BeCool radiator question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 0
From: Bay City MI.
BeCool radiator question
My 71 LT-1 has a new BeCool radiator w/ twin spal fans, stewart water pump and robert shaw 160 degree stat. My problem is the fans are running almost all of the time around town. On the highway it runs about 190. I have heard two schools of thought, one is low temp stat or no stat because you want the water in and out of the motor as fast as you can. The other is to run a higher stat, 180 to 195 to keep the water in the radiator longer. With the fans running alot I have noticed that my alternator is always charging, can't be good for the battery or alternator? I am a new vette owner and really love the car. Thanks for the help! :confused:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Re: BeCool radiator question (LT1-Tom)
Well, Thats the nature of the beast. You have removed the original fan and the source of cooling air. When you go slow or stop the air movement is nil. The fans naturally have to run to supply any cooling. These things draw a lot of current, thus the high output of the alternator.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,039
Likes: 669
From: FL
Re: BeCool radiator question (LT1-Tom)
OK. Here is my experience. With the stock setup, every time I got over 65 mph, the temp would hit 220 plus. Added the BeCool radiator last year with a 180 thermostat and I have never broken 200.
This year, I added the Spal fans. My primary reason for that was to get rid of the stock shroud for clearance. Now pulling the radiator and fan is a 15 min job. I got my fan kit from BeCool including mounting brackets and wiring harness. It is wired with a thermostat on at 195, off at 175. It will turn on and off in town, on the highway, it won't even turn on usually unless really hot then stays on. However, at speed, the current draw is less due to airflow.
Does it work. This summer I drove cross country in July. CO, KS, MS all over 100 degree days. Cruised at 70 mph plus and never broke 200 on the gage.
Other issues: I run a 180 thermostat. As for the load on the alternator, go to http://www.alternatorparts.com . I got a kit for $24.95 that converted my stock 42 amp alternator to an 85 amp alternator. Took about 45 minutes to do the job.
BTW, alternator is always charging to one extent or another. Won't hurt it one bit.
This year, I added the Spal fans. My primary reason for that was to get rid of the stock shroud for clearance. Now pulling the radiator and fan is a 15 min job. I got my fan kit from BeCool including mounting brackets and wiring harness. It is wired with a thermostat on at 195, off at 175. It will turn on and off in town, on the highway, it won't even turn on usually unless really hot then stays on. However, at speed, the current draw is less due to airflow.
Does it work. This summer I drove cross country in July. CO, KS, MS all over 100 degree days. Cruised at 70 mph plus and never broke 200 on the gage.
Other issues: I run a 180 thermostat. As for the load on the alternator, go to http://www.alternatorparts.com . I got a kit for $24.95 that converted my stock 42 amp alternator to an 85 amp alternator. Took about 45 minutes to do the job.
BTW, alternator is always charging to one extent or another. Won't hurt it one bit.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 8
From: San Jose California
Re: BeCool radiator question (LT1-Tom)
I have a 427 (L88), a Becool radiator, 160 degree Robert Shaw Thermostat, and Spal fans. On the highway it runs at 160 on an 85 degree day like today. My fans only come on at about 190. If I am in traffic, they will stay on much of the time, this is no big deal. They shut off quickly once I am over 30 mph. I don't even have a shroud. This is a car that most people claimed could never be kept cool on the street. They were very wrong!
With 2 10" fans I rarely get over 200 even in traffic. If it does, a third fan kicks in at 205 and the temp really drops to 180 fast. If you are using a shroud, you will not need a third fan. Zwede is using your configuration on an air conditioned big block car to great success.
BeCool radiator and Spal fans do a great job!
Chuck
p.s. I suspect your thermostat is not working properly if you are running 190 on the highway. Was it accidently installed upside down? Your small block should be able to run at least as cool as my big block with the same thermostat.
[Modified by Chuck Harmon, 11:02 PM 8/31/2001]
With 2 10" fans I rarely get over 200 even in traffic. If it does, a third fan kicks in at 205 and the temp really drops to 180 fast. If you are using a shroud, you will not need a third fan. Zwede is using your configuration on an air conditioned big block car to great success.
BeCool radiator and Spal fans do a great job!
Chuck
p.s. I suspect your thermostat is not working properly if you are running 190 on the highway. Was it accidently installed upside down? Your small block should be able to run at least as cool as my big block with the same thermostat.
[Modified by Chuck Harmon, 11:02 PM 8/31/2001]
