I am helping a friend get his 69 BB camaro back together. I have a question. It appears that the fan clutch is way too close to the radiator. I think the car has a 4 core radiator and that looks like the problem. Has anyone else expericenced this issue? Can anyone help with how close thier fan clutch is to the radiator or any fixes they have found? I really want to hear this thing run. Please help me help my friend do it right. Thanks

Hi, I just did this for my car 1969 , original stlye Big Block 4-core radiator and 772 Fan with clutch fan, it will be about a 1/4 inch from the radiator, it will be a very close fit.

Jeff G.
69 Vert.

That is where this is or maybe even closer. This is normal??

Yes, I belive so, you need the fan close to the radiator as possible, you must put the
fan belts on 1st and then the fan. This was my 1st original build with a 772 fan, so hopefully others will chime in here.

Jeff G.

You say you are helping get it back together.....was the subframe removed? My car, that has the subframe in the correct position and has the correct motor mounts and stands, has approx 1" between the radiator (4 core) and the edge of the fan clutch. If the subframe isn't set right (too far forward in this case) you might have the problem you are having. Just a thought and something to check.

I also have BB with 1/4 inch clearance and have all new body mounts dead on with all frame mounts and motor/trany mounts... I was able to still get the belt on with sliding it threw th clutch fan fins and turning it at the same time.

OK, I'll chime in here too. Mine is an original BB car with the original motor mounts GM radiator support, original sub frame, etc. 4 Core curved neck radiator with the clutch fan and big block fan shroud. My fan is real close to the radiator, but I can get the fan belt on and off without an issue. I would say that I have about the width of my open hand worth of space between the fan and the radiator.

Rob can you compare these dimension's to yours ?http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/markx22/th_CopyofDSC00761.jpg (http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/markx22/?action=view&current=CopyofDSC00761.jpg)

I don't know much about big blocks, but I have a 68 Z28 and have the original fan and clutch set up. I have been told on many threads here and on CRG that the fan should sit in the shroud half way. Half of the fan in the shroud and half sitting out. Mine does exactly this and the clutch itself is about 4-5 inches away from the radiator. But again, I don't know if the BB are different.