Had the engine running today, bleeding brakes and steering. Revved the engine a little.

Apparently my radiator fan was positioned too close to the radiator. Am hoping it can be salvaged by blocking off a couple of the cores that got damaged.

Annoying at this stage though, as I’ll have to go back and re-modify. May not be so bad, as I think somehow it was just the top of the rad that got pushed towards the fan, causing this issue, the bottom has more clearance then the top. May have a little room to move the cab and rad support forward, then just fix the angle of the rad to bring the top away

 

On Project Covid, which was not as in depth as this, but it was a cab off frame, 2wd to 4x4 , auto to manual swap on a '92 club cab 250. As I was putting it back together I saw the clutch fan was very close on the lower 1/4 of the radiator, yet had plenty of clearance up top,
I added a thick washer under the transmission mounts, changing the angle of the front of the motor as it pivoted on the engine mounts, just enough.

Maybe you could do the reverse?

 

Only issue is that brings the top of the fan too close to the shroud. The third gen shroud only has a 1/4” clearance around the fan to the shroud.

 

I feel your pain. It took a lot of messing around to get the second gen cooler set in my Road Tractor using an early 80s core support.. it looks like your work is top notch, and usable, keep up the good work man!

 

Appreciate it the uplifting words!

I think I can fix the problem easily enough.

Just figuring out if I can fix the radiator. 1000 dollar radiator that was modified, so essentially a 2000 dollar mistake

 

Maybe I was not clear enough. Raising the transmission mount with bring the top of the fan and radiator closer together...BUT LOWERING the transmission mount will pull the top of the fan further away from the top edge of the radiator. Which I think is what you want.
This might be as easy as removing a thick washer, trimming down the rubber/poly transmission mount, or even shimming down the transmission crossmember itself.

This may or may not be an easy tweak for you to do, but I figured it was worth mentioning.

Sorry to see the damaged to the radiator, but on these big project there are always a few moments where you take a step or two backwards. The goal is to not let it discourage you and let the project sit.

 

Yep, I understood what you said. In my mind, being that the engine mounts would be the pivot point in this situation, lowering or lifting the transmission will do what you say, and I see your sense, however it will also raise or lower the fan some as well, like a teeter tooter. The shroud around the circumference of the fan has a very small 1/4” gap, if I pivot the engine to change the angle of the fan, it will also move the fan up a bit, which won’t work.

Had a better look at things, and found an easy way to remedy. When I designed it I made a large enough gap, but somewhere along the lines when finishing the front rad support, the upper removable section started pushing the top of the rad towards the engine. Just need to modify the top removable section, to come out a touch.

Got the rad out today, will bring it down to a shop and see if it can be salvaged. Not too optimistic, but maybe someone can work some magic.

 

Fair enough. Just throwing out ideas that have worked for me when fine tuning figment issues on builds

I am sure you will come up with a solution that works great.

 

Really do appreciate your insights and ideas, one of the reasons I love this forum. Thanks Oliver!

 

Good news, rad shop was able to fix the rad. They had to cut one tube out and seal, and the other two were able to be patched. Found a cheap used fan too. All in all, could have been worse.

 

Glad they were able to save it for you, she looked pretty roughed up.

 

Everything is back together, have 1 1/4” of clearance, wouldn’t mind a bit more but think it will suffice.

Ended up using your tip Oliver, since my new modifications moved the fan upwards, as well as spaced out from the rad more at the top then the bottom. Little 1/4” lift at the transfer case made the difference.

Got the stacks started, will finish tomorrow and move the truck out under its own power, so I can give it a little stationary break in.

Decided not to paint this year, will wait until warm weather and do it outside. So will probably work on the side steps/battery box then tuck it under a tarp outside until spring.

Time for some father son projects.

 

Glad to hear they could save the radiator for you.

I have used shimming the transmission mount up or down the thickness of a washer to get the best fit and finish on the last two frame off builds I have done. It really seems to help get the best spacing / clearance on the fan should and radiator.

It has snowed everyday up here for over a week straight. My painting days look like they are over for the year too. Much more enjoyable job to do outside, I find.

May I ask what the father son project is?

 

Sure is, was not looking forwards to putting up plastic to cover everything from overspray, or painting in such a tight space. Would probably have ended up doing a job I was not happy with, so for the best.

Son (11) and I, will be building a go cart. My dad did it with me when I was a young boy, and it was a huge influence in my abilities, and relationship with my dad. My boy is craving some competence, and time away from his two sisters (we home school, so he sees a lot of them ) so figure it will be a good project. Will be good for him to be able to have something fun that he helped build too.