Electrtic Fans- FE446 update
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 435
Likes: 1
From: Central Oregon
I've got the Flex-a-Lite #295 on my '74 hi-boy 410 with aftermarket A/C. Can't claim to have encountered "Texas-style" temps yet, but the double fan covers the radiator pretty completely, and haven't experienced any undue engine temps yet. JFWIW. Steve
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,175
Likes: 21
From: Texas
Originally Posted by stephenw
I've got the Flex-a-Lite #295 on my '74 hi-boy 410 with aftermarket A/C. Can't claim to have encountered "Texas-style" temps yet, but the double fan covers the radiator pretty completely, and haven't experienced any undue engine temps yet. JFWIW. Steve
that's the dual fan I've been looking at. Does it fit well on the 67-72 radiator? It looks to be just the right width at 27.5".
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 435
Likes: 1
From: Central Oregon
Greg,
Can't speak to the fitment on the earlier rads, as I'm using it on the factory "extra-cooling radiator" on my '74. Seems like the 27.5" width is the same tho. I had to improvise with the brackets that Flex-a-Lite provided, actually wound up cutting the "U"-shaped brackets into just 90degree angle, but pretty straight-forward other than that. I asked Flex-a-Lite specifically about the application of their #295 to my situation, and their tech guy said it was an ideal match-up. I was able to shave a bit off of Summit's price by nosing around the web, and paid a little under $350.
Good Luck! Steve
Can't speak to the fitment on the earlier rads, as I'm using it on the factory "extra-cooling radiator" on my '74. Seems like the 27.5" width is the same tho. I had to improvise with the brackets that Flex-a-Lite provided, actually wound up cutting the "U"-shaped brackets into just 90degree angle, but pretty straight-forward other than that. I asked Flex-a-Lite specifically about the application of their #295 to my situation, and their tech guy said it was an ideal match-up. I was able to shave a bit off of Summit's price by nosing around the web, and paid a little under $350.
Good Luck! Steve
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,562
Likes: 424
From: Long Island USA
Think about it, simple physics - the hotter the interior, the more heat will be pumped out the condenser sitting in front of the radiator - insulate the cab !!!
Just kidding... but one point... move the condensor away from the radiator? Or, just put another electric fan in FRONT of the condensor?
Are all late 60's thru 70's Fords the two-cylinder AC compressor like the ones in the '70's LTD's (to name just one)?
Imagine a British sports car (Triumph TR7) with the two cylinder compressor you've seen on many a Ford... darn thing took half of the power of the 2.0L 4-banger to keep it running. Talk about having to hit the gas on the highway to keep up to speed...
Of course, I could make snow cones out of the center console after leaving it on at IDLE for 1/2 hour... but of course, the steam coming out of the radiator cap made up for the cooling...
Just kidding... but one point... move the condensor away from the radiator? Or, just put another electric fan in FRONT of the condensor?
Are all late 60's thru 70's Fords the two-cylinder AC compressor like the ones in the '70's LTD's (to name just one)?
Imagine a British sports car (Triumph TR7) with the two cylinder compressor you've seen on many a Ford... darn thing took half of the power of the 2.0L 4-banger to keep it running. Talk about having to hit the gas on the highway to keep up to speed...
Of course, I could make snow cones out of the center console after leaving it on at IDLE for 1/2 hour... but of course, the steam coming out of the radiator cap made up for the cooling...
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 0
From: Round Rock, TX
Yeah, it should be that giant York compressor. Those are supposed to be great for onboard air as well. But that doesn't really address the cooling problem. People swear by those Taurus fans; you might look into that. There's a yard down on south Congress that's got lots of Tauruses.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
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
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,175
Likes: 21
From: Texas
Are the Taurus fans thin? If I'm going to put it in fron of the condensor, it will have to be thin. If it is thin enough, I guess I can wire it in with a relay from the compressor power wire, so that it comes on with the compressor, and leave my other fan to come on using the temp sensor.
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,175
Likes: 21
From: Texas
I ordered the Flex-a-lite 295. Mine is obviously not going to keep up with the Texas heat and my AC. I thin the extra urface area coverage of the 295 is going to mak all the difference.
This old truck has cost me more than a new PSD F250 :-(
It sure has a lot of character :-)
Smokey burnout video soon to come. I have to find a camera operator.
This old truck has cost me more than a new PSD F250 :-(
It sure has a lot of character :-)
Smokey burnout video soon to come. I have to find a camera operator.
FE "Freakin Expensive"
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 4
From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Greg.. just grab one of your neighbors around the neck!! tell em there going for a ride to get some beer!!!
So from that sound in your voice..I take it the 446 is running well? Does it seem to have more responce than before?
So from that sound in your voice..I take it the 446 is running well? Does it seem to have more responce than before?
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,562
Likes: 424
From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by gtex
This old truck has cost me more than a new PSD F250 :-(
It sure has a lot of character :-)
Smokey burnout video soon to come. I have to find a camera operator.
It sure has a lot of character :-)
Smokey burnout video soon to come. I have to find a camera operator.
As to camera operators, thats why God made tripods...
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,175
Likes: 21
From: Texas
The new fan is in. and I think it's working better. Unfortunately it is friggin' hot in Texas today, and very humid as well.
As usual, it's one step forward and 2 steps back. I think I need more battery or alternator power with all these electric accessories. I have not even wired up the electric tranny cooler fan, and there is not enough voltage at idle to keep things running well (even the gauges stop working at idle with the AC on).
I have a new 100 amp alternator. But it doesn't start charging until 1000-1200 rpm. I'll be wiring up another battery soon, since I've got several in the shop. I also just installed an Optima as the main power battery.
any suggestions appreciated. It looks like I've got electric overload syndrome:
1. summit 140 GPH electric fuel pump
2. MSD igintion
3. flex-a-lite 295 dual fan
4. electric choke, currently removed
5. small electric fan for rear mounted tranny cooler, not wired up yet.
6. and the tunes, Alpiine 4 channel expert sereies.
As usual, it's one step forward and 2 steps back. I think I need more battery or alternator power with all these electric accessories. I have not even wired up the electric tranny cooler fan, and there is not enough voltage at idle to keep things running well (even the gauges stop working at idle with the AC on).
I have a new 100 amp alternator. But it doesn't start charging until 1000-1200 rpm. I'll be wiring up another battery soon, since I've got several in the shop. I also just installed an Optima as the main power battery.
any suggestions appreciated. It looks like I've got electric overload syndrome:
1. summit 140 GPH electric fuel pump
2. MSD igintion
3. flex-a-lite 295 dual fan
4. electric choke, currently removed
5. small electric fan for rear mounted tranny cooler, not wired up yet.
6. and the tunes, Alpiine 4 channel expert sereies.