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I have a 351W in a 68 F100 and I am pondering removing the heavy and dangerous engine fan with a radiator fan that is mounted on the back of the radiator (like modern cars). I wanted to know if anyone else has done this or if their was some reason why this would be a bad idea.....
My understanding is that the fan is for moving air while the vehicle is at rest. The engine is cooled via coolant so the fan only needs to pull air through the radiator, now move air over the block, right? If so, it seems that a modern radiator fan would make more sense and probably allow me to tinker on the engine without losing a hand.
Awesome. I think I am going to junk-yard diving soon and see if I can't get myself a radiator fan. My current fan is actually quite heavy and their is no shroud.... plus removing it would help me add other things to the block like a power steering pump or a better alternator bracket!!
Do you have any pictures of your setup? I would love to see your rig.
Here is the radiator that I use in my highly-modified 56...side flow, dual pass with custom shroud. Not for everybody but very efficient. Built by Mattson's Radiator in Stanton, CA outside of LA.
I just joined the forum. Was not aware that a specific 68 section. I ended up in this section via google search. I should have taken a look around before adding a new thread.
I will check the 68 section out. Thanks!
Here is the radiator that I use in my highly-modified 56...side flow, dual pass with custom shroud. Not for everybody but very efficient. Built by Mattson's Radiator in Stanton, CA outside of LA.
This is the type of setup I am looking to do. I think I am going to rip out some radiator fans from an existing vehicle and build a shroud and bracket for it. Thanks a ton for the pics! Looks like a great setup.
The go to favorite choice of the week is the electric fan from a Lincoln Mark viii, I have one ,just the best. Try a google search, you will be impressed.
My F1 with 460.
Hey '68 F1,
We also have a 351W in our truck. We went the salvage yard route for
our more modern fan. The fans with the highest CFM are the Mark VIII
style fans - our's came off of a V8 Tbird. If you search Ebay you will find folks selling
them packaged with a 2 speed sensor and a high voltage relay. We switched to this
set up to get better air flow as our truck is 400HP and was running hot.
Some thoughts on the Mark VIII Fan installation:
o It's a big 18 inch fan... almost 5 inches wide. You need some room to
shoe horn this in there. Expect to do a lot of "adjusting" to get the shroud
to fit.
o The sensor for the fan needs a home to tell how hot the fluid is
to trigger it to come on. We swapped out our 351W thermostat with
one from the Mustang boys with a nice spot to screw in your sensor.
o You need a nice high end Alternator to run a big fan pulling some amps.
Good luck over there in Ohio! Post some pics so we can see what you are working with.
The go to favorite choice of the week is the electric fan from a Lincoln Mark viii, I have one ,just the best. Try a google search, you will be impressed.
My F1 with 460.
Looks great! I also wanted to change out my coolant hose with a steel hose like what you did. I think the generic black hose looks terrible. I was also considering spending the big bucks and getting some of the stainless flexible coolant hose. Those are nice!!
Hey '68 F1,
We also have a 351W in our truck. We went the salvage yard route for
our more modern fan. The fans with the highest CFM are the Mark VIII
style fans - our's came off of a V8 Tbird. If you search Ebay you will find folks selling
them packaged with a 2 speed sensor and a high voltage relay. We switched to this
set up to get better air flow as our truck is 400HP and was running hot.
Some thoughts on the Mark VIII Fan installation:
o It's a big 18 inch fan... almost 5 inches wide. You need some room to
shoe horn this in there. Expect to do a lot of "adjusting" to get the shroud
to fit.
o The sensor for the fan needs a home to tell how hot the fluid is
to trigger it to come on. We swapped out our 351W thermostat with
one from the Mustang boys with a nice spot to screw in your sensor.
o You need a nice high end Alternator to run a big fan pulling some amps.
Good luck over there in Ohio! Post some pics so we can see what you are working with.
Ben in Austin
1950 F1 (351W/AOD)
Thanks for the advice. I was hoping to upgrade the alternator along with the fan. The one that was on the truck was weak sauce, like 60A. I am putting a new top end on the engine right now. Got the heads a valve job, new intake, carb, headers. Hoping to get everything together by the weekend so I can go part hunting.
Here are some pics so far. I got most of the interior done but no pics sadly. Got new carpet, trim, laid vinyl on the door panels, polished the bezel, etc. Will get some pics up soon. Awaiting headers, valve covers, filter, and some buttoning up. The old gal, fall 2018
Here are some pics from when I purchased the truck.
Get rid of the engine driven fan and go with electric. You will gain a bit of HP, check engine masters on motor trend. They tested all sorts of fans and there was a measurable amount of HP lost to an engine driven fan. Once you have forward movement with the truck you will have airflow through the rad and at highway speed there is enough airflow to not even turn in the fan. Personally I manually switch my fan on or off when I feel it needs it but a fool proof way is the temp switch.
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