Yes and no. You can always go electric later if you really want to, but it's a personal decision at that point because the mechanical Explorer fan is not going to lack in cooling ability.
I don't remember ever hearing of anyone that is using the Explorer setup that has a cooling issue.
Heck, there are several members running the Explorer V6 radiator to cool their 351's and having great luck there too!
But the other benefit of that drive system, like was said, is that the extra clearance might allow for a more powerful electric fan.
It takes a pretty beefy fan, capable of pulling a lot of air, to keep a Bronco cool when it does not want to be cool.
For your earlier question, there are actually a few members using the March and CVF (or CVR?) systems these days I think. It's a more recent development because in the past you would not find one of us cheapskates using an accessory drive system that cost almost as much as the Bronco did!
So historically speaking, there is not a lot of experience with them. But as you know, more and more people are putting the cool toys on their Broncos nowadays, so you might get some good info.
A thread from just the other day (I want to say maybe three days ago now?) showed a couple of systems put on EB's. Unfortunately one was still in the build stage, so there was no way yet to know what the clearance factor was going to be. Not until the body and radiator go on, unless they take some measurements from the front of the engine.
I didn't see anyone discussing that dimension (although it was asked) and I think the thread stopped there.
Maybe if you bring it back up they can do some measuring.
Bottom line though, is just like was said. The Explorer stuff is just about as short as you're ever likely to find for the front of a Windsor family engine.
Good luck.
Paul
