Engine Leaking water pump. Can I use RTV on the back cover?

[evintho]

I have exactly 3-1/8" from the rad fins to the little snout that sticks out from the water pump. 3000 cfm aftermarket fans are too deep. I assume Contour and Taurus fans are too. The only aftermarket I could find that'll fit is this one. 2-1/2" deep, 16" fan and 2150 cfm. That's double the 1100 cfm fan that's on there now. I hope that's enough!
Amazon product ASIN B0BJZXZZ4V
View: https://www.amazon.com/KUUHLERSAT-Aluminum-Radiator-1987-2006-2-4L-4-2L/dp/B0BJZXZZ4V/ref=sr_1_4?crid=15Q0YMG6S860P&keywords=AluK%C3%BChl+Aluminum+Radiator+Shroud+%2616%27%27+Fan+fit+1987-2006+98+JEEP+WRANGLER+YJ%2FTJ+2.4-4.2L&qid=1675963425&replacementKeywords=aluk%C3%BChl+aluminum+radiator+shroud+%2616%27%27+fan+fit+1987-2006+yj%2Ftj+2.4-4.2l&sprefix=aluk%C3%BChl+aluminum+radiator+shroud+%2616%27%27+fan+fit+1987-2006+98+jeep+wrangler+yj%2Ftj+2.4-4.2l%2Caps%2C145&sr=8-4&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.f5122f16-c3e8-4386-bf32-63e904010ad0&vehicle=1998-42-356------------&vehicleName=1998+Jeep+Wrangler

That is a pretty vivid image. What did you take this pic with? I'm guessing that it's [not] a cell phone (even tho the flash is a wash).

I use a 30 year old digital camera that I have.

 

[Noobz347]

I use a 30 year old digital camera that I have.

The image sensor is pretty decent.

 

[AeroCoupe]

So I trimmed 3/4" off the shroud on the Mark VIII fans that are installed in my Coupe and the T-Bird. I literally have maybe 1/4" between the fan and the water pump snout. Been this way for +/- 10 years on the Coupe with zero issues. I run a Fluidyne radiator in the Coupe and a Griffen in the T-Bird so they are thicker than the stock unit.

I believe the thickest part on all the OEM fans is not where the water pump snout it is but I can only attest to this on the Mark VIII fans.