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Feb 19, 2006 | 07:44 PM

McLeod

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351W EB owners

I'm trying to figure if I want to go electric fans or attempt to install a mechanical fan on my 351 with a 4 core radiator. (Only 2.25" between radiator and waterpump flange)

What method did you choose and how does it work? Does it keep it cool in summer?

Any input would be great.
Thanks
Ken

Feb 20, 2006 | 10:51 AM

bmc69

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I tried the Flex-o-lite Black Magic fan and shroud and it fit well but did not get the job done. However, there are guys that run the Ford Taurus electric fan/shroud and apparently it does keep thing cool enough..and for a lot less money (junkyard/u-pullit) than what I paid for that Flex-o-lite. I had enough room in mine to stuff a big 7-blade mechnical fan back in with a custom-made shroud.

Feb 20, 2006 | 12:23 PM

McLeod

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I'm afraid to go electric for that very reason.
I don't want to spend several hundred dollars for the electric (if it worked I would prefer electric) only to have to spend another hundred and tons of time to try to shoehorn a mechanical setup in there.

I might just go the mechanical route from the get go.
Thanks bmc69.

regards,
Ken

Feb 20, 2006 | 12:31 PM

bmc69

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Wait..Maybe I was a bit hasty and too negative..I'll make you a heck of a deal on a real nice Flex-oLite Black Magic Fan assembly...;-)

Seriously, I should also note that I ended up using a triple-pass aluminum radiator, in addition to the big fan and custom shroud, before I had the cooling of my 408 completely under control. Another thing that helps a lot is to make sure that you block off as many of the various 'holes' in the core support as you can to reduce the amount of hot air that recircs from the engine comaprtment back to the front of the radiator. That helps a lot when you are moving slowly..like trail crawling.

Feb 21, 2006 | 09:03 PM

68 351 bronc

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From: Colville

I have a GT40 crate engine, 4 core rad. Miliden water pump and Flexolite fan. I do run 200 degrees at times in the summer but do not boil over. It only gets warm in Low RANGE. Hard pulling hills at highway speed are not a problem.

Feb 21, 2006 | 09:39 PM

bronco69

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From: New Carlisle, IN

I had the same problem when i put in my 351 ceveland corba jet in my 72 bronco , not enouf room for engine fan because of raditor and bottom pullies. But I had a eletric fan that i took out of my crapy pontic-act grand am car. I had to off sit it because of the water pump pullies but it fit. I have a stock 3 core radatior from the 302 still in it and i have a High performance water pump on the ceveland and i took out the thermastat for it didn't heat up, just keeps cooling all the time. And i never have had problems with it heating up yet .

Feb 28, 2006 | 11:16 AM

McLeod

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Resolved

Thought I'd post a follow up to the fan clearance issue and how I resolved it.

I ended up using a mechanical fan. I purchased a 17" flex-lite "race" fan from Summit. It has a moderate pitch on the blades and an offset that worked great.
I retained the fan shroud, and mounted the fan directly on the waterpump pulley with no spacer.
The 3 sheave crank pulley I had was too large, so I had Napa turn in a lathe to remove the outer sheave. It is now a 2 sheave pulley.
The upper radiator hose had to be shortened and manipulated a bit for clearance.
I have apprx 1" between fan and radiator, 1/2" between fan and crank pulley and 3/4" between fan and upper radiator hose.

Far from rocket science, but hopefully helpful to someone searching for a resolution to the clearance issue.

Regards,
Ken