[grobb284]

We have run into a clearance problem with the electric fan and the Chevy water pump in a 32 Ford. We need a bout a 1/2 inch.

It appears the motor mounts were installed too far forward by the previous owner.


It appears that we could press the water pump pulley flange back about 3/8 to 1/2 inch. Does anyone make a shorter length pulley set that would be in correct alignment with the crank pulleys if we do this?

If we did this, we would not have to go through the problem of moving the motor mounts, trans mount, and possibly shortening the drive shaft.

[DoubleVision]

I don`t think there are any shorter lenth pulley`s. If the former owner ran a small block and I`m guessing they did since the mounts were already in place they likely used a short water pump. The short water pump and brackets for the power steering, alternator and crank pulley are shorter so it should give you the clearence you need. You`ll have to find a complete set on a pre 1968 vehicle or you could find a system off a corvette which used the short configuration well into the late 70`s. You may want to look on Ebay.
You should be able to do a web search and find the differences in the short and long water pumps.

[cobalt327]

This doesn't directly address the question about pulleys, but have you tried loosening ALL the mounting points between the engine/tranny and the frame/x-members to see how far back it'll go w/o actually moving the mounts?

A surprising amount of movement can sometimes be seen by doing this.

[grobb284]

Doublevision: Already using the short water pump, insufficient clearance to electric fan.

[grobb284]

Cobalt 327, I hadn't thought of that, excellent suggestion. Will try it.

[pepi]

not thinking you are going to find any fore or aft movement of that motor OR mounts.

Can you change the fan ........ find a thinner one or move it to the front of the radiator .... pusher , reverse the wiring and reverse the rotation ..

You could also move it up or down on the radiator , you will just need a couple of inches to clear the pulley, consider the fact that the pulley is cone shaped and use that to your advantage ..

If running without the hood you might be able to get more clearance by moving the radiator forward ...... but adjust the motor mounts ............. never without some re welding

[DoubleVision]

There`s a possibility you could use the old 4 blade mechanical fans that chevy`s used before they went to clutch fans as you likely don`t have the room to use a clutch unit being it`ll be too close. The old 4 blade mechanical fans used a rather short spacer or if need be you could have a spacer made to suit your needs. I apologize for making my last post on the short water pump system but you did not mention it was what you already had.
You likely don`t want to go with a mechanical fan and I sure wouldn`t, but if it kept me from doing all the work you mentioned I sure would.

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by grobb284

Cobalt 327, I hadn't thought of that, excellent suggestion. Will try it.

If you're as fortunate as I was, I got just more than 3/4" doing this w/a '81 F-body w/a Pontiac 455/TH400 combo.

Another time we did the same to a '72 Monte Carlo and "only" got 0.6".

You will get some, whether it's enough remains to be seen. Because you don't need inches, you have a decent shot at it.

When I mentioned "all" the mounting points- that means, literally ALL of them- engine mounts to block and x-member , trans pad to tranny and x-member, tranny x-member to frame. I'm sure you get the idea.

Good luck.

[curtis73]

Just a thought... go to the junkyard and grab about 20 pulleys that look close. Often times a pulley from a different GM engine (and some of the fords) will be just the right ticket. If you're lucky, your flange is drilled for both the long and short water pump patterns. If not, grab one of those while you're at the bone yard. It will open up more possibilities.

Its a long shot, but I got lucky doing that for a 350 in a boat once. It was an old race boat that used an engine plate between the pump and the block. It used a custom pulley that had bent in transit, so I needed a pulley that sat back about 1/4" further than a stock pulley.

Found it on a chrysler, enlarged the holes, center bore was the same.

[cobalt327]

I stumbled into "underdrive" pulleys for a SBC while at the bone yard. Found them on the "3/4 of a 267 or 305" 200 or 229 V6 Chevy engine used '78-'84.

For that matter, those would be good pulleys to look for in the OP's case, as well. I don't know that they would give any more room, but worth a look.

[CQQL36]

What is the depth (overall thickness) of the electric fan you are using?
Cooling Components Inc. has a really cool shrouded fan with the thickest
point being at the fan motor (2-5/8") with the shroud (which relly helps cooling efficiency) only 1-1/2" thick..
I just put one of these on my 36 Chevy (had really tight space also) and
I am happy with the improved cooling and the minimal space required.
Cost is @ $226.00 ( including shipping) on E-Bay.