[Guest]

Well, I changed both motor mounts and both tranny mounts. I also went with a smaller fan and even chained the motor to the frame. I went out once today and the second time I went out, the fan went thru the bottom right side of the radiator. What gives here? Apparently the radiator does. I am at a loss as to why it keeps doing this. I guess I am going to have to go with electric fans and not with the engine driven one. Anyone know why it would do this? Thanks

 

[harvester]

is the radiator moving?

 

[Chump]

How much clearence do you have between the front edge of the fan blade and the radiator core?

 

[macario]

Are you using a clutch fan or a flex fan?

Mac

 

[Guest]

The first time it happened I was using a stock fan and clutch setup and this time I was using a flex fan. The radiator isn't moving at all. I have at least 1 1/2" and 2" between the fan and radiator. I will make sure tomorrow. I am at a loss here. My only guess would be that I broke a motor mount again and there is too much slack in the chains that I put on. I will check that tomorrow. I couldn't do it tonight because it was dark out when I got back. I will put some pics up tomorrow. I don't think that I will be able to get the rad repaired this time. We will see though.

 

[macario]

I would check then tighten ALL of the front end bolts related to your radiator and its supporting structure, and that is taking into account that you have replaced motor and tranny mounts. Are your motor mount brackets tight also? When you rev the engine with the tranny in park do you see if the fan gets closer to the radiator? Have someone rev it for you while you watch the fan blades. If you can't see them well, turn off the engine and mark the tips of the blades with white grease chalk or some similar marker and try revving again.

Mac

 

[Guest]

Have you checked all your body mounts? It's possible there is enough flex between body and frame to close the gap between the radiator and fan.

 

[Guest]

Well, I got it out today. There are about 4 holes along the bottom of the radiator. I'm not sure if it can be fixed or not. It only took 1 fan blade to catch and tear it up. I think the left motor mount is broken again. You can see pics here http://community.webshots.com/user/herc463 as I am not sure if I can remote link them or not.

 

[phoenix827]

Not trying to be a jerk here, (I am hoping you took the pics AFTER you started taking the rad out) BUT, there are no bolts on the right side bracket?

 

[phoenix827]

can you move the body @ all? I see you have a 3" body lift, could you have a broken mount?

 

[Guest]

Yeah, I had started to remove the rad and realized that I needed to take some pics to post here. I thought about the body mount thing and I have retorqued all of the body mount bolts and checked to see if any of them were cracked. I am going to check the motor mounts tomorrow and see if one of them are bad.

 

[Chump]

Which rubber mount are you using? You might try this...block all 4 wheels and set the emergency brake...have someone else hold their foot on the brake pedal and place the truck in gear and very carefully accelerate the engine while you watch the motor and mounts flex. BE CAREFUL. Also doe this problem seem to occur right after you have made a stop? Maybe some body/frame shift somewhare?

 

[Guest]

Chump, I am using the bottom ones. The first time it went into the radiator I had just come off of some dirt onto the road and the last time I was actually wheeling when I heard the fan hit. I am beginning to think it is a combination of the frame/body flexing and the motor twisting at the same time. Enough to make contact at least. So what will the solution to keep this from happening again? I am thinking electric fans and maybe mounting the radiator a couple inches forward?

 

[macario]

If your frame is flexing that much then you have a significant problem somewhere that needs to be taken care of, and the fan hitting the radiator is just a symptom.

If you use a shroud around your fan, you could get a shorter adapter for your flex fan as long as the fan is not out of the shroud too much.

Electric fans might be your best short term solution.

Mac

 

[Chump]

Hmmm...check the L/H mount again and see if it's broken. Thats a start.
Just curious...did this problem just start happening after you made a change to the RC like changint the motor, body lift, etc. you could also try a shorter(-1/2") fan spacer as long as you keep most of the fan blade inside the shroud opening. Has there been any damage to the inside of the fan shroud?

 

[jto]

Is the fan rotating the correct way? Could it flex at high RPMs and extend itself into the radiator?
I know I've changed my clutch many times and if I remember I had to double check to make sure I put it in the correct way. I think the fan is four bolts and will allow you to put it in backwards.

I can't tell from the pics if it is a mirror image, I don't think digital cameras reverse images. I could be wrong.

just one of those simple things that get overlooked, I do them all the time

 

[Smokey]

How come that one fan blade in the photo is BENT FORWARD ?

And, I too would use a shorter spacer on the fan, get it back closer to the pulleys...

 

[phoenix827]

I was wondering the same thing Smokey. It not just the tip thats bent, you can se the arm it's attached to has a nice tweak to it too.

 

[RAMROD4X4]

Hey guy your fan blade does look bent. I would definately go with an electric fan or if you insist i can sell you a used clutch fan. I just did a motor swap from a donor vehicle so i have an extra one!!

Rod

 

[MudFlap]

How's your water pump? Water pumps have a way of ruining your day. I had a water pump go bad once and it sent a fan blade thru the shroud where it proceeded to hit the hood and leave a nice crease about 4" long, and sent another blade thru the radiator.