009, 07:27 PM

I don't mean to hijack this thread or anything but how long should that bushing be to hold the grill on? When I got my 73 cj5 it had washers spacing the radiator out like that too and the radiator actually broke my high pressure power steering hose from hitting bumps and the radiator resting on it. I looked and there is no bolt or bushing holding the grill to the frame. Just the two metal bars that connect to the firewall. What should I use to fix this?

Thanks

**chet44** · 01-08-2009, 08:48 PM

The rubber bushing (stock) thickness is 1.5" If you have a body lift it will be higher. I have a 1" (I think) body lift, so I cut a 1.75" x 3" diameter piece of rubber for my bushing. The PO had a 3/4" bushing in there, and my radiator was sitting on the steering box as well. I set a 24" level on my front fenders (Front to back), and raised it till the bubble was centered. I had to add another inch, which got the radiator away from the steering and brake lines, and leveled my fenders as well. There should be a floating threaded insert in the base of your grille. Mine didn't have it, so I welded a steel bushing with a 1/2" tapped hole in it. I also have a 3/4" thich piece of rubber on the underside of the frame member as well. And under that I have a 1/4" thick aluminum washer. Through all of that I have a 1/2" x 3-1/2" long grade 8 flange bolt holding the grill down. When I get a chance I'll take some pics for you.

Here you go