No I'm asking about how close to the water pump are you to the fan but I forget you running an LS and not a 302
For awhile I had only 1/4" clearance between my water pump and Taurus fan motor. Then I slotted the motor mount holes, slid the engine back, and was able to get another 3/8".
I just pulled the stock radiator out of my 1970 Maverick and replaced the water pump w/ a Miladon hi-perf water pump on my 302. I went with the Champion 3 row aluminum radiator from Leadfoot Racing, their fan shroud and their higher volume air flow fan on the back of the radiator and it does pull a lot of air. Their thermostat is designed to come on at 190 degrees and shut off at ~ 170. My installation challenge was that the water pump guide snout was hitting the back of the fan motor. So, I sourced stainless steel (round heads) hex head water pump pulley bolts and then we carefully ground off the end of the water pump snout (poured water on it to keep it cool) and now have adequate clearance. If I ever have to remove the pulley, I will have to remove the fan shroud from the back of the radiator first (4 bolts, so no big deal). I did notice a slight rubbing into the paint under the hood by the economy radiator cap that they sent with the dog ears on both sides. They have a polished aluminum billet aluminum radiator cap that is only 1 5/8" wide and it seems to close without rubbing. My thermostat was seeping down the front of the motor, thus the Ugly surface rust. (Need to figure a good way to get that off, prime and repaint blue). Oil was clean. Any suggestions on a good fitting upper radiator hose? I am not impressed with how thin and easily bent the aluminum fins are. My stock 49 year old radiator is much more durable and still does not leak!
