Before replacing the radiator I had no noise from the radiator cooling fan. Now with the new radiator (standard replacement from AR) I notice a scraping noise when it turns on. When I installed the fan on the rad I noticed I had to force the last bolt in to get it to line up. This is probably misshaping the fan and causing the noise.

I'm trying to figure out if I should try to adjust the distance between the radiator's welded nuts or try to adjust the distance on the cooling fan instead? The distances are...

Radiator driver's side welded nut to the passenger side's top welded nut - 22 1/4"
Radiator driver's side welded nut to the passenger side's bottom welded nut - 23"
Radiator cooling fan driver's side hole to the passenger side's top hole - 22 1/2"
Radiator cooling fan driver's side hole to the passenger side's bottom hole - 23"

So I think I have to adjust the cooling fan top hole in by 1/4" to get it to line up. Or does anyone know of a good way to ensure the roundness of the shroud on the radiator cooling fan?

loosen all the bolts and see if it lines up, if not just ream the fan hole a little to fit, also try and place a washer between the fan and the radiator mounting point to effectively space or shim out the fan

first figure out if the blade is hitting the radiator or the shroud.

azruss wrote:first figure out if the blade is hitting the radiator or the shroud.

Yep. Did that. When I spin it by hand there is no contact. It's about 1/8" from the shroud. I think I'll hook it up direct without installing it against the radiator and see if there is a noise. Then I'll ensure the roundness as best I can.

For good measure I sanded the inside to remove some rust (I guess I forgot the do this on my restore!), and painted with rustoleum as well.

divace73 wrote:loosen all the bolts and see if it lines up, if not just ream the fan hole a little to fit, also try and place a washer between the fan and the radiator mounting point to effectively space or shim out the fan

Thanks. I'll try those ideas.

And also is there supported to be thick rubber washers where the mounting bolts go? Either between the car and the rad and/or the rad and the cooling fan.

On my car there are rubber grommets that fit inside the radiator mounting holes. The studs from the front of the car go through the grommet and a nut holds it all firm.

There is no rubber between the fan and the radiator on mine.

Cleaned up the inside of the rad fan shroud, painted it, adjusted the tabs for the mounts on the fan slightly and now it runs great. Went for the 1st relaxing drive last night with my wife. Really nice... and it only took me 2 years!

I am very happy for you