In regards to the "Wildest" post....

Since it would be bad if the fan clutch locks up while blocked like that, what if I could manage to undo and take off the fan so that at least the axle it is mounted on can turn freely?

Thanks for all the input... I'm somewhat in alarm mode now... have to get the rad pulled out soon. Would be nice to have it safely mobile though so that I can at least drive it to some body shops to get bids on pulling out the radiator area.