BigFlo
Well-Known Member
I've read (after the fact) that our early 60's B-Bodies engine bays are challenged for room with Big blocks......and I'm believing it.
I posted this in the Engine forum but didn't get any replies, so I figured I would post here with a better title.
Ran into a problem test fitting my Griffin radiator- it hits the fan, ugh.
Project summary:
65 Belvdere sedan. Original /6 with 3 spd manual, converting to 383 with 4 spd.
383 motor is 1968 date code
Am using a ‘63-65 big block Kframe.
Standard OEM water pump housing.
Flowkooler Mopar water pump.
I have manual steering.
My plan is to add aftermarket AC.
I purchased the Bouchillon brackets for alternator, AC compressor and idler pully. That setup requires a 4-groove crack pulley. The two inside grooves are for the alternator. The third groove is open (I think that is where the power steering belt would go if I had it). And the outermost groove is for the AC belt.
I picked up a Mopar race fan because I can't fit the standard or the Hayden clutch fan.
Here are the measurements I get:
5 1/2" from the water pump pulley surface to the radiator core support.
With a 1" fan spacer I get:
3 1/8" from the leading fan tip to the rad core support
1/2" from the trailing fan edge to the crank pulley
Based on what I've read, we want 1" clearance from leading edge of fan to radiator and 1/4" min clearance from the trailing edge of fan to the belts/pulleys
For radiator space, I have 3 1/8" available, minus 1" for clearance, which leaves 2 1/8" for radiator thickness. Not sure that exists but I haven't found one. I called ECP and their radiator is 3 1/8" thick at the tanks and 2 5/8" at the core.
If I used a 3/4" fan spacer, instead of 1", I could pick up 1/4" at the front- so that gets me to 2 3/8" clearance for the radiator and 1/4" clearance at the trailing fan edge.
What are folks using for '63-65's with 383 and AC? Do I need to rethink this whole front accessory set-up?
Any help is appreciated!
I posted this in the Engine forum but didn't get any replies, so I figured I would post here with a better title.
Ran into a problem test fitting my Griffin radiator- it hits the fan, ugh.
Project summary:
65 Belvdere sedan. Original /6 with 3 spd manual, converting to 383 with 4 spd.
383 motor is 1968 date code
Am using a ‘63-65 big block Kframe.
Standard OEM water pump housing.
Flowkooler Mopar water pump.
I have manual steering.
My plan is to add aftermarket AC.
I purchased the Bouchillon brackets for alternator, AC compressor and idler pully. That setup requires a 4-groove crack pulley. The two inside grooves are for the alternator. The third groove is open (I think that is where the power steering belt would go if I had it). And the outermost groove is for the AC belt.
I picked up a Mopar race fan because I can't fit the standard or the Hayden clutch fan.
Here are the measurements I get:
5 1/2" from the water pump pulley surface to the radiator core support.
With a 1" fan spacer I get:
3 1/8" from the leading fan tip to the rad core support
1/2" from the trailing fan edge to the crank pulley
Based on what I've read, we want 1" clearance from leading edge of fan to radiator and 1/4" min clearance from the trailing edge of fan to the belts/pulleys
For radiator space, I have 3 1/8" available, minus 1" for clearance, which leaves 2 1/8" for radiator thickness. Not sure that exists but I haven't found one. I called ECP and their radiator is 3 1/8" thick at the tanks and 2 5/8" at the core.
If I used a 3/4" fan spacer, instead of 1", I could pick up 1/4" at the front- so that gets me to 2 3/8" clearance for the radiator and 1/4" clearance at the trailing fan edge.
What are folks using for '63-65's with 383 and AC? Do I need to rethink this whole front accessory set-up?
Any help is appreciated!