hot engine..
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 92
From: California High Desert
If the problem exists while the truck is moving, at normal road speeds, say over 35mph, then the fans are not the problem. There may be room to improve on the fans, but they are not the problem.
If I'm not mistaken, reverse rotation water pumps are available for sbc, I think originally for serpentine systems but I don't know exactly how interchangeable they are. If you observe coolant flow through the radiator with the cap off, you should see coolant flowing from the top hose and that will confirm that flow is correct.
If you can temporarily relocate the trans cooler or ac condenser, for trouble shooting, try it and see if the problem improves. While this is not particularly uncommon on modern vehicles, it does not mean that it can't be the problem on a vehicle that was never equipped as such.
If I'm not mistaken, reverse rotation water pumps are available for sbc, I think originally for serpentine systems but I don't know exactly how interchangeable they are. If you observe coolant flow through the radiator with the cap off, you should see coolant flowing from the top hose and that will confirm that flow is correct.
If you can temporarily relocate the trans cooler or ac condenser, for trouble shooting, try it and see if the problem improves. While this is not particularly uncommon on modern vehicles, it does not mean that it can't be the problem on a vehicle that was never equipped as such.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
yeah mostly stop and go low speeds..
truck is still at the shop right now.. they know it's not a primary driver so i told em to take their time, i'll check in with em tomorrow if i haven't heard anything just to see that status..
truck is still at the shop right now.. they know it's not a primary driver so i told em to take their time, i'll check in with em tomorrow if i haven't heard anything just to see that status..
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
radiator was 70% clogged.. shop i brought the truck to took it out and took the radiator to a shop they subcontract to.. they cleaned it out, did some repairs and repainted it to the tune of $310, shop reinstalled it, and after I picked it up and about 20 minutes of driving maybe three miles, it was running over 200F and still climbing. The shop has it again. Guy claims so long as it's under 220 he thinks it's ok.. I don't think i'm going back after this is all over.. If I'm not mistaken, I could have bought a good aftermarket radiator with preinstalled fans and shroud for between $250 and $400..
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
too bad the guy working on it forgot to put the god damn nuts back on that hold the larger rear fan to the radiator.. drove it home, popped the hood and found the fan sitting on the crossmember where it was bouncing off the pulley the whole drive.. gonna have to figure out what size nuts they are.. that shop is never seeing the truck again..
Also, they say the fan is so loud because it's dying. I can replace that myself. Current fan measures approx. 16.5" across the housing. Gonna look for an overkill replacement that will fit..
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
what's a minimum cfm range I should look for? obviously more is better, but do I NEED 3000? or can I get away with like 2500, or even less? it's not a race truck, just a cruiser/driver in the rotation.. I don't need top of the line but I don't wanna skimp out either ya know?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 92
From: California High Desert
what's a minimum cfm range I should look for? obviously more is better, but do I NEED 3000? or can I get away with like 2500, or even less? it's not a race truck, just a cruiser/driver in the rotation.. I don't need top of the line but I don't wanna skimp out either ya know?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
I've been mostly looking at Summit, so yes, they are meant for a performance engine, but I would think that means they should be fine for a plain old 350.. same idea behind when i removed the factory mechanical fuel pump from my 72 beetle and installed a Holley red electric pump.. I don't NEED that much flow, but it's nice having it available..
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 92
From: California High Desert
I've been mostly looking at Summit, so yes, they are meant for a performance engine, but I would think that means they should be fine for a plain old 350.. same idea behind when i removed the factory mechanical fuel pump from my 72 beetle and installed a Holley red electric pump.. I don't NEED that much flow, but it's nice having it available..
shroud made to fit your radiator if you can't find aftermarket to fit.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,389
Likes: 58
I found this, https://www.holley.com/blog/post/how..._radiator_fan/, suggesting 2500 cfm as a general guideline for a V8. The best thing to do is ask the fan manufacturer what they suggest for your scenario. Also get a controller of some kind that will turn the fan on and off according to engine temp.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
I found this, https://www.holley.com/blog/post/how..._radiator_fan/, suggesting 2500 cfm as a general guideline for a V8. The best thing to do is ask the fan manufacturer what they suggest for your scenario. Also get a controller of some kind that will turn the fan on and off according to engine temp.
I was wondering about that as well.. on my beetle, i have an external oil cooler with a 180F switch inline. when the oil is above 180F, it activates a 10" fan on the cooler. i assume they make something similar for coolant temps..
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 32,028
Likes: 2,427
From: Upstate NY
Is there any reason since you have to buy one that you wouldn't just put a mechanical fan and spacer back on there? For a shroud, you could easily make one from an 8 inch by 4 feet or so piece of sheet metal formed around the fan circle and attch. some tabs to hold it in place. Not trying to make light of your trouble but just giving different ideas.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Maybe I'm thinking about it wrong, but I keep getting people recommending a mechanical fan.. From my limited knowledge of bigger engines, a mechanical fan is going to be limited by engine RPM. if I'm stuck in traffic, I'm not spinning the engine fast, and the fan isn't cooling as well as it could.. however, an electric fan is either on/off all the time, or controlled by some kind of temp sensor to kick on when needed.. Since I already have an electric fan, it seems like a step backwards to put a mechanical fan back on.
Everything I've seen seems to suggest 2500CFM for a V8, so now I'm looking at either one large fan or a unit with two smaller fans so it spreads the airflow and provides some redundancy..
Everything I've seen seems to suggest 2500CFM for a V8, so now I'm looking at either one large fan or a unit with two smaller fans so it spreads the airflow and provides some redundancy..
