Electric fans for cooling engine
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 641
Likes: 3
From: Long Island NY
Originally Posted by artvette
Someone was right about there not being enough popcorn for this thread. I just rebuilt and swung my original 454 (30 over) roller cam and rockers and lots of head work with 10.25 compression and A/C back into my 1970. I have a 180 thermostat and a Griffin aluminum radiator rated for 600 hp along with the stock clutch fan and shroud. All possible air leaks have been filled around the shroud and radiator. I'll be firing it within a week or so and if anybody is interested I can post back here what temps the car is running. I had asked Griffin specifically about running an electric push fan in front to augment the stock fan and they said absolutely not to and the temps would be fine.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: Chapel Hill NC
sounds about like what I would expect. The 225 degree actually seems low, and since you probably don't have aluminum heads is fine. The 195 degree in traffic may mean no AC under some circumstances. Have you checked your thermostatic fan clutch, if you have one? Also do you have a seven blade fan?
Another thread answered another question I had about fan control also. It mentioned a tempswitch in the head of a newer engine that was set for 230 degrees. I suspect THAT is the one that controls the electric radiator fan when the engine is off, and stops heat soak. All you care about then is head temp, when the engine is off. So that is where that particular sender needs to be.
Jim
Another thread answered another question I had about fan control also. It mentioned a tempswitch in the head of a newer engine that was set for 230 degrees. I suspect THAT is the one that controls the electric radiator fan when the engine is off, and stops heat soak. All you care about then is head temp, when the engine is off. So that is where that particular sender needs to be.
Jim
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: Chapel Hill NC
Also with the temp switch in the head for when the engine is off; allows the tempsensor (when the engine is running) for the fans to be in the water pump or intake manifold. You are "close enough" to the radiator temp then because of coolant flow.
I ran out of popcorn!!!!!
I ran out of popcorn!!!!!
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 641
Likes: 3
From: Long Island NY
Originally Posted by jbs75
sounds about like what I would expect. The 225 degree actually seems low, and since you probably don't have aluminum heads is fine. The 195 degree in traffic may mean no AC under some circumstances. Have you checked your thermostatic fan clutch, if you have one? Also do you have a seven blade fan?
Another thread answered another question I had about fan control also. It mentioned a tempswitch in the head of a newer engine that was set for 230 degrees. I suspect THAT is the one that controls the electric radiator fan when the engine is off, and stops heat soak. All you care about then is head temp, when the engine is off. So that is where that particular sender needs to be.
Jim
Another thread answered another question I had about fan control also. It mentioned a tempswitch in the head of a newer engine that was set for 230 degrees. I suspect THAT is the one that controls the electric radiator fan when the engine is off, and stops heat soak. All you care about then is head temp, when the engine is off. So that is where that particular sender needs to be.
Jim
Do you think an electric fan would really minimize heat soak when the engine is off and the coolant is not circulating through the radiator? My C4 has two fans, one main which comes on at 227 and the other which runs constant with the a/c. Neither runs with the key off.
I'll tell you what though, I can't stress enough the importance of sealing off any gaps around the radiator.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: Chapel Hill NC
Oh yeah, I found out about the importance of those seals on my 75. Especially the one over the transmission for cabin heat. That one's effect was amazing. Does your main only come on at 227? If so I would think that it might be the heat soak control. You need a lower temp sensor to control running engine operation. Actually the coolant does circulate because the thermostat is wide open, and temperature gradient in the radiator will cause it to circulate slowly. Works on same principle as solar hot water collectors with no pump. One thing though, you can't have any air in the radiator, otherwise no circulation. Good reason to have a working expansion tank.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 641
Likes: 3
From: Long Island NY
Originally Posted by jbs75
Does your main only come on at 227? If so I would think that it might be the heat soak control. You need a lower temp sensor to control running engine operation.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: Chapel Hill NC
Originally Posted by artvette
Yes I have the seven blade fan and the clutch is fine. The 195 temp in traffic was on a 90+ degree day with high humidity and seemed very eager to drop when moving. On a 30 over engine I'd think that was pretty decent. I would almost venture that the temps wouldn't get that much higher with the a/c with this radiator.
Do you think an electric fan would really minimize heat soak when the engine is off and the coolant is not circulating through the radiator? My C4 has two fans, one main which comes on at 227 and the other which runs constant with the a/c. Neither runs with the key off.
I'll tell you what though, I can't stress enough the importance of sealing off any gaps around the radiator.
Do you think an electric fan would really minimize heat soak when the engine is off and the coolant is not circulating through the radiator? My C4 has two fans, one main which comes on at 227 and the other which runs constant with the a/c. Neither runs with the key off.
I'll tell you what though, I can't stress enough the importance of sealing off any gaps around the radiator.
I'm going to go look at a C4 schematic; something doesn't compute in my poor simple mind.
Jim
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