Well im still very new to this and im only 16 its pretty hard restore a mustang to driving condition expecialy when its your first car and well I ran into two problems

the first is I had to replace the fan because the stock was bent and mangled like crazy, so I got a new fan and a spacer, I know the spacer I got was too long but someone told me that I need something called a "flex fan"? I have no idea what that is, I have some pictures of my current setup and I am going to get a shorter spacer but my question is im wondering if I can use the fan thats in the picture.

Low Res
http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/9320/1001035yp4.jpg

Hi Res
http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/2508/10010391ql1.jpg

Second problem is there is about a 1 inch gap between the steering shaft and the stearing gear box, how can I fix that? I have some pictures here. I took it out so long ago and just put it back in to find out it doesnt fit, I cant remember if im forgeting something or what

Image
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/9749/10010341yh6.jpg


Thanks everyone, sorry if I get some of the terminology wrong [&:]

 

A flex fan has 'flexible' blades to self adjust to engine speed.They sometimes come apart due to the flexing. You need about two inches clearance in any case. Consider a fan shroud as well.
You appear to be missing the flexible joint in the column and then your steering columnhousing inside the car can be shoved down a bit to allow the connection.
Jim

 

As far as the fan goes, get a good one. I use a flex fan, but it won't come apart, it's 100% steel and rated to 10,000rpm(it's a Flex-A-Lite). Basically, as the engine speed increases the blades on the fan which seem kind thin/flimsy and are curved, flatten out as the resistance with the air becomes higher, it helps reduce the amount of power it takes to turn the fan. If you get a flex fan, make sure you get a good quality one, not some plastic crap that will come apart. And definately get a shroud and the PROPER spacer, which is gonna be determined by the shroud depth and clerance to the engine...general rule of thumb is you want to space the fan so that it's half in and half out of the shroud. The most important thing is that you have a good quality fan that does the job, it doesn't have to be a flex, or an electric or any other thing, it just needs to work first and foremost. As long as it pulls enough air through the radiator, you're good

 

After further review, what year is the car? Does the spacer have some letters and numbers on it and if so what are they?
Jim

 

Hey! I was doing the same thing as your age, restoring my first car that happened to be a Mustang. So long ago...like6 years[8D].
And don't worry about the long spacer, mine have it them too. Keeping the fan close to the radiator would be better anyway. Plus, you don't need a flex fan at all.

 

Flex fan does help tho,It cooled better for both me and my friends car.

 

wow thanks for the help, I know the spacer was the wrong size, I was planing on getting another one but I just wanted to make sure I could use that fan.

and its a 1968 coupe

thanks for the help

 

Just a little advice.things will be tough but dont get discouraged.My 66 was my first car and restored the thing myself and it wasnt toooooo hard.but definitely stressful,so just hang in there.