My '73's original radiator sprung a leak, so I am replacing it with an MSA aluminum 3-core unit and am taking the opportunity to replace almost everything else in the cooling system (water pump, fan clutch, thermostat, hoses). Before I removed the fan and water pump, I test-fit the new radiator. Not much clearance: I could barely get my index finger between the center of the fan and the new rad. The blades themselves had a little more room though. I called MSA about the narrow clearance, and they wondered if there was a spacer there from dealer-installed AC (the AC system was removed by the PO many years ago). I saw nothing that I would describe as a spacer until I removed the water pump pulley. There was a narrow aluminum spacer/shim inside the puller cover. I haven't measured it yet, but I'd say it wasn't much more than 1/8" thick. Is that spacer leftover from the original A/C, or is it always supposed to be there?