Radiator's Electric Fan

[RM Art]

Radiator's Electric Fan

Have still running OEM electric fan on radiator. Not sure it always comes on at appropriate times. There is also a good condition clutch fan on 454 motor.

Thinking about putting on new electric fan for summer trip over desert areas.

Heard there are some super duper air-movers for new fans.

Suggestions??

Thanks,

Art

[TonyMac]

Rather than the expense of the new fan, how about putting a switch on your still running electrical fan? It usually runs off a temp sensor on the passenger side of the engine block, turning on at like 220 and off at 200. You could put a switch and a relay on so you can switch it on and off. Word of caution: That fan SUX power, more than your alternator puts out. Don't turn it on and leave it on or you will brown out. I know, I did it with my '89 454 HR AlumaLite. Freaked me out.

[NW_Al]

On my P30 chassis, that is fan for the A/C and only comes on when A/C is switched on.

[RM Art]

Originally Posted by TonyMac

Rather than the expense of the new fan, how about putting a switch on your still running electrical fan? It usually runs off a temp sensor on the passenger side of the engine block, turning on at like 220 and off at 200. You could put a switch and a relay on so you can switch it on and off. Word of caution: That fan SUX power, more than your alternator puts out. Don't turn it on and leave it on or you will brown out. I know, I did it with my '89 454 HR AlumaLite. Freaked me out.

Good idea!

[RM Art]

Originally Posted by NW_Al

On my P30 chassis, that is fan for the A/C and only comes on when A/C is switched on.

That may be same with ours. I'll check. Thanks!

Still thinking of bigger fan with sensor that also turns on when engine reached 220 +/- and turns off at 205 +/-.

Wondering if there is better fan than this original.

[Rick Morgan]

Originally Posted by RM Art

Good idea!

On my old Superior MH with a 440 Dodge it would run hot while moving around & parking in the campground after a long run, Added a fan to the front of the radiator with a switch on the dash & solved the problem!

[garys 68]

First thought, if it works, don't fix it.
If you replace it with an ebay or auto parts fan, most cheap ones are junk, they don't move much air. You can gauge their capacity by amperage rating.
My preference is an OEM fan. Reasonably priced, move A LOT of air, and available everywhere. They do draw a lot of amperage, so you may have to upgrade your wiring. Dodge neons come to mind in a lot of engine swaps.
Check to see how the current one is actuated. If it's by AC, it's probably through a trinary switch. You could add a temp sensor to trigger the relay too, what I do.

[RM Art]

Thanks for info Everyone!

I've been looking at fans in "Classic Industries" Chevrolet GMC Truck Catalog... that my mechanic handed me.

Not in a big rush and will suss things out before making any move.

Seems that a heat sensor on the engine as well as off/on direct line toggle switch on dash would be smart to have with any fan.

I'll probably hook up those two activation items to the orig fan now in place and go from there. First one hooked in will be direct line toggle. The simplest and most assuredly effective if I feel need for the fan to be pushing air.

It's not that the engine is overheating... cause it's not... so far. Then again I've only driven Sweetie some 130 +/- miles and not in real hot weather, on real hot blacktop.

We shall see!!!

[D Gardiner]

To RM Art,
Definitely looked familiar and OEM. Went to check ours, and it appears GM may have used different suppliers, or different sized fans for various chassis weights. For you to compare, ours measures 19" tall.

The fan engages around 205+ degrees in heavy traffic, A/C on or off. My step-dad did add an auxiliary fan override, (in picture) under the hood. I do plan on moving that switch to the dash board. He also added a fan to the transmission cooler, which is operated by a dash mounted switch. That fan is 10 1/2" wide, and does drop the trans temp in stop and go traffic quickly.

[RescueRamsey]

By far the best electric fans are made by spall. Google them to find somewhere to order. I warn you now they are expensive, but well worth the extra money. The amount of air that they move compared to a generic brand is insane. I have 2 on my off-road car, and if you were to look around at most of the serious, purpose built off-road vehicles use them, play cars and race vehicles as well. Having remote mount radiators there is no mechanical fan and these keep it cool.

[garys 68]

Pretty much what I did. See post 62.
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f65/my-ne...-323427-5.html

[RM Art]

Looking into Spall fans.

This eve started RV and let engine get fully warmed up... for being in idle that is, while parked in lower yard area. Electric fan did not come on.

Hit AC for 10 minutes - fan did not come on.

Temp gauge never went over 210 degrees [normal running temp].

I do know that the fan has come on before when using the vehicle. Will keep close eye on current OEM fan circumstances.

[RickNC]

Originally Posted by RM Art

Looking into Spall fans.

This eve started RV and let engine get fully warmed up... for being in idle that is, while parked in lower yard area. Electric fan did not come on.

Hit AC for 10 minutes - fan did not come on.

Temp gauge never went over 210 degrees [normal running temp].

I do know that the fan has come on before when using the vehicle. Will keep close eye on current OEM fan circumstances.

The OEM electric fan on mine is set to come on when the refrigerant pressure reaches a certain level (high heat and poor heat dissipation= high pressure) The pressure switch is likely at the A/C drier. Fan is also switched on when the engine coolant reaches ~220 degrees. On the a/c you will notice a decrease in cooling performance before the fan comes on. I added an additional switch and relay to manually control the fan to keep the a/c performing at it's best on hot days and keep engine temps down in the 205-210 range.

[RM Art]

Originally Posted by RickNC

The OEM electric fan on mine is set to come on when the refrigerant pressure reaches a certain level (high heat and poor heat dissipation= high pressure) The pressure switch is likely at the A/C drier. Fan is also switched on when the engine coolant reaches ~220 degrees. On the a/c you will notice a decrease in cooling performance before the fan comes on. I added an additional switch and relay to manually control the fan to keep the a/c performing at it's best on hot days and keep engine temps down in the 205-210 range.

I too will add the manual toggle switch to fan!