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Radiator/fan Clearance

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by BMoney, Mar 1, 2022.

  1. Mar 1, 2022
    BMoney

    BMoney Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    Orange County, CA
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    May 31, 2021
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    So I had to make due with what I had since the actual radiator for my Jeep is out of stock for the foreseeable future. My question is, how much clearance do I need to have between the fan and the radiator? Right now I have probably 1/4” at the bottom where the two holes are (presumably for an additional cooler). Is this enough or should I go with electronic fans mounted to the shroud?



     
  2. Mar 1, 2022
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    Looks like your fan will be eating the lower hose and clamp if you run mechanical without "adjusting" the outlet.
    The other ports could be ground down as needed if you won't use it (put solid plug in first)
     
  3. Mar 1, 2022
    txtoller

    txtoller Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Weatherford, TX
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    I had a similar issue with mine, I chose to run an electric fan. Had no cooling issues.
    [​IMG]

    I ran one fan, as a pusher.
    [​IMG]
     
  4. Mar 2, 2022
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    1/4" is nothing. You have to figure on clearance for worst-case twists and turns, sudden bumps, potholes, and so on.
     
  5. Mar 2, 2022
    BMoney

    BMoney Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    Orange County, CA
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    May 31, 2021
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    For the electric fan did you hook it up to a relay or is it always on when the vehicle is running?
     
  6. Mar 2, 2022
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    Sep 17, 2009
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    In a more or less stock CJ without any frame enhancement and the stock engine mounts, yep, probably a bit too close. I like at least a 1/2" when there is a beefy, close to zero flex frame and next to solid engine mounts. The other factor here is the strength of the fan and if you are going to be submerging any portion of it. That usually results in sucking the fan right into the radiator but a ridgid steel fan will take a lot more of that than a flex blade.

    Clocking the radiator outlet isn't a big deal, especially on aluminum. Any decent machine shop can do that if you don't have access to TIG.
     
  7. Mar 2, 2022
    txtoller

    txtoller Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Weatherford, TX
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    It is on a relay, comes on at 195 or so and shuts off at 165/170. I also, wired it to override to turn on, if the relay ever went bad.
     
  8. Mar 2, 2022
    bluesmokemonster

    bluesmokemonster blue-smokemonster or bluesmoke-monster?

    Gold Beach, OR
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    x2, I did the same for my Triumph

    Regardless, fan power should come through a relay because of high amp draw.
     
  9. Mar 2, 2022
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    That 1/4” is too close. Can you remove the plug and grind down the trans cooler fitting for more clearance? Your not going to use them.
    There are two reasons you don’t have enough clearance. First, the engine is in somewhat flexible mounts that allow it to move around, especially on hard braking and high torque situations. The radiator grill is also sitting on a big rubber mount, so it can move around a bit too. Second, some fans can flex quite a bit with high rpm, I’ve seen some (Flex-a-Lite) move more than 1/2” forward.
    You need more room.
    -Donny
     
  10. Mar 3, 2022
    CJ51973

    CJ51973 Member

    Versailles, KY
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2009
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    192
    A continuous duty relay. It will look like a Ford starter relay. My trail rig electric fan ate the temperature controller/relay that came with it. I have a dash switch for turning the relay off and on for water crossing or cold mornings. Otherwise it runs.
     
    txtoller likes this.
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