still in the (nerve wracking) mockup phase for engine placement... looks like it will be tight, front to back. motor is from a '95 F150 — i assume i could find an assembly with either a shorter 'stem' (for lack of better description)... or, can i ditch the fan clutch and just find an old SBF fan?

here's what i'm working with:



suppose another option would be to go electric snug up against the radiator? my wallet would prefer the less spendy option, which i assume is just a different fan to bolt up.

insight/recommendations appreciated. thanks!

 

You can make that fit with some finesse! Go through this build, I used the same front drive set up. Well mine was off a 5.0 but same as far as I know and it's on a 351W as well. I love the big clutch fan mines a 9 blade and runs cool as can be in 100*+ weather in traffic.





https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...ion-build.html

Kevin LFD

 

Hey Goldco,
Hmmm... A very familiar dilemma. We have a 351W in our '50 F1.
We initially went with a Derale electric fan as it was nice & thin - around 3 inches but it
just didn't pull enough air to keep our's cool. It generated 1800/2400 cfm on hi/lo speed -
not enough for our 400hp 351W.

We next put a Mark VIII fan in our truck - an 18 inch fan from a V8 Thunderbird - generates 3200/4000 cfm...
A lot of people pull the Mark VIII fans from salvage yards - Taurus v8's, Tbirds, etc. all used them. I bought
our set up off Ebay for around $120 - Tbird fan, BMW 2 speed sensor, hi capacity Volvo Relay. Works great just
make sure you are running a nice alternator. The challenge with this set up is it's 5 inches deep - we made a lot of
adjustments to the plastic mounting box to get it to fit - tight.

If I were at the build stage I'd highly recommend a Shorty Hi Flow water pump with a matching pulley set. That will
give you lot's of space to use whatever fan set up you want.

Good luck over there. I spent some time solving this challenge in our truck - it's Texas - you need the truck to stay cool.

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

anybody use those nylon flex fans?
electric fan setup would be nice, but spendy...

speedway has an 18"er for $27.

 

I'm using the same clutch fan on my 351, mine isn't the serpentine set up and not sure if that would make a difference.

 

are you using the "forward" holes then for the radiator saddle and then also the inner fender?

i wasn't aware of this option prior, but someone on FB said everything can move forward to give more clearance w/o screwing up body alignment.

 

thanks, ben. low budget build here and water pump already in place...

i think i have it narrowed down to either moving the radiator forward to give more clearance (though i still think it will be tight), or getting a mechanical non-clutch fan like that nylon one. (apparently steel fans start to drag the motor at higher RPMs?)

i suppose a shroud is necessary either way?

 

If that is directed at me all my sheet metal is bolted as it was from the factory, this is a 56 I'm working on. I guess I should have mentioned that, sorry for the confusion..

 

I installed the rad support in the forward position (1949 f1). I bought and installed the FlexLite model Black Magic electric fan. It pulls 3300 cfm and was recommended for the 351. It fit perfectly on my new radiator with out any problems. The rad is the same one made for the 1980 model f150. I have lots of clearance from the front pulley to the fan. The fan is a bit pricey but for the easy installation I think it makes up for the

time and head ache of other methods.

 

Do the 53-56's also have the 2 rad positions ? I thought it was the f1 series only . I too am going to be dealing with this .