Is this fan good enough?

[Number21]

My truck has an almost new 4 core radiator and a giant 7 blade fan with no clutch. This thing is a huge parasitic drain on my engine and it's dangerous as hell because I don't have a fan shroud.

I want to replace it with electric. Will a single 16" fan like this one be enough?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/230710570278
Or do I need to work out a double fan system with a shroud?

I don't live in a very hot climate or tow with my truck, right now I have trouble keeping it warm.

[bilfman]

With what you have stated, you do not appear to have a heating issue. Also no shroud reduces the cooling capacity of your existing fan. So for the $26 that the ebay costs I would go for it. I have wasted a ton more $$ with trial and error. This seems like a cheap one to try out. Also the 2500cfm is a lot of air, so that fan is pushing on the high side of the electric fan market.

[gchemist]

Living in a cool climate is an advantage. The four core radiator is overkill for cooling. You are better off with a 3 core radiator. A warm engine is more efficient. Since you do have it, keep it. Now just design any cooling around it. Any low efficient fan will be enough with shrould. You can mount it inside a shroud. Read this on how to mount it. http://www.off-road.com/trucks-4x4/p...oject1580.html

For operation, just use a head probe sending unit. If running cool is a problem, use a temperature range of 205 F on and 190 off. You'll get more heat for winter. A good 195 thermostat would be useful too.

[Number21]

Originally Posted by gchemist

For operation, just use a head probe sending unit. If running cool is a problem, use a temperature range of 205 F on and 190 off. You'll get more heat for winter. A good 195 thermostat would be useful too.

Do you think this would be a good sender? 210 on and 195 off.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/310341004040
Where would be a good place to screw it into the block?

I definately like my engine running on the warm side, I just installed a new 195 degree thermostat. I also drive a lot of short trips so the engine never has a chance to get really warm.

[gchemist]

The 210 is really for aluminum engines. You can find 205 and 190 at Painless wiring. Do a search, you may find one cheaper on there. If not try www.jegs.com or www.jcwhitney.com or www.summitracing.com.

A 210 will work. For short trips and distances. You need to heat the oil long enough to burn off moister. The high temp will work for oiling, efficiency and heating in your climate.

[Number21]

Alright...I'll keep looking. Where's a good place to install the sender? Should I tap into my t-stat housing?

[gchemist]

No, the passenger side head has a plug between the 6 and 8 plug. Wire it in with a relay and fuse. The probe will just be a ground to power the relay. Fan power will go through the relay.

You can see the probe relay line on mine from this picture.

[Number21]

Great, thanks for the info! I'm sure that would be a lot more accurate than the radiator probe style...

[Number21]

Originally Posted by gchemist

No, the passenger side head has a plug between the 6 and 8 plug.

Hmmm...I don't think my heads have that hole. They are late 50s "powerpack" heads and don't have bolt holes for accessories either.

Can I use the heater hose port on my water pump? Mine is just plugged, heater hose goes to the radiator. I'm guessing 1/2" pipe threads?

[maskale]

how bought one of these


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevy-V8-Chr...item4ceeabea57

[gchemist]

Yea, but don't get chrome. They have a tendancy to leak. If a head probe is not available, the thermostat is close enough. It would be nice if it was under the thermostat. Check your intake for a plug or port.

[Number21]

Originally Posted by gchemist

Check your intake for a plug or port.

Could I use a pipe Tee from the port for the gauge temp sender on the manifold? My manifold is pretty low on extra ports...

[gchemist]

Yea, you'll need a T to fit both sending units. There is another option. You can add an extra gauge. An aftermarket gauge can trigger the relay ground to power the fans. You can program the on/off temps too. You may be able to use the same probe too.

[Number21]

What about that port on the water pump...is that no good?

Another question: has anybody installed a 16" fan and a 10" fan? Do they both fit? Was thinking about the 10" for extra backup on hot days or if the main fan fails...I don't tow much with this truck but I like to leave my options open.

[donut]

You asked for options, so I'll throw in my 2 cents.

IMO, ditch the big 7 blade fan or get a shroud and clutch for it. The big 7 blade is stock on my 454, smaller 4 blade was stock for my K-20. My K-20 wasn't close to running warm with the little 4 blade, shroud, and stock 3 core rad. This was in SC, far warmer than Maine, where the truck came from.

A trip to the junkyard, or browsing CL could get you hooked up with parts, probably cheaper that just throwing "better" parts at it. Redundancy? I've replaced far more water pumps that failed than fans.

Maybe this is my little rant, dunno. If it comes across as such, sorry. IMO, some of the "upgrades" I see (esp. on a basically stock vehicle) are the equivalent of putting on chrome valve covers. Just because Joe Horsepower touted something on his TV show, doesn't make it "better".

[Number21]

I know what you mean, but I like the idea of being able to turn the fan off entirely when I want to. 90% of my driving is short trips so I never have a chance to get warm, the electric fan would just stay off.

The major reason I want to change it is for gas mileage, not horsepower. I'm doing every little thing I can - even 1mpg is a big difference! (I know, get a honda )

[donut]

I'm not an electric fan whiz, or even close. But you looking to pull fuel economy out of a heavy, 4wd, brick. I personally don't see how an electric is going to get you an extra 1 mpg.

Couple things I do. Skinny tires, proper inflation, good tune and curve. Take driving lessons from grandpa. One that a lot of folks forget, close the windows.

IMO, you get into the secondaries once a week, and whatever savings you get from the electric fan is gone.

I may have already told you to get a Honda, but these short trips that don't even warm up the truck are killing you. (my engine would take about a mile to get to temp) Thought about alternative means? Bicycle, walking, tractor, horseback? All would make your truck mileage look good.

[Number21]

Originally Posted by donut

I'm not an electric fan whiz, or even close. But you looking to pull fuel economy out of a heavy, 4wd, brick. I personally don't see how an electric is going to get you an extra 1 mpg.

Little by little, things are adding up. I was at 8mpg when I got the truck now it's more like 10 after a few mods. I think I can still do better than 10mpg though. I know this is no economy truck but it's what I'll be driving until my wheels fall off....

At 10mpg I almost feel like doing a 454 swap, my mileage can't get much worse...

[grs]

I don't think a fan for $26.95 would be any good. I would just put a shroud on it.