Radiator to preserve mechanical fan?

[5mall5nail5]

Guys - been reading but a little confused. What radiator combo can I use to preserve the M50 mechanical fan? I have, right now, an extra M50 E34 525 radiator which is nice because it has the end tank with the res built in. Not sure it'd work though. Car needs to retain AC.

Thanks!

[sharky]

why? just throw it in the trash and get a fan delete kit and a good radiator.

[MattM]

the late style E30 Rad works fine with the mechanical fan, but you have very little clearance between the rad and the fan(about 1 inch) and i would recommend using metal cups on your transmission mounts to avoid sending the engine through the rad the first time you hit the brakes....

Im running the mechanical fan and late rad right now.. I want to get an electric at some point, just waiting for a good deal to come up.

[5mall5nail5]

Hrm - the early style radiator won't work? I have an '87 325E. I could use an electric fan - just trying to keep costs down.

[JGood]

The e34 m50 rad is way too wide. If you like the design, you can use an m42 radiator. It is identical, but is narrower. You can get them on ebay for $130 brand new. This is what I'm using in my 85.

You can't use early model radiators as they have the hose fittings at the opposite points of where they need to be.

I'm using the generic $60 pep boys 12" or 14" electric fan. Keeps temp dead steady at the half way mark.

[mentaleeill]

use a m42 radiator and the m20 fan clutch and fan.

[graphikg]

I am using the 88 radiator with my 88 aux fan. I am thinking of upgrading the fan to a mushimoto. what do you all think? Seems like a deal. http://www.statracing.com/buy/mishim...diator-fan.asp

[Good & Tight]

You will have to notch the frame out about 4" on the drivers side to make the E34 radiator fit.

[5mall5nail5]

use a m42 radiator and the m20 fan clutch and fan.

Awesome bobby thx bro

[bmws50b30]

the late style E30 Rad works fine with the mechanical fan, but you have very little clearance between the rad and the fan(about 1 inch) and i would recommend using metal cups on your transmission mounts to avoid sending the engine through the rad the first time you hit the brakes....

Im running the mechanical fan and late rad right now.. I want to get an electric at some point, just waiting for a good deal to come up.

the clearance is very little about 1/4 of an inch and after 3 yrs so far no problems even with autoxing. i'll switch to electric soon though. where can you get this metal cups? are you running e21 tranny bushing?

[MattM]

My fan has about an inch, hasnt been driven yet though...


akg has the cups for sale... i was planning to just make some..

yes im using stock E30 support arm with E21 mounts, ZF320 tranny.

http://www.akgmotorsport.com/e30products.html
(bottom of transmision section)

[rThor432]

use a m42 radiator and the m20 fan clutch and fan.

Are you running this setup? I'd like to see pictures if anyone has this and there is clearance. I've tried several fan/clutch combos and they either hit the expansion tank or vanos pressure feed unit (the nub that sticks out anyway).

[mentaleeill]

never ran it, just fit it. i opted for an electric puller to keep the engine bay cleaner.

[lennon]

theres tons of radiators that will fit and allow room for fan on motor or whatever else you want room for. just remove the condenser and fit a nice one up in there. if youre keeping the radiator where it is, i dont see why youd wanna keep the mech. fan even if possible its gonna be really tight and in the way.

[MattM]

i just ordered an electric fan on ebay, and the metal cups from AKG... AKG had a tracking number for me within 2 hours of ordering.. WOW