Ok diesel guys, I have a question. I am normally found in the 48-60 section, but I thought I would direct my diesel issue to you all. I have a 1955 Ford F-800 semi project under way. It is a full on semi: Tandem rear, air brakes, 5x4 trans. 44,000 rear with 12,000 front weights, etc. etc. The truck has an 1160 CAT V-8 nestled between the frame rails, and I am going to have to run an electric fan. The motor is non-turbo, and the gears should keep the engine speeds comfortable. It's not being built for any commercial use, and instead of a commercial sized 5th wheel, it will recieve a rv sized one, and a goose-neck, and a reciever hitch. I plan on pulling nothing more than maybe a small car trailer with a drag car. I will be installing a stock type (50's Ford) radiator, but it will be a 4 row. How much CFM fan should I run. I've been told that anything from a 2000-3000 would be plenty. Any input will be appreciated.

 

Interesting project!!
Are you going to put a tray back of some sort on the back? It would allow some good storage space like the tow truck in pic. You'll also want to revise the rear springs to suit your lighter loads. As for fans, pretty much a case of installing as much as you can. Multiple fans can allow you to stagger the turn on temp.

Good luck!

 

I'm going to swap out the long tanks for some smaller ones, and will be able to put a small tool/storage box on it. I will also be installing a 36" or 48" flat top sleeper. The rear frame will covered with diamond tread, or something deck plates., and I will be installing a 1/4" steel plate on the very rear for mounting the hitches. I do plan on removing the walking beam setup, and replacing it with either Freightliner air spring suspension, or Peterbilt Air trac. I will also be replacing the front leaf spring packs with springs that have a smaller number of leaves (want it to set a bit lower in the front). I was thinking that if I went with a 2700 cfm fan, and set it to come on around 190, or 200, then I should be ok, and then see if it gets much hotter than that and try something different. The problem is that I don't have a lot of sppce ont he 55 Ford radiator surface to istall more than one fan. The motor is a 210 horse N/A mechanical injected diesel. It has no ac, and no frills. The fan that was on it was a 5 blade approx. 15" diameter attached to a hub above the motor. If I put a large CFM electric, and set it to blow straight on the motor, I am thinking I could get away with less than the mechanical fan. The radiator core was bigger than the 55's, but it was only a 2 row. This is my first diesel project, and so I am asking as much as I can to get it right the first time.

 

seems to be a nice project although not sure of engine choice
the 3160 dates back to early 70s and not much of a torquer a 7.3 IDI or nicer apowerstroke with auto would work nice in front of 4 spd aux
is trans or aux overdrive?
most likely both are unsyncronized and will work your arm off
by changing to 40k lb air ride will probly lose about 1000 lbs and nicer ratios
air bagscan even be added to front and cab for better ride

 

Engine was chosen because it cam in the frame. I paid $1000 for the donor dumptruck, and don't have the enormous bank roll to afford even a used 7.3 or similar. The transmission is a 5x4 manual trans set up, both are trannies, not overdrive. I have no problem shifting, and would rather have the gear choices. I will not ever put an auto in a truck, imo, it takes the truck out of the truck. The intent is to make it look like it could of come from the factory, with some custom semi touches. The motor was a perfect choice for the lack of extensive body fitment mods. I was able to put the frame mounts from the 55 chassis straight over to the L-8000 frame, and bolt the cab down with out too much trouble. Air ride is in the plans for the rear, but I will be keeping a leaf spring front.

 

still a nice project
the dump truck donor explains the 3160 with 5X4 the 44k rears is strange for an L8000