I had to replace the water pump in my 69 last year, the fan before I did the work was way out of the shroud. So I did the mod on the back plate to pump distance. I used a 2 in. spacer to move the fan into the shroud, now the car runs way cool just sitting in traffic. Will have to check to see if anything is going on with that big a a spacer on the pump.
Coilster, do you have a clutch or flex fan? I assume clutch since you referenced checking things out.
