Electric fans in front of the radiator

[379redneck]

I just took out my a/c condenser and oil cooler and now theres a lot of room between my radiator and grille. I was wondering if putting electric fans between there would help cool the engine better. I dont have any cooling problems right now that I know of, I didnt get to fire up the new engine yet. Im proboly leaving the condenser and oil cooler out since neither one are hooked up and look like they are in pretty rough shape.

[tucsonjwt]

Most here will disagree with this, but I think electric fans are not necessary and just consume more hp. If you use an OEM GM or Delco water pump and replace the other cooling components with good parts you will not have an overheating problem. I did that on my BB 83 and have no cooling problems even though I live in HotZona.

[379redneck]

I just bought a new radiator for it, since that was the original cause of the engine swap. I was just wondering since there is a lot of open spacer there now. I have a stock gm water pump and fan on it. Im going to change the thermostat wen I get more money. I also thought about getting one of the aftermaket fans to replace the stock fan with. One of the bolt in ones so it will still be the mechanical type, but if I wont get anything out of it im not going to waste the money so I can have a pretty blue fan.

[tucsonjwt]

All of the radiator and A/C guys I talked to recommend a genuine Delco fan clutch on the stock fan, so that is what I would stick with -pricey, about $115+ I think, but worth it. A local mechanic here uses Delco clutches even on other brands of vehicles because he thinks they are the best clutch available.

[78 Chevyrado]

I wouldn't bother with it until you had a cooling problem, and then I'd want to know why what you have now isn't working correctly.

I'd pick one, E-fan or stocker. shouldn't need both.

[85Bowtie]

If you don't have any overheating problems why would you mess with it? Leave the stock fan, and shroud, in place

[379redneck]

I was just curious. I know that cooler usualy is better so I thought id ask.
Thanks

[Your41Plague12]

Cooler is only better if you're overheating. A typical sbc will run most efficiently at about 180 degrees or so.

[donut]

IMO, keep the stock setup. Take the saved $, change thermostat and take wife/GF out to dinner and/or a movie.

Sometimes it's not just about keeping your truck cool....

[379redneck]

Ok I will leave them out. My old motor ran probobly around 180, I cant remember right now, it was a lot cooler than a lot of other trucks so im not gonna mess with it.

Your41Plague12, I LOVE that truck!!!!!

[njlimbaugh]

I've mentioned this several time on several forums but I'll repeat it here. A fan only helps cool below about 15 MPH. At highway speeds it does nothing which is why some fans have clutches. A stock fan robs the engine of a few horsepower which is why, back in the fifties, we took them off completely and had no problems unless driving in parades or fighting rush hour traffic.

[notyo_cheez]

If you opt to reinstall your a/c (if you are me in south TX you don't want to be without it, naturally) a pusher fan on the condenser helps especially if you do a R-134A retrofit. Food for thought...

Had a flex fan on a '69 Toronado 455, aside from being a little noisy it worked okay for me. Previous owner installed it.

[Hazieview]

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

Most here will disagree with this, but I think electric fans are not necessary and just consume more hp. If you use an OEM GM or Delco water pump and replace the other cooling components with good parts you will not have an overheating problem. I did that on my BB 83 and have no cooling problems even though I live in HotZona.

How do electric fans consume horsepower???

They run off of a battery.

Clutch fans take a small amount of HP but electric fans???

Just curious...
Posted via Mobile Device

[cscttmllr]

Hello all, new here so correct me as needed. I am interested in this topic as I am debating an electric fan myself? Have 81 Chevy K10 with 350 with a flex fan mounted w/o fan clutch. I mostly use it on the farm and idle around often checking fences etc.. I understood that would pick up a few HP with electric fan? maybe little better throttle response? Have plans for a 400HP ish Patriot or blueprint motor in near future.

What I am reading here is that I would not be happier with an electric fan?

Was considering Jegs 2200 CFM fan with 185 on 175 off wiring kit. about $150.

[taank]

I have dual 14's with a 4 row when it's a hundred out it runs at 180. When it's cooler. 160. If you wire it nice it looks way better and cleans things up. And it's much more efficient than than old mechanical fan
Posted via Mobile Device

[Your41Plague12]

Originally Posted by 379redneck

Ok I will leave them out. My old motor ran probobly around 180, I cant remember right now, it was a lot cooler than a lot of other trucks so im not gonna mess with it.

Your41Plague12, I LOVE that truck!!!!!

Thanks! I'm thinking of going with an electric setup on mine just so I can gain some HP back as well as remove the shroud, freeing up some room.

[chevy_skills]

Just my 2 cents here. Electric fans dont use any HP just frees up a little. They are great for Mudding trucks because you can turn them off with a kill switch unlike a clutch fan. They give you a lot more clearance If you choose to buy a low profile one. Most kits are easy to wire in.

As for adding a pusher with having a clutched puller Id wait tell you find out if you even need it.

When installing If it comes with one of the little push into the radiator thermometers make sure you put it near the inlet not the outlet of the radiators.

As for your old oil cooler If you do decide you want to use it be sure you get it flushed.

[379redneck]

Im probobly not going to reuse the oil cooler, it hasnt been hooked up in years and I took the stuff the old motor and put on the new one so I dont have the lines for it. Finally got the truck running good and its stayin around the same temp as my old one, so I wont be needing anything extra for it. Thanks for the input