Fan Hits Shroud

Q: Fan Hits Shroud

I just bought a new Radiator and Shroud from Classic Industries for my 1969 350 TH350. The radiator is an exact fit in the car and matches the one I took out. The shroud fits nicely on the radiator but I didn’t have a shroud before so I don’t have one to match up. When I installed them I could see right away that the fan touches the Shroud at the bottom. The Shroud is 21 1/2″ and the fan is 19″ as they should be but I have 0″ clearance on the bottom and 2 1/2″ clearance on the top. Left to right is good.

Any ideas why it doesn’t match up good? Only thing I can think is that the water pump is incorrect and has the mount for the fan too low compared to original……any other ideas?

A: It may be the pulley, possibly your engine is slightly off center?

A: You Probably need new motor mounts. I had the same thing happen on my 1968. The rubber in the mounts gets squished after many years.

A: The following things come to mind:
1) Have the engine mounts ever been replaced?
2) Are the body bushings between the front sub-frame and the body original? If so, do they need to be replaced? If not, are the replacements the same height as the originals?
3) Are the body bushings between the front sub-frame and the core support original? If so, do they need to be replaced? If not, are the replacements the same height as the originals?
4) Same applies to the transmission mount.

Any or all of these could account for the motor sitting 1″ – 2″ lower than it should which would result in what you are seeing. I don’t think the water pump has anything to do with it.

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