Working on my 1985 bone stock (258/T5) CJ8. Replaced the radiator and only have about 3/16 inch between the radiator and fan clutch. My 1983 CJ has about 1/2 inch of clearance between the radiator and fan clutch. Both these distances seem too close. Any other stock CJ8 folks that can chime in? What kind of distances do you have?
Fan to radiator clearance?
- Thread starter Super 8
- Start date
- City
- Ashburn
- State
- VA
I have always had the fan clutch and the radiator. I gained about 1/2” by moving the radiator toward the grill. I slid the radiator mounting flanges INSIDE the radiator. I slid the radiator in through the bottom of the core support/grill. I also had to flip the threaded clips around and screw the bolts in from the front. A little bit of a pain, but doable. Let me know if you want to see pics. I can get some for you.
Before I did this, I had a motor mount go bad and the fan bore a few holes in the radiator. Not fun. I used an electric fan for a while, but hated it and went back to a clutch fan.
Before I did this, I had a motor mount go bad and the fan bore a few holes in the radiator. Not fun. I used an electric fan for a while, but hated it and went back to a clutch fan.
- City
- Dexter
- State
- MI
Another victim of a fan getting into a radiator and I agree that you're too close.
(I did the dual Ford Contour electric fans now and love it, I just want to add a programmable variable frequency controller because they cool TOO well.)
(I did the dual Ford Contour electric fans now and love it, I just want to add a programmable variable frequency controller because they cool TOO well.)
- City
- Ashburn
- State
- VA
I had the contour fans at one point as well. I think I had a poor controller though as I blew 40 amp fuses every couple of months. And when it died, it was off and I over heated. I would rather have my fan on by default. So when I put the 4.0 in, I went back to a clutch fan. I considered removing the clutch to gain more clearance but decided against it. For now.
- City
- Dexter
- State
- MI
Not set up right. That’s the benefit of the two fans. Wire them separately to dedicated relays/fuses off one temp switch signal and you’re redundant. With an AL radiator, one works to keep it from overheating at low speeds/trail and isn’t even needed at speed.
I also have a hard wired bypass in place coiled up to plug in should something go wrong to just run them non-stop.
- City
- Ashburn
- State
- VA
I don’t disagree with you regarding how it was set up. I did it per the instructions. I am not smart enough with wiring to have gone rogue and made it better.
- City
- Ducor
- State
- Ca
I’ve had clearance issues with aftermarket 3 core radiators. I ended up taking the stock OEM 2 core radiator and having it re-built as a 3 core. I made sure that the radiator shop maintained the same position/angle when reinstalling the mounting flanges.
- City
- River Ridge
- State
- La
What I was thinking. Something causing to much flexing.
- City
- Ashburn
- State
- VA
We did a quick test of revving the motor and the engine seemed pretty solid. So it does not appear to be broken motor mounts, but I will investigate more now that it is home