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Discussion Topic:
Fan to Radiator Clearance Concerns
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BIRUDY |
11-29-2024 @ 7:07 AM
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Member
Posts: 37
Joined: Jun 2022
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Engine swap has been completed in my 35 Coupe. Installed a 1937 21 stud to replace original early 35 21 stud. Generator mounted cooling fan is giving me concerns.. A little background : the fan from the 35 engine provided clearance from rad but not the distributor. tried a fan from 60hp flathead.. has a longer neck ..still no clearance to distributor. Had a spacer machined to use the original 35 fan... The spacer and 35 fan is installed and does provide clearance in both areas of concern.. BUT the clearance is minimal. Have about 1/8" clearance from the distributor.... Have about 1/4" clearance from the radiator.... I have tired fan belts of various lengths to raise generator to enhance the clearance .. Because the radiator is slightly canted back at the top.. as the generator is raised to tighten fan belt the closer the fan gets to the rad.. I have elected to stay with the shortest belt to achieve the best compromise. Looking for reassurances that amount of clearance I have achieved and mentioned above are workable. (Let me know if I am being too brave ... have not started the engine yet) I have thought about looking and addressing the issues with the original engine and swapping it back.. Considering the costs of flathead fixes/rebuilding.. don't want to bury myself financially...engine has sat for at least 30 years I have taken the 35 engine apart to inspect .. has babbit mains and inserts in the connecting rods.. cast iron heads in good shape.. #4 piston was tight to move due to a little ridging on top of cylinder .. minor corrosion on associated valves.. all components move.. some valve stems a little tight in the guides.. has adjustable tappets.. and tappet gallery has been drilled to assist in holding tappets during the adjustment exercise. Tappets are odd to me as they don't have the oval cut outs in their side surface to accommodate the easier adjustment.. they have a horizontal groove around the whole tappet. Visual inspection of engine block doesn't appear to have any cracks.. ( save the little ones you see that you find between center studs and water jacket holes) Will upload some pictures of the fan clearances.. Appreciate any advice or comments, thanks Rudy
This message was edited by BIRUDY on 11-29-24 @ 7:31 AM
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kubes40 |
11-29-2024 @ 9:26 AM
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Senior
Posts: 3444
Joined: Oct 2009
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Rudy, this is an easy swap. Methinks you should install the '35 distributor and coil. From your photo, it appears there is plenty of clearance between the fan and distributor. The clearance to the coil is tight.
Mike "Kube" Kubarth
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zeke3 |
11-29-2024 @ 11:30 AM
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Member
Posts: 85
Joined: Apr 2011
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Not related to your clearance questions, I recommend that you pull the rubber sleeves on the spark plug wires up so that they fit into the metal conduit for the spark plug wires. This should seal the joints so no water can get in there and fill up the distributor caps.
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BIRUDY |
11-29-2024 @ 11:41 AM
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Member
Posts: 37
Joined: Jun 2022
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Yes will do.. appreciate the advice and reason.
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37RAGTOPMAN |
11-29-2024 @ 3:40 PM
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Senior
Posts: 1977
Joined: Oct 2009
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HI Rudy was wondering how the rear trans engine mounts are, ? looks like the engine is tilted on a angle what I did was use a adapter to use a modern coil and a flat plate on the distributer they sell these for about $40.00 if the back of the engine was raised it better for clearance I did this exact same thing in the 1980s with no problems. for a customer, hope this helps 37RAGTOPMAN,MAINE
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BIRUDY |
11-29-2024 @ 5:54 PM
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Member
Posts: 37
Joined: Jun 2022
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will check that possibility out.. did install new engine mounts as well as new transmission mount as original was in poor shape.. Will ensure that that engine is not sitting askew because of that consideration.
This message was edited by BIRUDY on 11-29-24 @ 5:57 PM
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ford38v8 |
11-29-2024 @ 7:21 PM
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Senior
Posts: 2808
Joined: Oct 2009
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Use your 35 bolt-ons. Fan & generator mount on the intake manifold are different.
Alan
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BIRUDY |
11-30-2024 @ 10:03 AM
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Member
Posts: 37
Joined: Jun 2022
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Thankyou Alan, looked at the 35 intake and can see the difference.. should solve my problem.
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