aluminum fans


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By NewPunkRKR - 18 Years Ago
Anyone have an opinion regarding using a new 6 blade aluminum fan (like a perma-cool or flex-a-lite)?  My car stayed nice and cool last year while driving, but when it comes to parade driving or woodward style crusin' the temp sky rockets. 

Also, I've got a mechanical auto meter water temp gauge that i have yet to install because the tap for the stock sensor is too small.  Anyone know of an adapter for this, or should I just try to tap another hole?  If I should put another hole whats a good location... in front of the carb by the stat housing?

P.S.  Just finished adjusting the valve lash using the thread from april, and it was WAY easier than i thought it would be.  I have a feeling that was my "tick" problem.  Some of them were over .030" of spacing... 

Thanks guys!

- John

By MoonShadow - 18 Years Ago
Are you near Dearborn? I'm thinking about doing the Telegraph Cruise this year. My daughter lives there. Chuck in NH
By NewPunkRKR - 18 Years Ago
Naw, I live north of chicago... However my buddy from college grew up just outside of Detriot, so I've gone the last 4 years.  Last year I drove the fairlane out there, first long trip, it was pretty wild!

- John

By GREENBIRD56 - 18 Years Ago
The only bad comment I've heard about the flex fans - they don't work very well in a truck pulling a heavy trailer (especially where we used to live in the mountains). If it has to hunker down and pull hard at a slow forward speed and high engine speed (low gear / low range) - the fan flattens out and doesn't do what you need done. Which is move a lot of air.

The stainless blades don't have a very "period appearance" so I hunted down a six blade, fixed pitch outfit for the Bird...(Speedway Motors).

Be sure to find a shroud and use it - fan efficiency is very dependent on "capturing" the air at the tips of the blades and pulling some suction on the radiator. 

By Hoosier Hurricane - 18 Years Ago
Rocker:

Have you considered an electric fan to use for parades and cruising?  You could simply wire it to t switch under the dash and turn it on when you need it.

If you are going to tap a hole for the mechanical gauge, why not tap the existing hole to the size you need.  If you are going to keep the original gauge working, right behind the thermostat on the intake is a good place for an added gauge.

John

By NewPunkRKR - 18 Years Ago
I have tossed around the idea of the electric fan, but wasn't sure on the cost to effective ratio.  I didn't want to spend $100 on a fan it wasn't going to do any benefit.  I'm thinking maybe a 12" 1200 CFM at 6 amps???  Would that be a decent bump at low engine/driving speeds? 

As far as the temp gauge, I figure since the original is there I'd like to have it functional (even if I'm not really using it).  there is something about a "dead spot" on the dash that bothers me.  I just want to add the second gauge to have something alittle more visually accurate, so I'll look at adding a second hole.  I'm not so concerned about looking original because my 14"x9" hole in the hood with the intake sticking out kinda throws that out the window  Hehe

Thanks! - john

P.S. I first read that post and was wondering who this "Rocker" guy was that he was responding too. 

By Hoosier Hurricane - 18 Years Ago
Guess I misread your "handle".  I took it to mean New Punk Rocker.  Am I wrong?  Sorry if I am.

John

By NewPunkRKR - 18 Years Ago
John,

Yeah, that is what it stands for.  The name is left over from when I was heavily involved the recording industry, so I've just always used it as a handle.  But I forget that it's there.  HA!

- John

By MoonShadow - 18 Years Ago
You can run the origional at the water neck and put the new one at the back of the block (hole in the head for earlier apps). Might be interesting to monitor the difference. I was under the impression that the back of the head was often the hotest point. I think that water enters the block througn the thermostat and exits at the bottom of the block. Could be wrong (big whoops) though. Chuck in NH
By Hoosier Hurricane - 18 Years Ago
Chuck:

I hate to put water on your fire (pun intended), but the water flows backwards from what you said.  Goes into the front of the block, up through the heads to the intake, past the thermostat, to the top radiator  hose.  While on the subject, I have something else to share.  I have seen many blocks with casting flash covering a large portion of the two 1" holes in the front of the block, behind the timing cover, where the water goes into the block.  I always take a die grinder and wheel and make sure those holes are fully open.  Maybe this is why some guys have overheating problems, some don't, in the same car series. 

John

By MoonShadow - 18 Years Ago
Ok, so whats new?Blush Chuck
By pegleg - 18 Years Ago
Chuck,

   To remember what John said, heat rises, correct? WinkSo it makes sense that the coldest water will be at the bottom of the radiatorHehe The bottom hose provides water to the water pump which pushes it into the engine. the thermostsat acts like a choke allowing the water into the Rad, or out of the engine when it gets warm enough to open the t'stat.Smile  

By rgrove - 18 Years Ago
NewPunkRKR (6/10/2007)
Naw, I live north of chicago...

- John

 

How far north of chicago?  Im up in the northwest suburbs, around hawthorn woods/mundelein/wauconda.  Anywhere near there?

By NewPunkRKR - 18 Years Ago
yeah - Lake Forest, not far at all

- John

By 55Birdman - 18 Years Ago
You can get a 6 bladed fixed pitch fan from any of the t-bird supply houses NPD,Casco,Larrys to name a few. I lived in Dallas texas and the heat is totally unbearable at times the fan kept my bird cool when I drove it there. Stop n go driving is a way of life there and the fan worked very well . I had an electric on it but that didnt do as good as I hoped so I switched and have been cool ever since. BigGrin  Earl 55birdman