MALIBU Fan tastic

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Dezimade

Greasemonkey
Sep 22, 2021
172
23
18
Boston Ma.
electric or fan. Super confused. I got a high end cold case in her now.
I need advice. Dez
 

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Dayzedandkonfuzed

G-Body Guru
Feb 9, 2010
971
1,268
93
Anglemont, BC
Depends on your setup. Most electric fans are not recommended for 4 core rads as they work too hard to pull through and can't deliver the CFMs. But they look much cleaner. If you're building something extreme that's gonna go over 7k rpm's often, an electric is likely the safer option than a mechanical, but definitely make sure to spend some coin and get a good one.

I've used a few different electric fans, none of them high end by any means, but today I swear by a mechanical fan with an HD or SD fan clutch. Never, ever an issue aside from the chance of the thermostat on the clutch failing, but you have just as much chance of that as an electric motor failing. Keeps my big block pegged at 160-170 even in 35 degree weather. Sorry, thats about 95 freedom degrees.

And if you're going electric. FAN SHROUD, FAN SHROUD, FAN SHROUD. Not just the dinky thing that comes with some of them, something that will funnel the air through the entire rad.
 
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airboatgreg

Comic Book Super Hero
Oct 2, 2016
2,863
3,112
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Depends on your setup. Most electric fans are not recommended for 4 core rads as they work too hard to pull through and can't deliver the CFMs. But they look much cleaner. If you're building something extreme that's gonna go over 7k rpm's often, an electric is likely the safer option than a mechanical, but definitely make sure to spend some coin and get a good one.

I've used a few different electric fans, none of them high end by any means, but today I swear by a mechanical fan with an HD or SD fan clutch. Never, ever an issue aside from the chance of the thermostat on the clutch failing, but you have just as much chance of that as an electric motor failing. Keeps my big block pegged at 160-170 even in 35 degree weather. Sorry, thats about 95 freedom degrees.

And if you're going electric. FAN SHROUD, FAN SHROUD, FAN SHROUD. Not just the dinky thing that comes with some of them, something that will funnel the air through the entire rad.
Good advice. I use a AC Delco thermostatic fan clutch
 
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Longroof79

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
G-Body of the Month
Oct 14, 2008
12,156
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Gainesville, Fl
I'm also a proponent of the mechanical clutch fan. I use a Hayden clutch and 7-blade fan.
* correction- I said 6-blade, but it's a 7 blade.
 
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Dezimade

Greasemonkey
Sep 22, 2021
172
23
18
Boston Ma.
Depends on your setup. Most electric fans are not recommended for 4 core rads as they work too hard to pull through and can't deliver the CFMs. But they look much cleaner. If you're building something extreme that's gonna go over 7k rpm's often, an electric is likely the safer option than a mechanical, but definitely make sure to spend some coin and get a good one.

I've used a few different electric fans, none of them high end by any means, but today I swear by a mechanical fan with an HD or SD fan clutch. Never, ever an issue aside from the chance of the thermostat on the clutch failing, but you have just as much chance of that as an electric motor failing. Keeps my big block pegged at 160-170 even in 35 degree weather. Sorry, thats about 95 freedom degrees.

And if you're going electric. FAN SHROUD, FAN SHROUD, FAN SHROUD. Not just the dinky thing that comes with some of them, something that will funnel the air through the entire rad.
Great information. Thanks
 
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Rt Jam

G-Body Guru
Mar 30, 2020
579
558
93
Ontario Canada
A reason to go electric fan. No power loss from the belt to drive a mechanical fan. There will be a minor draw from the load on alternator but with a proper fan controller, the fan is ONLY on when the car is stopped, going slow or AC is running.

Pretty much every new car or truck has an electric fan.
 
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Dezimade

Greasemonkey
Sep 22, 2021
172
23
18
Boston Ma.
A reason to go electric fan. No power loss from the belt to drive a mechanical fan. There will be a minor draw from the load on alternator but with a proper fan controller, the fan is ONLY on when the car is stopped, going slow or AC is running.

Pretty much every new car or truck has an electric fan.
Thanks boss !!
 

Longroof79

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
G-Body of the Month
Oct 14, 2008
12,156
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113
Gainesville, Fl
Hey! Me too!
It may be old school technology but still applicable today. It certainly worked well back in the day.

* I meant to say 7-blade fan instead of 6.
 
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