6.8 cooling question?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 172
Likes: 7
From: McMinnville Oregon
6.8 cooling question?
Posted a question about electric cooling fans on the 6.8 V-10 as in my 2003 Excursion 4x4. Not sure where the post went. . . . Not related to cooling systems on 390's, 351's, or 283's. Just want to know if 5000 CFM can cool 310hp in a 4 ton SUV that doesn't see any towing. That's why I asked on this particular forum.
Thinking of Flex-A-Lite dual fan setup as marketed for 1/2 ton trucks. I see similar systems used on the Ford Lightning which has more HP, but probably isn't used for towing either. . . Any thoughts out there? Will the stock alternator handle the amp draw?
I appreciate any input or comments. . .
Thinking of Flex-A-Lite dual fan setup as marketed for 1/2 ton trucks. I see similar systems used on the Ford Lightning which has more HP, but probably isn't used for towing either. . . Any thoughts out there? Will the stock alternator handle the amp draw?
I appreciate any input or comments. . .
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,844
Likes: 6
From: Albuquerque
You should be fine with a dual electric setup. I had a dual Flex-a-lite fan (4600 cfm at max 100% flow) setup on my 6.4L 390FE that was a mild build...and had NO issues. I was using the stock high output (for '76 in the day) 61amp alternator...also NO issues. Of course I did upgrade my radiator to a Griffin aluminum and installed an Edelbrock aluminum water pump.
Keep in mind, that the fan does not usually cool the engine while cruising down the road. The radiator does that. The only time you should see that fan come on is city driving...or stop and go. Or if you are driving a steep grade hill. A nice advantage is that YOU are able to set the fan to come on early or late...kind of nice.
DO NOT install if you are going to tow!
biz
Keep in mind, that the fan does not usually cool the engine while cruising down the road. The radiator does that. The only time you should see that fan come on is city driving...or stop and go. Or if you are driving a steep grade hill. A nice advantage is that YOU are able to set the fan to come on early or late...kind of nice.
DO NOT install if you are going to tow!
biz
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 172
Likes: 7
From: McMinnville Oregon
Thanks for the reply, Biz.
Do you have any pics of your install? Noticed in a forum search that HeavyAssault has a setup similar to yours? But could only find a few "tech" photos in his gallery. I appreciate that the fans aren't needed at highway speeds, and don't plan on towing. I see a lot of negative comments on the idea of swapping out the clutch fans, but these are from people who haven't actually tried the conversion. Thanks again for the reply.
Do you have any pics of your install? Noticed in a forum search that HeavyAssault has a setup similar to yours? But could only find a few "tech" photos in his gallery. I appreciate that the fans aren't needed at highway speeds, and don't plan on towing. I see a lot of negative comments on the idea of swapping out the clutch fans, but these are from people who haven't actually tried the conversion. Thanks again for the reply.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 127
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From: Crystal Lake, IL
Hey CalEx! You can see my flexalite setup in my gallery. The fans are variable speed, and they work great. Excellent product. I am very happy with them!! I am very glad I changed to them. I have about 30,000 mile with them on and I have had no maintenance issues thus far.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 172
Likes: 7
From: McMinnville Oregon
Thanks SuperdutyRob,
Good pic of Flex A Lite fans. . . Any problems with the alternator handling the load?
Also liked the Y-pipe. About as smooth as you can get in the space available. Did you buy pre-bent tubing then cut and weld? I see mandrel bend pipe in some of the catalogs like Summit's.
Thanks for the reply !
Good pic of Flex A Lite fans. . . Any problems with the alternator handling the load?
Also liked the Y-pipe. About as smooth as you can get in the space available. Did you buy pre-bent tubing then cut and weld? I see mandrel bend pipe in some of the catalogs like Summit's.
Thanks for the reply !
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 127
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From: Crystal Lake, IL
They doen't seem to be any load on the alternator. I also have an electric water pump, and an onboard air compressor. When I'm driving, I can't tell when the fans kick on, even when I have the brights on. The Y pipe I constructed out of as you guessed it, from mandrel prebent tubing from summit, and the y is also from summit. It was a pretty easy cut and weld job. Just have to make sure the measurements are exactly right. It cost me approximately $75 to make the y pipe, and it fits perfectly. I will get some pictures in my gallery of it on the truck. It look a lot better put on than sitting on my floor. Good luck man! Thanks for the compliment!
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,844
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From: Albuquerque
Originally Posted by CalEx4x4
Thanks for the reply, Biz.
Do you have any pics of your install? Noticed in a forum search that HeavyAssault has a setup similar to yours? But could only find a few "tech" photos in his gallery. I appreciate that the fans aren't needed at highway speeds, and don't plan on towing. I see a lot of negative comments on the idea of swapping out the clutch fans, but these are from people who haven't actually tried the conversion. Thanks again for the reply.
Do you have any pics of your install? Noticed in a forum search that HeavyAssault has a setup similar to yours? But could only find a few "tech" photos in his gallery. I appreciate that the fans aren't needed at highway speeds, and don't plan on towing. I see a lot of negative comments on the idea of swapping out the clutch fans, but these are from people who haven't actually tried the conversion. Thanks again for the reply.
We all love the '76!Good luck with your conversion...it is really easy and with the stock alternator being over 100 amps (if I remember right)...you should not have any problems. My dual setup never did go at a 100%...would only kick on to the 60%...and living in the HOT southwest...that is saying something.
biz
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 172
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From: McMinnville Oregon
Biz4two and SuperdutyRob, I appreciate the feedback ! !
Fabrication is not a problem for me, but being almost 50 years old,
I'm a bit more careful now about researching before I go chopping things up.
Even more now that trucks cost so much! So let's see. . . fans, Y-pipe, then maybe
some ladderbars to control that wheel hop !
Fabrication is not a problem for me, but being almost 50 years old,
I'm a bit more careful now about researching before I go chopping things up.
Even more now that trucks cost so much! So let's see. . . fans, Y-pipe, then maybe
some ladderbars to control that wheel hop !
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Crystal Lake, IL
Just to let you know Cal, I needed to modify the fan brackets to install the fan. If you want me to, I can send you pictures of the brackets, and how I actually mounted the fans. Anything to save you some grief. I think the stock alternator is 130 amp.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 172
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From: McMinnville Oregon
Thanks Rob,
Any help/photos/ideas can only save me time and/or grief !
With winter coming up soon, I look foreward to quicker warm-ups with the electic fans and less noise from the fan clutch, not to mention reducing the wear and tear on not only the water pump, but the serpentine belt that drives everything as well. Thought I might go to the Goodyear Gatorback when I pull off the fan. I'll be in there anyway, with 38K miles, can't hurt to replace the belt. I'm doing a 3" body lift, and the fans will eliminate the problem of lining up the fan/shroud/radiator. Did my '86 Ford Van years ago, and the body lift makes it easier to get to the spark plugs, allows more airflow around the engine, made it quieter inside the cab and increases clearance between the engine/drivetrain and the body. Should make it easier to add on some Gibson shorty headers and a Y-pipe next year. My one last concern about the fans was the alternators ability to handle the 38-50 amp draw, but you said that your light don't even dim. That's good enough for me !
Any help/photos/ideas can only save me time and/or grief !
With winter coming up soon, I look foreward to quicker warm-ups with the electic fans and less noise from the fan clutch, not to mention reducing the wear and tear on not only the water pump, but the serpentine belt that drives everything as well. Thought I might go to the Goodyear Gatorback when I pull off the fan. I'll be in there anyway, with 38K miles, can't hurt to replace the belt. I'm doing a 3" body lift, and the fans will eliminate the problem of lining up the fan/shroud/radiator. Did my '86 Ford Van years ago, and the body lift makes it easier to get to the spark plugs, allows more airflow around the engine, made it quieter inside the cab and increases clearance between the engine/drivetrain and the body. Should make it easier to add on some Gibson shorty headers and a Y-pipe next year. My one last concern about the fans was the alternators ability to handle the 38-50 amp draw, but you said that your light don't even dim. That's good enough for me !
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 127
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From: Crystal Lake, IL
I will get some picks of the brackets I modified. A body lift should look great on your rig. their just such a PITA to put in. The advantges definitely outway the trouble though. I think its a great idea to do the gatorback belt swap. Im going to do the same thing here. I have definitely enjoyed the benefits of the fan. I did the fan setup because with my supercharger kit, the company gave me a clutch fan spacer. The spacer made the clutch fan put too much leverage on the waterpump pulley, so I kept blowing waterpumps. I eneded up getting the fans and the electric waterpump. I love them both! Let me know when you get your fans, and you should get a gallery set up. I would like to see your rig. C-ya!
