Radiator Fan Clearance Issue

[Tuftster]

I know many use the Breeze fan shroud (I've ordered one now) or have built their own but for those who have mounted the fan per the manual, directly to the radiator, has anyone come across this?

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I mounted the fan per the instructions and checked for interference by spinning the fan with the power off, no issues. I ran the engine and did a short go-kart a while back, again with no issues and did not have any leaks. Then I finally got the car out for a shakedown prior to my CHP inspection and about a half mile in got a nice spray of coolant coating my windshield. Upon disassembly I found the fan retaining clip hat cut through three of the tubes and caused multiple holes.

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I was able to find a shop not too far from me willing to weld it but $125 later this is what I'm left with:

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Not only is it ugly but there are multiple spots that were cut, not welded and remain very thin, one has already started weeping slightly. Apparently the radiator is out of stock right now and factory five is saying I can't get a replacement until November at the earliest. Three years building and right in the middle of trying to get it registered and now I can't run it. Very disappointing to say the least.

For those who have mounted the fan per the instructions, may be worth double checking or has anyone ever seen this before?

[Dave Tabor]

The exact same thing happened to me after ~6 months on the road. Caught it while it was just a bit of steam escaping.

Bought a new radiator from FFR and the Breeze shroud.

Got a rock hole in that one early this year and then FFR was out of stock.

I've since gone to this after much online searching for a readily available OEM replacement:

https://www.radiatorexpress.com/product/all/ford/1965/thunderbird/base/64l-v8/221913/1333505

Disposable at that price. Arrives in a couple of days. Fits, uses the usual top strap (it's a no-filler radiator), but you need to come up with new hose routings as the diameters are different.

I'm also running one of these:
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Nomex-Honeycomb-Radiator-Guard-Protector-Screen-Mesh-19-x-26,3545.html

I notice no difference in cooling ability compared to the FFR radiator even on hot track days.

Dave
Gen III Coupe #17
5000+ miles

[P100DHG]

I used the breeze shroud so I guess I just saved myself a lot of pain. But this makes me want to revisit the way I mounted my condenser for the AC and make sure nothing will rub on the radiator while driving.

[Tuftster]

Thanks Dave. Do you happen to have any pictures of the OEM radiator installed and how you installed the nomex guard?

[Dave Tabor]

Here you go with pics.

The radiator shield is held on with a Derale 13001 Plastic Rod Mounting Kit (~$10).

What I did NOT do was to record which exact hose part numbers that I used- I was so pressed for time (had a track day paid for) that I bought bunch of hoses and used what fit. Some sourced from Summit and some from Amazon. One of these days I'll have to figure it out all over again.

The radiator that I linked- the lower output is straight out but higher than the FFR one (which has it's own fitment issues). It has a built in trans-cooler but I plugged the fittings with NPT plugs just for looks.

I forgot to say that this is my second 1965 Thunderbird radiator- got a rock in one of those as well as one from FFR. So, it's been FFR-fan, FFR-rock, T-bird-rock, now T-bird radiator. So I'm into radiators over $1k, lol. But now I can change one out in about 2 hours for sub-$250.

I'd say do it and don't look back. If your nose is off it's easy.

I'm happy to help you through it or if you want to look at mine- I'm in San Mateo.

Dave
Gen III #17

[Tuftster]

Thanks Dave, really appreciate the photos and I hope I have better luck with my second radiator than you:). I might have to get some of that nomex.