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chevynut
11-30-2016, 10:58 AM
Guys I'm working on the "Hemi55" that's no longer going to have a Hemi but a 440 in it. I'm repositioning the engine further forward to build new engine mounts so I put the radiator support in place and tilted it back 4 degrees. I'm trying to get the engine as far forward as possible in front per the customer's request.

The stock radiator support has a flange on the front of it (V8 version) and I was wondering if that needed to be removed or if the radiator is supposed to sit in front of it. I have the Spal fan shroud set flush with the front of the flange but I'm not sure that's where it's supposed to be, or if the flange needs to be removed to install the radiator, like say a PRC or similar.

Can anyone help?

Custer55
11-30-2016, 12:19 PM
Do you have a picture of it?

chevynut
11-30-2016, 12:33 PM
This is the best I can do without going out and taking another one. See the flange on the front of the radiator support? I put the front of the SPAL fan shroud flush with that.

6614

Custer55
11-30-2016, 12:51 PM
Are you using a stock style radiator? In front or behind the core support? Not sure what your trying to do here. That small flange on the front is probably just to add strength and stiffness to the core support. It could be cut off if it's in the way.

chevynut
11-30-2016, 02:06 PM
Custer55, PRC makes a "standard" crossflow radiator for tri5s and it uses a Dual 11" SPAL fan setup behind it. I'm just trying to verify where the fan sits in the support, fore and aft, with that radiator setup. I'm thinking the radiator sits in front of that flange, and the fan shroud is even with the flange but want to verify before I finalize the engine location.

Custer55
11-30-2016, 02:15 PM
Sorry, I can't help you with that.

55 Rescue Dog
11-30-2016, 02:29 PM
Moving the engine back would be the right thing to try and do before it's too late. That motor needs to be in the rear of the car, like the "Hemi under glass" car.

Rick_L
11-30-2016, 03:25 PM
You worry too much.

Put the radiator up against the support, and put the fan setup inside the support. It can be right up against the radiator if you want.

When I say "against" - don't let the fins rub on anything, keep them far enough away that they don't touch.

I don't know what's going to be used for a hood latch. On a 55 with a typical aluminum radiator (PRC) mounted in front of the support, and an a/c condenser in front of it, and a stock hood latch plate, everything nearly touches. You need to add the condenser (if used) and the grille/hood latch into the mockup, or it may have to be re-done. Sometimes it's just a cut on the latch plate, sometimes you'll have to mount everything tighter.

A 55 has significant less front overhang than a 56 or 57.

chevynut
11-30-2016, 07:47 PM
You worry too much.

Put the radiator up against the support, and put the fan setup inside the support. It can be right up against the radiator if you want.

When I say "against" - don't let the fins rub on anything, keep them far enough away that they don't touch.

It's not "worrying" it's making sure I have room for the engine. This is the third time the engine mounts are being changed. The first time was when I built them for the Hemi, the second when the other guys cut mine out and put in some shitty-looking cobbled together mounts for the 440 that sat it way too high and too far back for the owner's liking. He's running a dual quad tall manifold and needs all the overhead room he can get....so he says.

The owner wants the engine as far forward as I can put it, and if I don't allow enough room and the SPAL fans end up further back, I could have a problem. I think I have the support in the right place. I have a 1/2" space between the front of the electric water pump and the fan shroud now and I'm hesitant to go any closer even if only for looks. If the flange on the front of the radiator support has to be removed to install the radiator, it will reduce that clearance by about half. Depending on exactly where the body, fenders and radiator support sit it could reduce it further. I just want to make sure I know where the fans go in the support for my mockup and I knew they could go up against the radiator.

So my original question still didn't get answered:

"The stock radiator support has a flange on the front of it (V8 version) and I was wondering if that needed to be removed or if the radiator is supposed to sit in front of it. I have the Spal fan shroud set flush with the front of the flange but I'm not sure that's where it's supposed to be, or if the flange needs to be removed to install the radiator, like say a PRC or similar. "

I'm not doing anything in front of the support so whatever the shop that finishes the car does is their problem. I don't think he's installing air, but I'm not sure.

Rick_L
12-01-2016, 05:38 AM
Go back to my reply and read the bit at the end about clearance to the hood latch. Basically you have to fit the radiator and a/c condenser between the radiator support and the hood latch plate (or whatever replaces it). So it's just a clearance stack issue.

I didn't have to remove the lip on mine. PRC radiator and PRC a/c condenser. I also have an aftermarket hood latch which is maybe 1/8" smaller than the stock one. There is between 1/8" and 1/4" clearance. This is something you need to mock up, or it may have to be re-done.

JT56
12-01-2016, 06:03 AM
So will the core support be used in the factory location? Concern would be the hood brace on the hood. Cnut I would think that lip could be cut off to keep from having a space between the radiator and core support.

chevynut
12-01-2016, 07:09 AM
Cnut I would think that lip could be cut off to keep from having a space between the radiator and core support.

JT, that was my original question. ;) I guess if the support lip was cut off the shroud could also be trimmed a little to leave the fans in the same place relative to the water pump.

Like I said, the rest of the car assembly will be done by someone else so I don't need to worry about any stackup forward of the radiator support or hood braces. I know there's a solution and that a PRC setup fits so I'm not leaving him with a mess to deal with.

Thanks for the input.