Help, my ron davis radiator doesn't fit

[PSV]

I have a 69 camaro with a BB and the fan on the driver side hits the power steering pump. The radiator support still needs to come toward the engine 3/4" and already overlaps the snout of the power steering unit by 1/2 inch. The radiator is the 11-16ca69 with a 3 1/2" unit. With fans it is 9 inches wide and best I can tell I only have 7 and 1/2 inches to work with. Does anyone have any ideas to make this work? The radiator is awesome but I I can't seem to figure out a way to make it work. I have the March serpentine system for a long water pump. I know others with camaros and BBs must be using this system but how? Here is a picture that I hope shows my problem. Frank, I think I remember you using the radiator on Prodigy, is the engine set back? How did you get this system to work?

http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/7922/powersteeringyu4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[MaxHarvard]

is the fan from ron davis too?

[68protouring454]

as far as i know you really need a short water pump to use much of anything on a camaro with a big block, jody used a mark viii fan and a long water pump but needed a different radiator
jake

[PSV]

Thanks for the replys. The entire unit is from Ron Davis. It has the dual fans and integrated overflow tank. I considered the short water pup, but I don't think the short water pump will move the power steering pump any closer to the block. Am I wrong?

[MarkM66]

I had a long wp on my '68 bbc. I used the dual spal fan set up. I had to trim about 1/2" off that shroud to make it fit, and it was still very tight. Water pump pulley had to go between the fans to work. Power steering pump wasn't an issue.

[Matt@Lateral Dynamics]

Have you called Ron Davis?

[PSV]

I called and talked to Tim on Monday and he said it should fit. I figured it was because of the serpentine system that it would not fit so I mounted it again to get better measurements thinking I would switch to standard v-belts. It now appears that it won't fit with any power steering unit. I have emailed him and asked him to take a look at the pictures on the site to get a better idea of what I'm working with. I think this radiator is great, definately no complaints with it, but I'm hoping someone has a solution or has used this setup before. Seems like it would be fairly common. Here is another picture of what I'm working with.

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/9032/p1010017po4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[camcojb]

What frame pads and mounts are you using for the engine?


Jody

[PSV]

I'm using the bb frame mounts with the taller one on the driver side and energy suspension poly mounts on the block. I have a factory 69 ss 396 camaro also and I took measurements from it and everything is the same. That is how I realized the the radiator support still needs to come toward the engine 3/4 inch. There are no fenders on the car now so I measured the stock car for refernce. Thanks for reading.

[Payton King]

The only solution that I could come up with is 1st, use a short water pump. Then look at Street & Performace ( www.hotrodlane.cc ) They have new style power steering pumps with remote res with different location options and find one that would work.

Unless you really don't want to spend the time, you could always modify your core support and recess the radiator in it to give you the clearance you need. It should not be that hard and probably the cheapest way to go.

[rsk68]

I had a simular problem, i purchased the BB radiator and have the VA front runner system, i had to get the small block radiator to make it work, it is still rated at way over the HP rating i need for my BB, Ron Davis was very good at sending me a new one and I recieved some cash back for the price dif.

RSK68
Rick Klein

[BThibodeaux]

I had a simular problem, i purchased the BB radiator and have the VA front runner system, i had to get the small block radiator to make it work, it is still rated at way over the HP rating i need for my BB, Ron Davis was very good at sending me a new one and I recieved some cash back for the price dif.

RSK68
Rick Klein

Rick,
That is good news. I have the same set up, but don't have it in the car yet. I was concerned about clearance when the guy at Ron Davis would not even sell the BB set up to me because he knew it would not fit. Your experience is probably the reason he knew that.

Brian Thibodeaux

[rsk68]

yep , he has my pictures to prove it, great guys over there, if i was at home i would send the picture for you to see.

RSK68

[BThibodeaux]

yep , he has my pictures to prove it, great guys over there, if i was at home i would send the picture for you to see.

RSK68


Please do send the photo when you get back. I would greatly appreciate it.

BT

[PSV]

If possible will you send them to me as well or post. Also BT will you please measure the widith of the set up you have from the radiator support to the fan motor. I have 7.5 inches to work with. Thanks for all the info.

[race-rodz]

i think recessing the rad into the core support would be good if you have the ability, obviously there would be some repainting involved, but it seems like moving the rad flush with the front side of the core support would gain you the clearance needed.