BB fans...
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 599
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From: New York
BB fans...
Can u guys tell me which electric fans u are running to cool down them BB's.....I'm still having a slight cooling problem and I think I need more cfm's... Presently I'm using Flex-a-lite's #210....As u guys know it's very tuff finding room in the C-3's......Thanx...Jerrylee///
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
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From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
I am having the radiator-fan package from Dewitt, the fans are a dual 11 in. Spals. the difference between stock and now is more than between day and night!! .. dropped the temp from 210 with A/C off to a 200 with A/C on, and thats in a 90F days, in a 100F+ days, I even wont think of starting the BB at all, and I can easily maintain a 200F all day long and about 210F with A/C on.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
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From: Columbia Missouri
For a single fan on a budget, get a MarkVIII or Taurus fan, and a controller of some kind. If you want dual fans, get a Focus fan, and if you have the budget, get a dual SPAL fan set from DeWitt.
I was planning the Taurus fan, but decided I wanted dual fans. I went with the Focus set, and love it.
I was planning the Taurus fan, but decided I wanted dual fans. I went with the Focus set, and love it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,429
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From: Kingston Ontario
Your brother
I have a Mark 8 fan for $50 plus shipping. I can ship it from the US side this month if your interested. Actually I'll be right down where you live, we're going to Stamford first and then NYC.
Last edited by BB72; Feb 8, 2008 at 08:16 AM.
Race Director
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From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
I assure you that big blocks from the factory did not have overheating problems. If you are overheating with basically stock equipment, something is not functioning properly. Just my 2 cents. 
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I agree. I'm running a stock radiator and clutch fan in my stock 427/390 and have no overheating problems. Unless you are running something radical I would go back to basics before you get heroic with electric fans and all. You may only be masking the underlying problem.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Taylor Michigan
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 929
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From: Marietta GA
Keep in mind, I am not saying that a properly functioning stock cooling system doesn't work, but in stop and go traffic on a hot summer day, even the stock system is challenged and may not be able to keep up.
However, if the engine is overheating on the highway, then I agree cooling fans are not the answer and there is some other problem that needs to be resolved. Could be a slipping belt, collapsing lower radiator hose, improperly working thermostat, corrosion inside the radiator, inadequate airflow over the radiator, a malfunctioning radiator cap, a bad water pump etc.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,505
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From: Butler Pa
I have a '69 which was originally a small block car. My 454 with ~450 hp never has gone above 180f, with the stock clutch fan and the small block radiator. So I would say that if the stock system is in proper working condition, it's not at all challenged.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
I am not sure this is entirely true. I can recall reading articles and other threads (on and off this forum) that indicated that there were warranty issues back in the day with the big blocks overheating. This was one of the reasons that cut outs were made underneath the front of the car to allow more airflow over the radiator.
Keep in mind, I am not saying that a properly functioning stock cooling system doesn't work, but in stop and go traffic on a hot summer day, even the stock system is challenged and may not be able to keep up.
However, if the engine is overheating on the highway, then I agree cooling fans are not the answer and there is some other problem that needs to be resolved. Could be a slipping belt, collapsing lower radiator hose, improperly working thermostat, corrosion inside the radiator, inadequate airflow over the radiator, a malfunctioning radiator cap, a bad water pump etc.
Keep in mind, I am not saying that a properly functioning stock cooling system doesn't work, but in stop and go traffic on a hot summer day, even the stock system is challenged and may not be able to keep up.
However, if the engine is overheating on the highway, then I agree cooling fans are not the answer and there is some other problem that needs to be resolved. Could be a slipping belt, collapsing lower radiator hose, improperly working thermostat, corrosion inside the radiator, inadequate airflow over the radiator, a malfunctioning radiator cap, a bad water pump etc.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,527
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From: East London/SW Essex UK
I agree. I'm running a stock radiator and clutch fan in my stock 427/390 and have no overheating problems. Unless you are running something radical I would go back to basics before you get heroic with electric fans and all. You may only be masking the underlying problem.
I am dubious that the dual fan set-up guys seem to using actually gives any advantage over the stock early BB set-up If the stock unit is in proper working order. Sure the engine runs hot - we cook inside the car - but is it actually overheating?
I have a buddy who went through all this and installed the dual fan set-up in a '73 BB car and all it really did was to stabilise the temperature - not make it any cooler
Perhaps what is really need is more attention to condition of the radiator and sealing of it within front compartment
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,429
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From: Kingston Ontario
The rad is a heat exchanger, the better condition/quality it is the more efficient it is. For those that don't want a fan shroud, the electric route is the only way to go. If you want to keep it stock I would suggest you bring the rad in for checking, make sure all your seals are good between the rad and cradle and rad to shroud. Make sure the shop doesn't paint the rad with heavy paint, that just decreases the efficiency of the heat exchange. There's suppose to be a seal on top of the rad cradle also. I think you said you had a flex fan, is it close to the size of the shroud opening? Is there any obstructions as far as air getting to the rad? Are any of your hoses collapsed ? Do you have an air lock somewhere in the motor, is your thermostat good or low enough? And a major one...is your timing right? That can make it run very hot. Just my .02
Last edited by BB72; Feb 8, 2008 at 01:29 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Taylor Michigan
Stock System
I guess words are not adequate for non-believers. Below is a one owner L88 powered 1968 coupe with 28,000+ miles of hard use with zero heating problems from day one with a original factory stock cooling system. I can also produce several other high HP BB street driven vehicles all with zero issues and they too have factory stock cooling systems. So the arguments of overheating is just opinions with out actual first hand knowledge from new cars. I`m sure I am not the only one as I would never be so fortunate. With my luck if it would have overheating issues, it would have to belong to me,..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
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From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
I've run some very healthy BB's in traffic in hot weather over the years w/o trouble or w/o such which couldn't be readily solved.
Your problem could be anything from among some of those already mentioned to (forgive me if I duplicate any) simply lacking a good seal around the rad or a faulty stat to insufficient timing advance or mal-adjusted carb A/F mix (always check the ignition first), to bearings put up too tight, a bad rad core, or to an undersized cooling capacity. Note that the last one usually only becomes an issue with substantially hopped up mills it everything else is in order. Also, excessive oil pressures can aggravate the situation.
Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; Feb 8, 2008 at 02:58 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Forked River NJ
Oh No. You are all wrong. That was an option box that got checked. The overheating BB option. With AC it was a mandatory option.
I agree go back to the basics and get the problem solved before trying to mask it with electric fans.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
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From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
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From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
I cant believe the stock cooling system of a BB with A/C will be sufficient in a hot 95-100F day at all. When I had my stock cooling system, it was really battling to keep the engine below 210F and the A/C was off all the time, I wouldn't dare to switch it on at all!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: New York
Right now my temps are ok hanging around the 190/200 mark..It's just that about an hour into the ride they gradually climb up pushing close to 220....Plus the temps are only in the 40's outside..The warm weather didn't even get here yet.....
Last edited by jerrylee; Feb 8, 2008 at 07:16 PM.