Fan Question

[afast93stang]

Fan & Cooling Question

I have a flex fan and I’m wondering how far away from the radiator should it be. Currently I have a 2 inch spacer on it but I still get my hand with a small socket wrench in the space to get it off.

I’m having cooling issues with the A/C on (a/c gets warm) but the engine cools down just fine with the A/C off. I’m also installing a mechanical temp gauge to see just how hot it is getting.

Should I upgrade to an electric fan or add a secondary pusher fan to aid my main one?

And I’ve checked the coolant levels, I’m running a Ron Davis aluminum 3 core radiator that is 6 months old & 180* t-stat.

 

[SamSnyder]

I think the issue is not how close the fan is to the radiator, but where it sits in relation to the fan shroud. I believe that the fan should be just even with the fan shroud, if not a little in, ie, a smidge closer to the radiator. But I think that the goal is to create the best airflow through the shroud, which means worrying more about how it sits in the shroud than where the radiator is. If you are not running a fan shroud, that's probably where your problem lies. I am not a big fan (no pun intended) of flex fans, although I did run an original 70's Ford flex fan on my old '68. But it was mondo, and the aftermarket ones from flex-a-lite and others less than impress me. With that much radiator I do agree that you are having a fan issue. But I would go with a factory ford fan clutch on the original fan first. I think they are the best. And yes, I am saying that the Ford clutch is better than the aftermarket stuff available, although my problem with aftermarket clutches is that they're universally too tight, which costs HP. But for you, that might be better. Ultimately however, a proper shroud and air control is the key.

 

[HISSIN50]

well said Sam.

a HD clutch on a stock fan (or metal replacement blade - my choice) should help. the clutch allows the fan to be more efficient at idle.

I live in Tucson, which is likely comparable climate-wise to Plano (we were 108* today) - no issues with that set up.

if you have a 3G alt, the logical choice might be a HD fan like a Mk 8 or Viper electric fan. if not (and you dont anticipate an alt upgrade), a clutched mech fan should work a little better.

I dont like pusher fans because they impede air flow at speed.

sorry for the recursiveness of this. i must be more tired than normal.
good luck.

 

[afast93stang]

I do have a fan shroud but not fan clutch. The fan is on a 2in spacer but about a half inch of the blades stick out of the shroud.

The donor car I bought to do my 4 to 8 conversion was in a front end collision and the stock fan & clutch were rendered useless. At that time it was cheaper to buy the flex fan and spacer. I was on a tighter budget then.

I already have a 3G alt (130amp - see mods in sig).

When looking for an electric fan, what CFM should I go for? How much are the Mk 8 or Viper electric fans and what CFM are they?

 

[393Bird]

I bought my Mark VIII fan at a local junk yard for $30 a couple of years ago. The Mark VIII fan is 4,000 to 4,500 CFM, depending on the year. I have no idea on which one mine is, but it cools my 393 stroker with a 3,500 RPM NON Lockup converter with 2 B&M trans coolers mounted in front of the radiator. The engine runs 170-180 degrees, and the trans runs 170-195 depending on traffic and hills. I am using a Summit $180 radiator.

Here is my Mark VIII set up.
http://members.tccoa.com/392bird/markviii.htm

 

[afast93stang]

Thats a nice car 393Bird


Ive been looking and found this on Dallas Mustang.com

Its a Flex Fan Extreme for $239 & pulls 3300CFM and has all of the wiring with it plus a shroud & mounting brackets.

Im wanting to get a fan ASAP because its already hit 100* today in Dallas and driving aournd in traffic with an overheating car and no a/c isnt fun

 

[HISSIN50]

I would want to look at the long term however (i feel your time crunch in the heat however). for that price (though that unit might be wonderful - I have no experience with it), i would (myself) rather get a Junkyard Mk 8 fan and spend all the savings on a variable controller - that thing would be SO awesome in your climate, IMHO!

393, great lookin ride!
Does TCCoA have forums (I have read some of Jerry's articles over there - great stuff!)?

 

[393Bird]

Thanks guys, it is also a FUN car

Yes, TCCoA has a great Forum at http://forums.tccoa.com/index.php?

Jerry is the Man with the late model Ford transmissions.

 

[afast93stang]

If I go with the Mk 8, can I get all of the wiring & relays I need at a local auto parts store to at least get it up and running or will I have to buy everything online and wait for it to get here?

 

[HISSIN50]

Bruce, Thank you. (I am trying to figure out of Mercon V will mix with Mercon since Jerry has said that running MV in AODE's is a good thing. Being able to search your forums will likely yield some answers. ).

Afast, it will depend upon how you wire it up. If wanting a variable controller (i.e. www.DcControl.com ) I would rig it cheaply till you get the controller.

otherwise, if using conventional relays and switchgear, i would get at least a 75 amp Bosch relay (I would actually go heavier duty as those sometimes melt down from the Mk 8 start up load) and the other ancillary stuff.

I would tally all the costs of doing a conventional set up vs the variable controller - the prices might be closer than you think.

There are internet write ups on doing the upgrade (either SmithMonte or Buffhomer have one, IIRC, for example).

good luck.

 

[afast93stang]

So can I get the Bosch Relay (for now) at a loal auto store like Autozone or Oriellys or is that an internet only order?