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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Rockwall, TX
Posts: 26
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Vintage Air--Mechanical or Electric Fan
Is anyone out there with a Vintage Air kit running a stock mechanical fan? I ask because I just installed my kit and I have random screeches coming from the compressor. I'm thinking that maybe I don't have enough air moving across the condenser. Everything is brand new and the system is not overcharged. I'm just wondering if it's possible to run this system without converting to electric fans.
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#2 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: apple valley, ca
Posts: 2,670
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Re: Vintage Air--Mechanical or Electric Fan
I prefer a stock clutch fan with 7 blades for maximum cooling. Research has proven that a proper clutch fan with outflow an electric set-up. Some guys don't like the sound of a clutch fan, which makes more noise at lower speeds, especially with the heavy duty clutch units. Electric units are much quieter, and can be controlled thermostatically. Both methods will do the job, but if you're looking for max flow, I recommend the clutch fan. Just remember, a clutch fan won't work to it's full potential unless you run a shroud. Very important!
I like keeping it simple, and using stuff that is readily available at any parts store. You never know when you're going to break down, and after a couple of times with wazoo super-trick parts (and I have...), you realize that the stock stuff works pretty darn good.
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: pleasant valley--placerville ca
Posts: 3,039
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Re: Vintage Air--Mechanical or Electric Fan
I had V/Air in my 56 Nomad with a BB and a mech fan. I had to put two 10" fans in front of the condenser. to much heat at idle in the system ,and would do the same as you are saying. Air speed at idle is the main problem.
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1961 chevy K10 my build is------------61K10 build |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Rockwall, TX
Posts: 26
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Re: Vintage Air--Mechanical or Electric Fan
Thanks for the replies.
Chevyrestoguy: I am running the factory shroud. Did your 7 bladed fan just come from Autozone, O'reillys, etc? 61K10: So did you run BOTH the mechanical and the twin electric fans? Were the electric fans run from trinary switch? Thanks again for your help! |
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#5 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: apple valley, ca
Posts: 2,670
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Re: Vintage Air--Mechanical or Electric Fan
I got mine from a wrecking yard. I am using a complete serpentine set-up from an '89 half ton truck, and I grabbed the fan as well. The water pumps spin backwards on those, so I needed the fan with the reverse pitch blades.
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Portland
Posts: 1,330
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Re: Vintage Air--Mechanical or Electric Fan
How much driving do you do at low speeds and in traffic? The problem with a mechanical fan is that it's tied to engine speed, so when you're sitting in traffic at idle you're not moving very much air. But at the same time you're still wanting to be comfortable, so the AC is cranked on taking the same power to turn.
I prefer Electric fans because they operate independently of the engine, can be controlled as needed, and won't hack off my hand when working on a running engine ![]() |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Rockwall, TX
Posts: 26
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Re: Vintage Air--Mechanical or Electric Fan
I probably only spend 10% of my time at highway speeds, so comfort at low speeds and idle are pretty important to me. Every time the compressor screeches, it grates on my last nerve, so I'm looking for a solution where that never occurs. I don't know if keeping the mechanical fan and just adding supplemental fan/fans for just the condenser is the best solution or going all electric would be best. I'm not particularly opposed to either method, I just want the most "optimum" solution. Thanks for everyone's help!
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Anderson, Texas
Posts: 535
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Re: Vintage Air--Mechanical or Electric Fan
your compressor should not be screeching......something is wroung
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Rockwall, TX
Posts: 26
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Re: Vintage Air--Mechanical or Electric Fan
Brokenspoke: What kind of fan setup are you running with your VA system?
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: WNC
Posts: 226
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Re: Vintage Air--Mechanical or Electric Fan
Could it be belt squeal... Or need compressor oil?
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`63 C-10 Shortwide Roller 305 LT1 cam, Eddy 500 T5 |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Rockwall, TX
Posts: 26
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Re: Vintage Air--Mechanical or Electric Fan
Definitely not belt squeal or oil. I'm 99% sure it's an airflow problem, I'm just not sure of the best way to solve it.
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#12 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: southeasternfoothillsofusa
Posts: 1,557
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![]() Quote:
After ensuring a proper shroud around mechanical fan, why not just add 1 pusher fan out front for the idling and slow-traffic in town, controlling initially with an under-dash switch? May be all you need--if so, convert under dash switch to thermost control. Sam |
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#13 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: southeasternfoothillsofusa
Posts: 1,557
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Sam |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Rockwall, TX
Posts: 26
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Re: Vintage Air--Mechanical or Electric Fan
Thanks Sam, it's definitely not belt squeal, you can tell it's an internal compressor sound like there is high head pressure. I AM running the factory shroud with all of the seals installed around the radiator. I'm wondering whether converting the straight mechanical fan to a clutch/fan combo would make a significant difference along with the electric pusher out front.
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Chatsworth, CA
Posts: 30
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Re: Vintage Air--Mechanical or Electric Fan
I recently installed VA in my 66 GMC and am running the mechanical clutch fan and shroud with no problem. Mine screeches every so often, when cold, due to the belts loosening and stretching. Tightening the belt on the compressor solves the screeching problem for me.
If yours is not the belt, and it's coming from the compressor, it sounds like there is a problem with the compressor itself.
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Rob 1966 GMC 1500 |
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#16 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: southeasternfoothillsofusa
Posts: 1,557
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![]() Quote:
With the sound coming from inside the compressor, definitely contact Vintage Air. Agree with 'sixysixss' here. Sam Last edited by luvbowties; 08-05-2015 at 12:39 PM. |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Rockwall, TX
Posts: 26
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Re: Vintage Air--Mechanical or Electric Fan
I'm actually running a 5-blade solid-mount fan. This might not be right, but I was told that the advantage of a clutch driven fan was that at high speeds, the fan slows down because the air rushing through the radiator can actually flow better without the fan turning as fast(because of turbulence). At idle, I was told that it would turn at normal speed.
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#18 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Long Beach, CA
Posts: 1,813
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Re: Vintage Air--Mechanical or Electric Fan
I believe most ac compressors or positive displacement type units. Operating in a closed systen I dont see how they would intermittently squeal unless there was a seal issue or metal to metal contacy. I would have guessed that when the system is loaded and the clutch clicks from off to on you get a little chirp. But then again, I've not actually heard it happen.
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Jason M. @argonaut62 1972 K5 Blazer CST, Turquoise 1966 K20 Short Fleet Pickup, Big Ugly 1964 C10 Short Fleet, Gertrude 2001 Porsche 911 Carrera 1996 Ford Bronco XLT 1980 Jeep Wagoneer 2008 Honda CBR1000RR 2005 Honda RC51 1981 Honda CB750C No dis-assemble Johnny Five! No dis-assemble! |
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: pleasant valley--placerville ca
Posts: 3,039
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Re: Vintage Air--Mechanical or Electric Fan
back to mine it was belt squeal and i was running a after-market serpentine system. to much pressure and the belt would slip on the compressor pulley. I had a b-cool cross flow and finally put a b-cool duel elect. fan and shroud, probably your best bet?
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1961 chevy K10 my build is------------61K10 build |
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#20 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Long Beach, CA
Posts: 1,813
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Re: Vintage Air--Mechanical or Electric Fan
The key is to run a thermal clutch. These have a bi-metallic coil on front that changes the engagement of the clutch. When hot the coil turns and the clutch provides a ratio closer to 1:1. It is important to know what clutch youve installed. Severe duty types typically have more heat sensing surface area and also provide a hot ratio of 1:1 where as many stock or heavy duty are only make to spin at 60-70% of the shaft speed. I find a good clutch, good 7 blade fan and the correct water pump pulley diameter can provide plenty of cooling. But again, this is just my experience on my pickups, one small block and one big block.
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Jason M. @argonaut62 1972 K5 Blazer CST, Turquoise 1966 K20 Short Fleet Pickup, Big Ugly 1964 C10 Short Fleet, Gertrude 2001 Porsche 911 Carrera 1996 Ford Bronco XLT 1980 Jeep Wagoneer 2008 Honda CBR1000RR 2005 Honda RC51 1981 Honda CB750C No dis-assemble Johnny Five! No dis-assemble! |
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Burbank, CA
Posts: 3,611
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Re: Vintage Air--Mechanical or Electric Fan
If you decide to switch to a electric fan you will need to contact Vintage Air. One of the parts that comes with the kit (I can't remember which one) is specific for electric fan or mechanical fan.
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#22 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: southeasternfoothillsofusa
Posts: 1,557
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Sam. |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Anderson, Texas
Posts: 535
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Re: Vintage Air--Mechanical or Electric Fan
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Chatsworth, CA
Posts: 30
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Re: Vintage Air--Mechanical or Electric Fan
I'm still not sure how changing the fan, or changing from mechanical to electric fan, is going to solve your problem if it is not belt related. I recommend you call VA and explain what is going on and see if they can help.
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Rob 1966 GMC 1500 |
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#25 |
Senior Enthusiast
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Spokane Valley, WA
Posts: 8,356
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Re: Vintage Air--Mechanical or Electric Fan
I'm running the VA knee freezer with a Champion aluminum 3 core radiator and a dual Spal electric fan. I have the sensor set to turn the fan on at 185 and the engine normally runs at 175 so the fan rarely comes on unless the ambient is in the 90's.
I did have a screeching Old Air system many years ago that screeched so loud I gave up on it. Many years later I was advised it was likely a bent shaft on the compressor motor itself making the screeching noise.
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