Mechanical fan options?

[gent00l]

I'm thinking of going with a mechanical fan on my vette rad with A/C. The engine is in the default position, but the rad and condensor are in the forward position. What kind of fan can I put in there? Where would I get one? I think I have around 4 inches between the water pump and rad (I'll have to measure more precisely tonight). I'm just curious what people are using besides electric fans, and where they got them. Thanks.

[Melonhead]

Gent001, the only thing I can remember that is thin enough is the Vortec V8 set up. The serpentine system and the reverse cooling water pump all togther for a great combination. This is an install that is available on the web. (http://users.apex2000.net/whardie/cooling.html) This may answer some of your questions on space limitations. http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif

[stroker1]

On 2007-08-07 13:01, Melonhead wrote:

Gent001, the only thing I can remember that is thin enough is the Vortec V8 set up. The serpentine system and the reverse cooling water pump all togther for a great combination. This is an install that is available on the web. (http://users.apex2000.net/whardie/cooling.html) This may answer some of your questions on space limitations. http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif

When you say reverse cooling you mean reverse rotation and not reverse flow. Correct?? That could be a little misleading. Just wondering about that 'cause I never knew a vortec was reverse flow. I am assuming you meant reverse rotation.



Stroker1 http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_confused.gif

[grim_reaper888]

i used the 4.3 liter setup off my 91 s10. had to trim the fan alittle. but it works well.

[adh383]

You have plenty of space to put electric fans---- I have corvette radiator in forward pos. 1 12 in. fan 1 10 in. fan. pullers summit

[Melonhead]

On 2007-08-07 14:05, stroker1 wrote:

<!-- BBCode Quote Start --><TABLE BORDER=5 bordercolor= ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-5>Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-10><BLOCKQUOTE>

On 2007-08-07 13:01, Melonhead wrote:

Gent001, the only thing I can remember that is thin enough is the Vortec V8 set up. The serpentine system and the reverse cooling water pump all togther for a great combination. This is an install that is available on the web. (http://users.apex2000.net/whardie/cooling.html) This may answer some of your questions on space limitations. http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif

</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE><!-- BBCode Quote End -->When you say reverse cooling you mean reverse rotation and not reverse flow. Correct?? That could be a little misleading. Just wondering about that 'cause I never knew a vortec was reverse flow. I am assuming you meant reverse rotation.



Stroker1 http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_confused.gif





Stroker1, The 4.3 and the V8 Vortec setups on the serpentine are reversed flow and rotation. The fan spins backward from crank rotation from old school way. This in short is the heads get cooled first and the block last. The cooling system hooks up the same, just works better. http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif

[Melonhead]

Stroker1, I stand corrected. The years from 88 - 95 have the reverse flow. The 96 and up Vortecs have standard rotation. I know the two setups I have now are reversed flow, one from a 92 4.3 and the other from a 94 4.3. http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_eek.gif

[gent00l]

I have all of the accessories from my 95 serp. belt system, with the reverse flow water pump. I still have the clutch fan, but I was under the impression that it wouldn't work. How does the clutch know when to engage the fan???



I have two crappy 10" fans behind the rad right now that are wired directly to the ignition. Only problem is I'm not using a relay. Sure I could buy some nice expensive electric fans, but I thought I might as well use a mechanical one since they cool better, and are less wiring and seem like less of a pain in the arse.

[grim_reaper888]

that big round deal on the end of the fan (clutch). is heat activated i beleive. the hotter the clutch get the tighter it locks on the fan causing it to spin faster. that way when you are cruising down the road and its not hot, the fan is just idleing not using any power.

hope this helps.

[gent00l]

So the fan clutch is basically sensing the heat coming off of the rad?



Would you say a mechanical fan without a shroud is better than a crappy electrical fan with a shroud?

[adh383]

My 2 electric pullers work much better than the manual clutch fan i had no shroud with either---- 205 degrees yesterday--it was 98 degrees here--in town------- 190 degrees at 55 mph.

[gent00l]

That doesn't make sense to me, doesn't a mechanical fan spin faster and pull more air through the rad then an electric one? Was it because your mechanical fan wasn't as close to the rad as your electric one maybe?

[adh383]

Like I said--- didnt have a shroud on mech fan--- about 4 inches from radiator-- went to electric because of power robbing mech fan-- I use the 12 inch fan all the time--it is on when i turn the key on-- the 10 inch fan is on a switch-- only use it when i am in traffic= works great-- 205 in slow traffic max. with mech fan ran 220 in traffic.

[Ryoung68]

a fan shroud is pretty much a necessity mechanical or eletric fans. Have a look at my pictures there are some of the corvette radiator w/ AC condensor and the engine driven fan. The clutch fan senses radiator heat, if the radiator is cool the fan slips and spins slower than the engine. As the radiator heats up the clutch tightens up and spins faster. At slower engine RPM the fan will not spin faster than the engine. Electric fans will spin the same speed or variable depending on your setup based on coolant temp.