thermal fan clutch issues

[BrianG]

I am reassembling my cooling system and am switching from a flex fan to a thermal clutch fan. I have a 69 4x4 with the engine in the back position as original and the correct fan shroud. I have a new flex-a-lite thermal fan clutch part number FLX-5555 and a new fan blade. My problem is, the fan does not sit correctly in the shroud. It is only in by about a half inch, maybe less. After quite a while searching, I have read that most say that a spacer is not needed with a clutch fan. Some even recommend against it if it IS needed. From those posts, it appears that there should be a longer thermal clutch fan available. I cannot find Thermal clutches on Flex-a-lite's website. Maybe they got out of the business. So... Who has replaced their cooling system to use a thermal clutch fan, and what part number/manufacture did you use? I hate to have to spend another $50, but I want it to be right also.