I'm putting a thermalstatic clutch fan on my 67 small block with short water pump and shroud. I'm wondering how long should the spacer be. I already have a 2" spacer but when I put the clutch on it doesn't seem to go far enough in the shroud. The fan itself doesn't sit in the shroud. I'd also like to know if anyone has used an Imperial brand clutch. I'd like to know if they're any good. Thanks

Actually, the fan is not supposed to be completely inside the shroud. With a stock shroud and thermostatic clutch the fan blades on mine are half-in / half-out of the shroud which is where it is supposed to be.

You could add a 2" spacer to move the fan further inside the shroud but it made no difference in cooling when I tried it. You also want to make sure that the fan doesn't get too close to the radiator; if it does and your fan ever wobbles or anything there goes your radiator.

I'm using a Hayden clutch and GM replacement 7-blade fan on a short pump '68. No problems.

Unless I missunderstood I read in one of the forums that the fan should be halfway in the shroud.. So you guys don't have spacers, the clutch is just bolted on the pulley? Here's a pic of my distance to radiator. I took the shroud off for viewing. Thanks

http://images.cardomain.com/member_img_a/214000-214999/214503_82_full.jpg

You want the fan half in and half out of the shroud. Whatever spacer you need to accomplish that is what you should use. Put it together and get a tape measure to figure how much of a spacer you need. There are so many variables (big block or small block shroud, which radiator, which frame and engine mounts etc...). I don't think you can say for sure from one car to the next. the only way to get it right for sure is to measure.

No spacers on mine. The distance from the fan mounting seat (where your finger is in the above photo) to the back of the radiator is 6 1/4"

The distance from the back of the radiator to the back edge of the fan shroud is also 6 1/4". The fan blade is twisted such that 1/2 the blade is in, the other 1/2 out.

Thanks guys! graemlins/thumbsup.gif

[ 08-31-2003, 08:35 AM: Message edited by: RamJam ]