Looking for an opinion on gaining a little more clearance on the fan blades and the nut on the power steering pump. I had the power steering bracket off while installing a new intake and carb. Once I put it back on and had it lined up right, it seems as though I lost a bit of space, or maybe it was always a little close. Not sure.. My thoughts were, grind all 4 blades down evenly or put a spacer behind the fan. How much clearance would be regarded as safe?
What they said--plus a spacer might actually be better as the fan appears kind of far from the radiator.
A little more space would be ideal but not necessary. As the fan drafts the blades actually flex forward if there is any movement at all. Probably why you haven't had any issues as of yet. The Wizzard
It is about 2" away from the radiator. Maybe a 3/4" spacer is in order. The belt is straight and square. Thanks for the quick responses.
They sell a pack of spacers that have I think one-1/4", one-3/8", and one- 3/8", or something like that. Use one or two or all to get what space you need. I think they are Mr Gasket brand, probably others as well.
The fan blades can be bent a small amount for extra clearance. Yes for larger clearances use spacers. I have adjusted dozens of fans just to make them run true.
From the look of the fan. It looks like someone already ground out the corners of the fan for clearance.
THIS! If it doesn't run hot leave it alone. It looks like you might have to pull the radiator to install a spacer. PITA if it's not running hot.
Run it like it is. Both the fan and the pump are mounted to the engine, so the relationship between the two shouldn't change unless the bearings go bad in the water pump. Or run a one-inch longer belt to tip the pump a bit further away.
If it was me, I'd just tweak the fan blades slightly since, as Pist-n-Broke said, they move away as the RPM increases. That's assuming that you don't have any over heating problem. If it ain't broke don't screw with it.
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