fan vs. electric
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,005
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From: Santa Clarita
fan vs. electric
I've noticed several people are getting rid of the old flex fan or clutch fans and replacing them with electric fans. I thinking about installing an electric fan but not sure which way to go. Any suggestions on brand, size and install? Thanks. (Santa might bring me a fan for Christmas)
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Riverside, So Cal
I got mine from the Summit Racing catalog. Get a 16 inch "S" blade model at 2400+ cfm. They are supposed to be quieter than the straight blade style.
Last edited by Randy Jack; Dec 6, 2005 at 11:52 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 969
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From: North Texas
Measure radiator, get the biggest(cfm) fan that will fit, and get a thermostat that screws into a water passage in the block. The adjustable probe thermostats are trash. If the air temperature changes more than 15 degrees you have to re-adjust them.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,561
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From: Earth
I had an electric and it didn't cool enough. I put on a mechanical and it cools better. I ended up turning the electric into a pusher fan and mounting it in front of the radiator so I can turn it on when I'm in stagnant traffic.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,759
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From: Elk River, MN
Leckert, with a down flow radiator, the hottest water comes into the top and it is cooled as it flows to the bottom of the radiator and back out the lower hose to the water pump intake. An electric fan usually cools fine unless you do any extreme things, like running a/c in stop and go traffic, trailer towing on a long grade or god forbid, burn outs/repeated converter stalls, etc.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Riverside, So Cal
Ed - Rodparts Warehouse is advertising a 3300 cfm S-blade 16" fan (with temp control) for $129.95. Heck of a deal! 1-800-373-5773.
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: North Texas
I put mine immediately above the coolant return to the block. All coolant must return to the block so, in theory, everything gets cooled. Plus it exhausts the heat under the engine instead of right into the intake.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Livonia Michigan
Originally Posted by 53fatfndr
I had an electric and it didn't cool enough. I put on a mechanical and it cools better. I ended up turning the electric into a pusher fan and mounting it in front of the radiator so I can turn it on when I'm in stagnant traffic.
John F.
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 553
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From: MN - NW of Twin Cities
After losing a radiator to the jaws of a mechanical fan on my 23 Ford roadster i mounted an electrical fan to the new radiator and it's been cooling my big block Mopar 
fine for 28 years. Butthen again it's an open engine compartment.
Bruce
fine for 28 years. Butthen again it's an open engine compartment.Bruce
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
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Just as important as the fan, is the fan shroud. It helps to direct the air flow over 100% of the radiator core. I was looking for a shroud for my F-7 when I found a shroud and 16" electric fan on a popular auction site. The company will custom make the shroud to match my core and mount the fan. I am guessing that I will gain 10-12 hp by getting rid of the stock fan.
John - NNY
John - NNY
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,443
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From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
I changed my 302 (from a 73) to an electric system this summer. I love it! Most imediate changes include; quicker warm-ups, now I get heat and defroster before I get to work in the morning, a small increase in power (could be my imagination?), quiet running (except when the fan comes on, then its a bit noisy, but its not on for too long), no risk of fingers getting chopped off W/O a shroud..
I did the Summet route, largest one I could afford, I made steel brackets that bolt to the rad frame, and a water jacket temp probe is the only way to go, I tried the thru the fins probe...bad idea.
I did the Summet route, largest one I could afford, I made steel brackets that bolt to the rad frame, and a water jacket temp probe is the only way to go, I tried the thru the fins probe...bad idea.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 895
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From: OK
I got one of these adjustable fan thermostats last year for Chrsitmas (It goes in the drain plug on the radiator). I'm not sure how accuarate it will be, but I will give it a shot anyway. I have yet to install it to see how well it works, but I will install it this winter and test it next summer.
hotrod48
hotrod48