E3 Fan and Radiator Spacing

[tmh]

I have a 73 Bavaria with a 3.5 engine from an 87 535i with Motronic FYI. As most of you know, there isn't much room between the fan and radiator. My fan started contacting the radiator while driving, but not while stopped with the hood open and/or while blipping the throttle. It doesn't appear to happen under heavy braking based on not hearing contact when braking. I'm not sure when it actually happens or what is causing the issue. I went ahead and changed the motor mounts hoping to resolve the problem. It did not fix the issue. I had my mechanic look it over and he doesn't see where the movement is coming from. I went ahead and deleted the fan clutch and installed an electric fan which does work to some extent. However, in Southwest Florida in the hot summer months at the heat of the day, the gauge runs at 2/3's position. I would prefer to have the fan clutch as the car did seem to run a bit cooler based on the temperature gauge.

I saw something in one of the posts awhile back about some type of bracket that appeared to mount to the subframe, with the inference that such part kept the engine from moving on the mounts as much. Perhaps this is part of my issue. Has anyone fabricated a replacement part and does anyone have any suggestions for resolving this matter?

 

[Peter Coomaraswamy]

Hi, I had a similar problem with my e9 when I put in the larger engine (in my case a fancy Euro 635 csi block-etc). There are some rubber holders in the brackets that secure the radiator to the front of the car- you can remove the rubber holders and cut them such that the radiator is held further from the fan. If my car were with me today I would snap a shot but you can probably visualize the process.

Hope that helps

 

[TedS]

Hi, I had a similar problem with my e9 when I put in the larger engine (in my case a fancy Euro 635 csi block-etc). There are some rubber holders in the brackets that secure the radiator to the front of the car- you can remove the rubber holders and cut them such that the radiator is held further from the fan. If my car were with me today I would snap a shot but you can probably visualize the process.

Hope that helps

Here's another mention of that-

Thinner E9 radiator?

A while back, I added a clutched fan to my coupe, and now (under braking), the fan SLIGHTLY grazes the center seam on the OEM radiator. It's only a matter of time until I shatter the fan, and blades go through the hood... ...maybe not THAT bad, but you get the idea. I was thinking about...

e9coupe.com

@tmh - I did read that post a while back about those brackets. To make them work on the Bavaria I think you'd have to drill and tap holes in the motor mount brackets. This is from memory which isn't great, I think the coupes have provisions while the E3's don't.

 

[duct-tape]

I saw your post on FB and have been thinking about this. You said you can't repeat the problem with the hood open. I wonder if opening the hood torques the front end away from the fan. I know it shouldn't but if theres a little flex in the core support, that could be the case.

Side note though, b35 motor mounts have to be custom made to mount on the e3 subframe. you could move the motor back a half inch with some different mounts

 

[GolfBavaria]

I tried fixing similar issue with a tri-core radiator. Problem was the extra core would t fit because of the clutch fan clearance. But that is because the extra core was facing the motor. There is an extra 1/4” or so if it’s rewelded towards the front of car. Towards the nose. I’m going to take it to a radiator specialist and show them the issue and see if what I want to do is possible. I’ll keep you posted. I know that extra core makes a difference. I have also been thinking of installing an oil cooler like what’s on an e24. Problem is figment on the Bav. The e24 has a nice long nose for it. But there are ways to get creative. Haven’t found the perfect spot yet. The Porsche guys do this. Just some ideas for you.

 

[tmh]

My issue is that the fan/engine must move under some circumstance(s) and whether others have had this issue.

 

[sfdon]

The answers are out there....

IF you want a modern fan
IF you want a spin on fan clutch

you will be best served with a 2 row radiator that is offset in its frame towards the front of the car.
that radiator will NOT have a top frame that is wider than the core of the radiator


and all that said- when you give up dealing with your problems- just buy a Euro skinny fan and be done with it.