I have a 1976 corvette which has an engine driven fan on it. I want to install a spreader bar on the car...the one vette brakes and products sells. They sell an unwelded one which you need to weld up yourself (they said it is designed for those who have engine driven fans and want to use a spreader bar). They also sell a welded unit which is designed for those who have electric fans. I'm going to have to decide whether I want to convert to an electric fan or stay with the engine driven fan.

What are the advantages of an electric fan? What are some of the disadvantages of an electric fan? How much would it cost me to convert to an electric fan? Anyone with pics of their spreader bars installed (both people with electric driven fans and those who stayed with thier engine driven fans)?

 

The only disadvantage I can think of is you might need an updated modern alternator with a higher output to maintain a healthy charging system with the addition of that fan.

In most cases, an electric, or even a pair of electrics will always cool better than a mechanical fan.

 

if you are happy with the current cooling system, then just fab brackets for the spreader bar. if/when you decide to go to electric fans, make or purchase new brackets (make sure the bar is same length); unless sneezing abt 1k is no prob . . .

 

I like electric fans because I can set the engine temperature with them. I can cruise at 195 or so without a fan running, cool it down to 180 for a little more performance driving and by keeping them off the motor warms up quicker. I have 2 electrics and both are on seperate switches so I have the option of one or 2 or none.

 

An important benefit of an engine driven fan is it will always be on when your engine is on. Yes it robs some hp but it will never fail. It pulls a lot of air but you won't have to worry about a controller or temp sensor failing.

If you are willing to rewire things and trust a controller then electric is the way to go. You just have to keep a close eye on the temp gauge and have a few spare parts in your car incase your on the road and something happens. Electric can pull more air depending on which fan/s you go with. You free up some HP but do need to upgrade the alternator as Durango said. And like Norval said you can program them many different ways to suit your driving needs.

I have a stock radiator and a Mark VIII fan with DC controller. Haven't hooked them up yet, that is on my list for the next two weeks. I also have the VBP prewelded spreader bar.
I would be very nervous about running a spreader bar with a mech fan b/c god for bid something happens as your driving and you get into a front end collision and that fan hits the spreader bar. It would be messy and cause much more damage.
Just my $0.02. Your also looking to spend more money for an electric conversion, if you have the funds, time and knowledge electric is the way to go.

 

bump

 

I would like to see some pictures of the spreader bar with mechanical fan too. What's the difference in the way they are mounted. Do you have to raise the bar with mechanical fan to clear the fan? I'm having blurred vision (and I'm not even drinking beer and working on car . . .yet)

 

Actually with a mechanical fan the bar goes UNDER the fan, between the fan and the water pump pulley. It's a VERY tight fit.

 

It is tight but it can be done.

Here is a link to some more pics.
http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...t=DSCN0040.jpg

 

Also, how much room do you gain in the engine compartment with an electric fan? How much would it cost to convert to an electric fan...I still haven't got a complete answer yet. I don't want to spend thousands of dollars, so how can I go electric without putting a hole in my wallet?

 

Well, you can get a used Lincoln MarkVIII fan, or a Taurus fan for around $50. New ones are around $100. Controllers range from $35 to $135 and all you need to mount the fan is some angle aluminum, fasteners, some wiring, and if you choose to make your own controllers you just need a relay and a switch.

Total project would not cost more than $300, and more realistically around $100 if you budgeted it right.

 

You can easily do an electric conversion for $150 to $300 if you got a little skill fabbing simple brackets and some very minor electrical fab. It ain't rocket science. You will gain a Huge amount of room by doing this, basically everything from the front of the waterpump pulley to a couple inches back from the radiator.
Big advantage with electric is that in traffic you still have very good cooling. I can't think of any real disadvantages, if you run duals you got backup.

 

So if I am converting to an electric fan, I should be getting the prewelded spreader bar from vette brakes and products right? Also, is there a coupon code for us members to get a discount price on orders?

 

Whew . . . that is close. Looks like you have the same fan that I do. Good info and pics.

 

You can still order the kit that you weld yourself. That would give you the freedom to put it where you want depending on your fan style or size and any other differences from your engine bay to what they make their bar for.