I am running a fan shroud, with a 18" flex fan. It is about 2 1/4 inches off the radiator. It is installed correctly. I would want it closer but I am running the longest fan spacer available. I will have to check the bottom hose. It is new but it is not the kind with the spring inside.

Also another thing I noticed is when I bring it up to higher RPMs it gets hotter, once it goes to idle the temp will drop a little.