Quote:
Originally Posted by barraza
I used the new radiator and fans for several reasons. First, my radiator is original, 50 years old and has been repaired several times. Second, the new fans are controlled by the ecu, they run at whatever speed the ECU thinks they need to, from a gentle breeze to a hurricane. They also respond to AC pressures. They fit the 72 radiator support with some minimal cutting that cant be seen when installed. And the whole setup is cheap.
For the power steering i switched to the ZL1/CTS-V balancer to get a larger and wider pulley on the crank. My L86 vacuum pump used a 3rib pulley on the crank that was only about 3” in diameter. Most PS pumps are designed to run a little faster than crank speed, which meant i would need a very small PS pump pulley, about 2.5-2.75”. When i built mine, I couldn’t find any pulleys that small except alternator pulleys, which are designed to be be held on by the nut, not pressed like a PS pump. I built it and it worked, but poorly at idle. It also looked like a weak point because my truck is 4x4 with wide and heavy 35” tires. The zl1 balancer let me use a bigger pulley with a wider belt to run the PS, and the other pulleys are in the right place to run the other accessories in the factory location. Keep in mind that these engines idle at very low rpm, so the PS pump needs to have the proper ratio to give good performance at idle, especially if you have big tires.
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All really great upgrades for your application. Gee I wish we had met years ago because I would have saved you a lot of hassle as I went though similar building my '56. The original engine was a 11.5:1CR so not enough vacuum to run PB so I installed a Hydraboost with a Wilwood MC back before it was the thing to do. I had the same problem with finding the proper sized pulley and found a source with both V belt and Serpentine style. The system worked great. Now that I have the Supercharged motor in I still kept the system because basically it just plan works and stops that 4500# barn on a dime with 9cents change.
Regarding the Radiator, good news is mine was replaced by the PO. Yep I will be installing dual 12" fans either Spal or Derali since I have great experience with both. I am looking for the maximum CFM I can get. The only variable will be if I just buy a premade shroud or if my son has time in his schedule to make me one or I have the time to go to his metal fab shop to fabricate one. Regarding fan controllers I spoke with Tony at PSI and they use the Dakota Digital to interface with the ECU to handle the either full hurricane mode or reduced speed or single fan whisper breeze speed. I have a three year old version of the Dakota Digital in my '56 and it works flawlessly so I am comfortable with this. My Supercharged 719HP '56 runs at 180-195 degrees even under load in 100 degree days. The highest temp I have seen was returning from Formosa Raceway on a 108 degree day with the AC blasting at boost it got up to 225 but quickly dropped back down to under 200 when the fans hit full tilt boogie. I run a large cross flow dual pass PRC Aluminum radiator on it. Thank you so much for all your advise and help. I can't wait to have this build done.