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The FE446 is running good. I've made a few trips around and nothing has fallen off or blown up yet :-) I mounted the AC compressor today and she turned right over without any parts flying away and she's blowing cold. That's good, it's getting hot down here.
The Bad news. Bwtween the heat and the AC running, the Black Magic electric fan doesn't appear to be keeping thing cool as I had hoped when sitting at idle with the AC blowing. I'm afraid it will need a double fan setup (at twice the price :-(
I have been having good luck so far. 80 degrees is about as hot as it has gotten though and it was on a good amount of the time but I have it set to keep the radiator pretty cool.
Nope, I could not imagine having A/C. I use the 255 system to keep cool in the summer. It doesn't work as well as I would like. Do you have the stock compressor or have you converted to an aftermarket or other type. I'll bet even that 446 bogs a little when you turn the a/c on if you have the stock one. No, I do not think the answer is switching compressors. You may need the extra airflow through the radiator. You are using quite a bit more of the cylinder wall than I am with my smaller 3.784" stroke.
Mine is an aftermarket AC setup with the underdash blower setup.
It's a big, ugly old compressor that sits right up top and makes the whole engine compartment ugly...but I live in central Teas. AC is not an option.
I may try to fab up some aluminum cover or something to make it prettier...
neighboor suggested I put another fan on the outside, using the push/pull technique. It would have t obe thin, fit between the truck grill and the AC radiator.
Greg the push pull system is ok to pick up a couple more CFM..all your doing is helping the fan on the inside..what you need to do is spread your cooling air over a larger area of the radiator....Russ
We have had good luck useing fans from a Ford Taurus very high CFM seems to move more air than aftermarket types. Easy to find in salvage yard.
I hope this helps HOTWRENCH
I've got a stock under-dash AC unit on mine. I pulled it off a '69 F-100 up at the junkyard. I have it filled with Enviro-save (propane with piney fresh scent) so I can use mineral oil and not ruin the bearings in the compressor. It has this big square looking compressor. Anyway, it works real good, but driving down the highway with it on, on a 95 degree day last summer, the temperature would slowly creep up to 220F. I'd turn it off and it'd go back down. This is with a (basically) stock 360 and the stock flex-fan. So, you're gonna need some SERIOUS fan flow to keep that thing cool, or a bigger radiator.
I don't know the CFM's but I have been useing them on everything from big block 4x4's to supercharged street rods and have had very good sucess.
I've been paying between 20.00$@30.00$ for them. HOTWRENCH
Mine will stay cool with the AC off. Or even with the AC on but in cooler weather or as long as I'm moving. At idle, it gets hot :-(
the AC belt flew off today on my way back to work. it took out the alternator belt as well :-( got a ride, replaced the belts (left the AC belt off for now, it needs alignment). Then it wouldn't start, battery dead from running flashers. Back to the store, get new battery just for grins. I figure a good battery should be able to run flashers for an hour then still start the truck. This was an older battery. I really need a dual battery setup. I also need to find a dual belt pulley for the aftermarket alternator.
Didn't they offer a bigger radiator on the AC equipped trucks? Maybe that's what you (and me) need.
If I get a chance, which it looks like I will since I'm out of college for the next 2 weeks, I'll go up to the junkyard and see if I can locate that truck I took the AC off of. I'll measure the radiator and see if it's any bigger than mine. Gtex - post your radiator dimensions on here so we can compare.
I find it hard to believe that stock AC equipped trucks overheated from the factory; there must be a way to make it work.
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