Overheating with Electric Fan
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
Overheating with Electric Fan
I recently purchased a Perma-Cool Fan 14in fan for my Vette. I didn't really think this was enough, but the CFM rating was 2950. I guess I don't have enough surface area covered on my radiator. Anyway, it overheats everytime you stab the throttle. Summit said I could send it back, so I need to see what fan I need to get. I would really like to get some duals that are strong enough where I can get rid of my ugly fan shroud. Dewitts has a really nice set-up, but I can't afford it. I really can't spend more than about $250. Any ideas? I still have my stock radiator, so maybe I could go to Aluminum, but I would still likely have to keep my fan shroud.
Thanks in advance,
Jay
Thanks in advance,
Jay
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 9,662
Likes: 7
From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Overheating with Electric Fan (TeenagerWith74Vette)
Check around and see if you can find a shroud and fan setup from a late model F-Body Camaro or Firebird. Several guys have installed these for less than $200.00, It will take a little triming to fit around the upper control arms, but it shouldn't be too hard of an installation. Check with http://www.Corvettefaq.com there are a couple of write-ups with pictures there.
Of course as you said the best alternative is the DeWitts twin Spal, but if you are short on cash, then the F-Body fans will do the job.
Of course as you said the best alternative is the DeWitts twin Spal, but if you are short on cash, then the F-Body fans will do the job.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,046
Likes: 675
From: FL
Re: Overheating with Electric Fan (TeenagerWith74Vette)
Dual Spal fans here. They work great.
IMHO, you obviously have built yourself a very serious engine combo. It would be a shame to overheat and ruin a major investment by trying to save a few $$ on a cheap fan.
It is common for people to upgrade the motor without paying attention to the support systems. They then pay the price when the motor overheats and does itself some major damage.
IMHO, you obviously have built yourself a very serious engine combo. It would be a shame to overheat and ruin a major investment by trying to save a few $$ on a cheap fan.
It is common for people to upgrade the motor without paying attention to the support systems. They then pay the price when the motor overheats and does itself some major damage.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
Re: Overheating with Electric Fan (SteveG75)
Will the dual Spal's keep me cool with my stock radiator, and no shroud. I really need to get something done. I'm itching to get back to the track, but I have to get my cooling problem fixed. I really want to get down the track with my new 4.11s and slicks!
Jay
Jay
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
Re: Overheating with Electric Fan (TeenagerWith74Vette)
Looks like you have done a lot to your engine. But this still begs a questions, what have you done for the radiator? Have you had it professionally tanked? The reason I ask is that I'm running a 16" single electric fan on and old 1970 350 engine in need of a rebuild yet still won't crack 180 degrees even at wot. I have had the radiator cleaned along with new hoses etc.... its the original 3 core radiator that looks older than my old grandmother, but it works great! Also, do you have the seals and airdam in place?
Regards,
Jim
Regards,
Jim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,563
Likes: 2
Re: Overheating with Electric Fan (TeenagerWith74Vette)
Had the same fan on the 502- it lasted 3 days! Try the dual SPAL's-works for me............
:yesnod: :chevy :chevy :yesnod:
P.S.
All the motor work in the world isn't worth a nickel if you can't run it reliably.
:yesnod: :chevy :chevy :yesnod:
P.S.
All the motor work in the world isn't worth a nickel if you can't run it reliably.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 625
Likes: 0
From: The Villages FL
Re: Overheating with Electric Fan (TeenagerWith74Vette)
You can also use 90-96 Corvette dual fans that can be found at practically any corvette swap meet. Additionally, all the parts are available if you need a new fan motor.
Spike
Spike
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
Re: Overheating with Electric Fan (TeenagerWith74Vette)
steveg75 is right on target here. The cooling system is no place to scrimp out. That said, I might have a solution for you. The typical 2 row (1.0" tube) aluminum radiator runs $495. I happened to have a demo HP series (1.25" tubes) that we painted for testing purposes. It is a 73-76 radiator but it's a manual transmission, no tranny cooler. You could use this radiator and a separate transcooler, your tranny would appreciate it as this is a much better idea anyway. I'd sell this guy for $400. Griffin model 6574AF-BXX. My first recommendation is to spend the money on the radiator first, then the other stuff later. A good radiator is the foundation, then you build on that.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 787
Likes: 1
From: Toronto Ontario
Re: Overheating with Electric Fan (TeenagerWith74Vette)
If you dont mine spending the money, I installed Dual Flex a Lite fans on my 454, and they are coolng the Monster no problems. They are a sweet looking set-up, very easy to install.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 5
From: Lake Villa IL
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Overheating with Electric Fan (TeenagerWith74Vette)
I wouldn't run out and spend too much money, just yet. Make sure what you have is truly broken. It's like Jim said: Are your seals in good shape? Are you sure your thermostat is working? Do you have air in the system? When was the last time you flushed the cooling system? What about your water pump and fan belt? Check all these things first, because it's cheap. And it's silly not too. Once you're sure all this is okay, then go looking for other, more expensive solutions. I had overheating problems too. And I was so eager to drive my car, I nearly threw down big bucks for a quick (but not guaranteed) solution. Then I took a deep breath, and I went on a mission to find out what was really wrong. A whole bunch of the above stuff was the source of my cooling problems. Then, after a new pump, long bleeding session, and discovering my BRAND NEW thermostat was garbage, I solved my overheating issues.
Good luck with it.
Good luck with it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
Re: Overheating with Electric Fan (joeveto)
I just put in a 160* thermostat, but I haven't tried it yet. I don't think my Perma-Cool will cut it. All of my seals look good, and I have a new waterpump. A fellow CF Member offered a Flex-A-Lite for sale. I think I'm gonna take him up on that. I would love to get Tom's stuff. But I don't have the cash! It's expensive to have a low 12 second daily driver Vette!
Jay
Jay
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 1
From: Wylie TX
Re: Overheating with Electric Fan (TeenagerWith74Vette)
I'm running the Flex-a-lite dual 12" fans with a Griffin Universal (31x19, 2 row 1.25" tubes). I bought the fans used and the rad new from Summit for $260. I put them in in Oct of last year, so I don't know how it will stand up in the Dallas heat, but even 70* weather requires about 5 -10 min of sitting in traffic to get the fans to come on.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
Re: Overheating with Electric Fan (Chris A)
I'm thinking of buying the Flex-A-Lite dual fans from a CF member. But, they won't fit without removing my Fan Shroud. What do ya'll think about that? The Flex-A-Lite has dual 12in fans and the measurements are 22x14x4. I think the fans would work great, but will I get enough air when I remove the shroud? I would love to get rid of that ugly thing! Thnks for your input.
Jay
Jay
Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
From: FL
Re: Overheating with Electric Fan (TeenagerWith74Vette)
I still have my stock radiator, so maybe I could go to Aluminum
I have a Flex-A-Lite Black Magic M150 single fan mounted inside my stock shroud. It has its own little shroud with a rubber lip that squishes up against the radiator to make sure the air flows through, not around.
Pictured here is my stock shroud, with the top cut away (to fit my TPI hardware above) and the original '82 aux fan inside. The Flex-A-Lite Black Magic assembly is off to the right. It just barely fit inside the stock shroud.
-Noel
[Modified by Noel Carboni, 2:05 AM 4/9/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 1
From: Wylie TX
Re: Overheating with Electric Fan (Noel Carboni)
The flex-a-lite dula 12" fans have a built in shroud so you are supposed to ditch the stock shroud.
I'll again point out that the universal Griffin radiator fits my '69 with very little modification and cost about $260. From what I've found, this radiator has the same 1.25" tubes that the $500 Corvette specific rads have.
I'll again point out that the universal Griffin radiator fits my '69 with very little modification and cost about $260. From what I've found, this radiator has the same 1.25" tubes that the $500 Corvette specific rads have.
