Fan shroud advice please
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: magnolia ms
Fan shroud advice please
Im in the middle of changing to all new radiator, water pump, hoses, belts, thermostat, and all required gaskets. My question is: It was a nightmare taking the shroud out (im not mechanicly inclined) The shroud was cut up anyway by previous owner. I need to know do I need the fan shroud and the electric fan (it never worked) Or will I be ok with a better flex fan and no electric fan or shroud. I cant afford the new shroud and dont realy want to put this one back in. Thank you for any help that you might can give me.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Freeport FL
The advice I have gotten is to get a Ford Taurus fan. I found a brand new one, including shroud, on EBay for $35 +$15 shipping. I'll let you know how well it fits when it gets here in a day or two, if you would like.
Thread Starter
Instructor
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From: magnolia ms
yeah ok I realy dont want to use either one I just wanted a fan not electric with no shroud by all means please let me know about the tauras fan If I have to go that route. I realy realy dont want fan shroud HA HA
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
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unfortunately, unless you live in northern canadian wintertime all year, you probably wont be able to get reliable cooling with no shroud and a mechanical fan. the mechanical fan simply wont pull air THROUGH the radiator without the shroud.
unfortunately for all of us, the C3 cooling system is comparatively fussy. it takes good sealing and careful airflow management to effectively cool these cars.
unfortunately for all of us, the C3 cooling system is comparatively fussy. it takes good sealing and careful airflow management to effectively cool these cars.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,429
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From: Tucson AZ
I use a Lincoln Mark VIII electric fan with no problems. The Taurus fan is not the same as the Lincoln. The Lincoln also fits right over my 69 radiator with only a small bit of the radiator that's not covered by it.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Freeport FL
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/RADIA...QQcmdZViewItem
Dimensions are 17 X 23 X 5 which I think will cover my radiator well. More pictures here:
http://www.broncoii4x4.com/taurus-fa...taurus-fan.php
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,305
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From: Lewisburg WV
thegazman
I just installed an electric fan in my 79, L82 and eliminated the shroud and stock electric fan. I used a Flexalite 220. It works great and looks good. It draws 20 amps. I used the switched power to the original fan to trigger my new Flexalite fan relay.
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Advanced
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From: SK
And if you drive the vette in winter up here u earn a
P.S. Winter lows dip below -40C (-50F) with regularity, bring your brass monkeys.
Last edited by Canuck Stingray; Dec 28, 2008 at 05:39 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
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From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
Shrouds
79,
You NEED a fan shroud. Every other car in the world has its radiator mounted vertically and they work best this way. Of course the C3 had to be different. Starting from the front, you need the chin spoiler to direct air up towards the radiator. Then you need a full set of operating seals to stop the air from going around, over and under the radiator.
Then you need a fan, which is circular, to pull the air through a rectangular radiator core. The only way to do this properly is with a shroud. The standard belt driven fan is OK, but it makes a lot of noise and sucks horsepower that would otherwise go to the wheels.
Every modern car made recently has an electric fan or two and there is only one reason - they work better!. They do this so that they can make a smaller radiator which costs less, weighs less, is smaller, etc. Blame the beancounters.
Either take the advice given and use a Ford fan ( let's face it, the fans are not MADE by Ford, but by an outside company that makes fans and puts a Ford sticker on it - just remove the sticker! ) or buy a DeWitts or similar one.
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
8 months to go
You NEED a fan shroud. Every other car in the world has its radiator mounted vertically and they work best this way. Of course the C3 had to be different. Starting from the front, you need the chin spoiler to direct air up towards the radiator. Then you need a full set of operating seals to stop the air from going around, over and under the radiator.
Then you need a fan, which is circular, to pull the air through a rectangular radiator core. The only way to do this properly is with a shroud. The standard belt driven fan is OK, but it makes a lot of noise and sucks horsepower that would otherwise go to the wheels.
Every modern car made recently has an electric fan or two and there is only one reason - they work better!. They do this so that they can make a smaller radiator which costs less, weighs less, is smaller, etc. Blame the beancounters.
Either take the advice given and use a Ford fan ( let's face it, the fans are not MADE by Ford, but by an outside company that makes fans and puts a Ford sticker on it - just remove the sticker! ) or buy a DeWitts or similar one.
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
8 months to go
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: magnolia ms
Thanks guys I found the flexlite fan and Its seems too pricey for me right now. I should have explained better and sorry for not but my fan shroud is very damaged and using an electric is ok I just didnt want to buy the new shroud. The fan in the old shroud never worked and I never had it over heat without it. The taurus fan sounds like my best bet cause a new fan shroud is $350.00 and the flexlite electrics are $215.00 so with a little more I could have the new shroud. Im going to use a belt driven fan any way because I know it robs horsepower but it does help cool. Im sorry for the confusion Thank you for you time.
Last edited by 79_L82; Dec 28, 2008 at 05:57 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Glen Allen, VA
The factory electric fan on a 79 was for backup puposes only. I have heard that it is set to come on at 238 degrees, so I'm not surprised it doesn't come on. On my 79 L-82, I'm running the factory mechanical and electric fan. The mechanical fan does fine 99% of the time, the electric one isn't even hooked up. To me getting the shroud out on a 79 is no problem at all. The trick I think is to take the radiator out first. That is not easy and requires 2 people, then the shroud comes right out. Some people will argue they can remove a radiator by themselves, but to me it's not worth it to try- too much risk of damaging something.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: magnolia ms
The factory electric fan on a 79 was for backup puposes only. I have heard that it is set to come on at 238 degrees, so I'm not surprised it doesn't come on. On my 79 L-82, I'm running the factory mechanical and electric fan. The mechanical fan does fine 99% of the time, the electric one isn't even hooked up. To me getting the shroud out on a 79 is no problem at all. The trick I think is to take the radiator out first. That is not easy and requires 2 people, then the shroud comes right out. Some people will argue they can remove a radiator by themselves, but to me it's not worth it to try- too much risk of damaging something.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Haymarket VA
I have a 69 firebird that I put a strong 350 in. I first tried using the stock radiator (2 core didn't expect it to last) with a new electric fan no shroud. No go. Then bought an 4 core equivalent aluminum one with the electric fan. No go. Added a shroud and still nothing. Finally, I took the shroud off and used the belt driven fan with success. I didn't want to give up the horsepower and just dealt with not driving it when it was suppose to be a really hot day. The electric fans just don't seem to do that much unless they fit the radiator perfectly whereas I have play with the mechanical ones?
I understand that our radiators are tilted so this might not apply. It always seems to me that the mechanical fans always move more air - at least they sound like they are. Does anyone know what the cfm rating for a 71 vette mechanical fan is?
I understand that our radiators are tilted so this might not apply. It always seems to me that the mechanical fans always move more air - at least they sound like they are. Does anyone know what the cfm rating for a 71 vette mechanical fan is?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 2
From: Lewisburg WV
thegazman
Look at flexalite fans on e-bay. The flexalite fan has a rubber seal that fits around the radiator acting like a shroud. Also the model 220 just fit my 79 L-82. Electric fans housings can be designed as a shroud.
Contact Durango Boy. He installed a used ford fan in his Vette which maybbe you could get cheap. DB could even tell you how to wire it. He's a good guy and always willing to help.
Contact Durango Boy. He installed a used ford fan in his Vette which maybbe you could get cheap. DB could even tell you how to wire it. He's a good guy and always willing to help.
Last edited by thegazman; Dec 29, 2008 at 10:35 PM. Reason: additional info.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 541
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From: Freeport FL
He is the one that turned me on to the Taurus fan, and some other stuff. A stand-up guy in my book.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 541
Likes: 1
From: Freeport FL
The factory electric fan on a 79 was for backup puposes only. I have heard that it is set to come on at 238 degrees, so I'm not surprised it doesn't come on. On my 79 L-82, I'm running the factory mechanical and electric fan. The mechanical fan does fine 99% of the time, the electric one isn't even hooked up. To me getting the shroud out on a 79 is no problem at all. The trick I think is to take the radiator out first. That is not easy and requires 2 people, then the shroud comes right out. Some people will argue they can remove a radiator by themselves, but to me it's not worth it to try- too much risk of damaging something.
Regarding shroud removal, mine was cut in half by the PO, which made removing it a breeze. Top half comes out the top, then you have room to remove the bottom half.
Last edited by Droshki; Dec 30, 2008 at 09:54 AM.
Safety Car
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From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
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think of the shroud like a funnel,
It is a lot easier to pour water thru a funnel into a tight small hole,
and it is very efficent, 0 flow loss,
now pour water without a funnel, into a tight small hole,
not very easy and you suffer from lots of lost flow,
for any fan to work properly you need a shroud !
69VETT
It is a lot easier to pour water thru a funnel into a tight small hole,
and it is very efficent, 0 flow loss,
now pour water without a funnel, into a tight small hole,
not very easy and you suffer from lots of lost flow,
for any fan to work properly you need a shroud !
69VETT
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
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From: Glen Allen, VA
Droshki, I should have clarified. As I understand it, only L-82's with air had the electric fan, and it was intended only as a backup. It is mounted in the shroud so it's on the back side as a puller fan. If I get a chance tonight, I'll snap a picture of mine.
Melting Slicks
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From: Arkansas