Mechanical fan upgrade
- Thread starter foxtrot
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DONE!!!
This may be the single best upgrade that I've made - thx!
I can actually keep this thing cool now under all conditions..
I have electric fans on my Monte and some spares here for the Regal but I am still curious as to what temps you were running before and in what conditions and how much this 4 blade has improved cooling and also since this is mounted with a spacer instead of a clutch is it noisier since it does not free wheel?
Another question for anyone that might know is will this rob horsepower at higher rpm's.
To start with, my engine always ran warm and that type of engine is know for running warm. I'll leave it at that as far as the engine - so this isn't a case of an engine issue..
Anyways the engine would always run in the range of 200 to 227 degrees Fahrenheit in mixed driving conditions even though I have a 180 degree thermostat. It's almost like there was always some sort of temperature stack up that would build up over time. This condition existed even though I have an HD aluminum radiator & closed impeller water pump installed. With the new fan installed, I couldn't get the temp over 180 degrees today (close to 90 degree outside). I call that a GREAT result. To boot - I picked up a NOS 405442 cooling fan for a great deal..
I'm greatful for the 405442 fan tip!
Anyways the engine would always run in the range of 200 to 227 degrees Fahrenheit in mixed driving conditions even though I have a 180 degree thermostat. It's almost like there was always some sort of temperature stack up that would build up over time. This condition existed even though I have an HD aluminum radiator & closed impeller water pump installed. With the new fan installed, I couldn't get the temp over 180 degrees today (close to 90 degree outside). I call that a GREAT result. To boot - I picked up a NOS 405442 cooling fan for a great deal..
I'm greatful for the 405442 fan tip!
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I assume that you're still using a fan shroud, correct?
I always thought running a multiblade clutch fan (7-blade in my case) was the ticket for an air conditioned car, but for those impressive temps, I may also consider going that route. However, I have no problems in the cooling dept.
Who would've known?
I always thought running a multiblade clutch fan (7-blade in my case) was the ticket for an air conditioned car, but for those impressive temps, I may also consider going that route. However, I have no problems in the cooling dept.
Who would've known?
Yes - still using the shroud, no reason to remove it. The Old school mechanical fan is the way to go for me since my car is just a basic Olds powered gbody.
Typically a 7-blade clutch fan is the way to cool air conditioned gbody's.. Cooling in general is all about the CFM's that a fan can pull - that's why I was asking bout CFM's earlier in this thread.
The mechanical fan will rob a small amount of horsepower at higher RPM but would onlly be noticed on a dyno I'm guessing. Mechanical fans & electric fans both have pros and cons..
With a mechanical fan, the gas engine is driving the fan directly from the energy derrived from the combustion process which has an efficiency (some loss) associated with it.
With an electric fan there is one more energy conversion with the alternator (some loss) but I'm guessing that the horsepower curve from the engine is 'smoother' compared to the mechanical fan.
With this said, I like the mechanical fan for my gbody due to the simplicity. Although I could wire up a relay & temp sensor in a short amount of time (if my alternator system wasn't so anemic).
Awesome to hear that Frank. I think that 7 blade didn't work like it should on my 403 because of the under drive pulleys. It worked great on the Olds powered 4x4 along with the Champion rad that was marginal in my G body. With a 195 thermostat, it stayed right there. I will have to measure the fan on the 70, sure looks the same.
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