Remove the fan and change to electric. that wil give you 6 inches or so ...and free up some parasitic horse power
There js a shorter conventional pump that was used on T-birds. But you have to keep in mind you can't just swap the pump, it will require the correct pulleys and brackets. And it must rotate the correct direction.
I already have one, the thing is after I finally set the motor in for good the I saw that water pump closer to the fan than I would like it to be.
Ford Racing used to list a V belt pump that was shorter, "Stewart" was the manufacturer and I think they still list the same pump. But as someone also pointed out, you will also need the pulleys to go with it to make it work.I had one awhile back and since I refused to buy the $185 pulley set, I never could make it work. There was one combo of parts that might work, but I never got both pulleys together to try. Using an Explorer crankpulley/balancer (this one is made "all in one") and using an 80's Crown Vic/Marquis/Towncar water pump pulley should come close to working though.
the ford explorers water pump 1.75" than the traditional water pump length. now the problem is it requires using the explorer timing chain cover and also the explorer pullies and accessories and there brackets. there is a chance that you could change the water pump and timing cover and just get a custom water pump pully
X2 The Explorer is the shortest, but you will have to find the perfect combination of pulleys to work. If you have decent salvage yards around, you might find something that will work without having to change the entire accessory drive as the Explorer system uses a side mount alternator, the small power steering pump and the old junky FS-10 ac compressor. How close is the fan? If it fits, I wouldn't worry about it. Mine has just under 1/4" clearance and has been in there since 1998. The engine rocks back and forth, not front to back.
The only problem with the Explorer setup is he didn't say what motor he's got now. If his crank is a 28 oz/in, he'll have to have the Explorer balancer rebalanced to 28 from 50. The Stewart std rotation pump and pulleys would be the easier (although maybe not cheaper) way to go.
I had the same problem when I installed my Taurus electric fan. I just slotted the motor mounts about 3/8" and slid everything rearward.
