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For sealing all the way around. Use dense rubber foam and cut to fit. This is important! No gaps or holes, because they reduce the efficiency of the fan.
I did this for $80 and even the motors are replaceable at any auto parts store.
I think you're missing something that causing your problems. I live in FL too and have had 6 or so Vettes, 1 big block with a/c,, and have never had an overheating problem.
On yours, be sure to check for leaks around the rad weather/sealing stripping, the air dam, and the fan shroud. You want as much air as possible being forced thru the rad. Also, of course, be sure your rad is flowing coolant properly and not clogged up and that the rad cap is holding pressure. If all these items are up to snuff, and assuming your engine is operating properly, re water pump, timing, etc., you should be okay.
This thread is someone wanting electric fans...
I'm not missing it, I have owned too many vettes here and some creeped some didnt, nothing "wrong" with my cars in the way you suggest,
I like electric fans over the engine driven fans you do not...
I have a fairly new stock radiator. I'm looking at the electric fan set up at Corvette Central. Is that the best way to go?
Part #243247
After using slightly undersized flex-a-lite dual fans for 12-years i upgraded to a flex-a-lite black magic 3300 cfm single fan... highest cfm i could find short of the mythical Lincoln Mark IV fan.
The old flex-a-lite dual fans were the FLX-210 model - the dual 210 fans are rated at 2500-cfm and as mentioned marginally kept the 383 under control - I did not like finding myself locked in heavy traffic in the summer.
So far the blackmagic appears to be getting the job done... Turned out to be a good fit in height and width. And i like the controller that starts fan operation at 50% power and ramps up to 100% as needed.
I'm liking that set of dual fans below for $169... assuming they have enough cfm...
Last edited by Carl in LA; Feb 8, 2015 at 08:18 PM.
Reason: Added note about flex-a-lite dual fans model number...
Enough to keep the car under 200 degrees. Focus and Taurus fans are a popular upgrade too.
I wish someone knew and cared, It's fun to slap a part on and hope it works but geez I can't help desiring more tech than "it works for me"
a fan made to cool a lopo 6 is going to cool my mild 454 in all situations? Does it clear a spreader bar on a bb?
I was using the Taurus 2 speed fan the shroud is just gross and leaves too much core open
I can't comment if it cooled well because the condition of the radiator is not known.
I wish someone knew and cared, It's fun to slap a part on and hope it works but geez I can't help desiring more tech than "it works for me"
a fan made to cool a lopo 6 is going to cool my mild 454 in all situations? Does it clear a spreader bar on a bb?
I was using the Taurus 2 speed fan the shroud is just gross and leaves too much core open
I can't comment if it cooled well because the condition of the radiator is not known.
Go with what works for you. Don't know the CFM, only the results. Best of luck in your search!
This thread is someone wanting electric fans...
I'm not missing it, I have owned too many vettes here and some creeped some didnt, nothing "wrong" with my cars in the way you suggest,
I like electric fans over the engine driven fans you do not...
Sorry, just trying to be helpful. Thought this is what this forum is about.
Sorry, I missed this. You have two options . Manual switches, or use a BMW dual temp sensor in the intake, but you have to find an adaptor for the metric to standard thread. Then you'd use two regular automotive relays to kick them on. I'll get you more details later on at the shop.
Sorry, just trying to be helpful. Thought this is what this forum is about.
It's all good, no worries, my tone was meant to be lighthearted I didn't want it taken snarky...
I took your other post to me as more assuming a lot about my situation which I never went into, and trying to push the stock set up in a thread about electric fans.
While all your points about stock cooling systems are correct and in that your were helpful this is also 45 plus yo cooling tech, where you are lucky with your 6 vettes some guys are not so lucky even with everything purist correct some of these cars were marginal in cooling from the factory,
Why do you think even GM had extra cooling packages, because in some cases stock wasn't enough, one of my 81's came with an extra fan but it needed a lower temp switch.
The stock engine driven fan is very parasitic in robbing power, almost anyone who swaps in an electric fan will report better revving, the stock engine driven fan and shroud have to be set up just right even 1/4" off could be the difference between cooling and overheating,
I have no interest in purist correct so I have no interest fighting the stock set up to be installed correctly, set up correctly etc, but I fully support it for anyone who desires it, hence how I addressed you in my last reply, it's just not for me,
bschuus, as promised, here's the serp belt thread, but also includes the fan install and the relays. The only caveat is, I haven't switched from the Volvo relay (for single dual speed fans, not a dual fan), yet, so using manual switch until I install the regular automotive relays like this one: The fan was a perfect fit over an aluminum radiator.
This is a similar dual fan set up that summit sells under their name. This one is Flex-o-lite and it was about $300 including the adjustable thermostat. It fits like factory installed and if you have a non AC car, it works great as a pusher fan in front of the radiator. It lays in perfect.
This is a similar dual fan set up that summit sells under their name. This one is Flex-o-lite and it was about $300 including the adjustable thermostat. It fits like factory installed and if you have a non AC car, it works great as a pusher fan in front of the radiator. It lays in perfect.
Do you recall which model number flex-a-lite?
I have noticed that many fans are made by one company but get other names or no names when sold.
When I checked into the electric fan set-up, I was told that it takes the same or less horse power to run the original set up ( Clutch Fan ), than using the alt. using up H.P. running the electric fans. Also I was told that the alt. needs to be up graded (higher amp. output ) to supply enough currant to run the electric fans as well. Any one know of these findings. Lots of different opinions on this I guess. I decided to leave well enough alone, since I purchased a new clutch from Eaton less than a thousand miles ago. Gene
When I checked into the electric fan set-up, I was told that it takes the same or less horse power to run the original set up ( Clutch Fan ), than using the alt. using up H.P. running the electric fans. Also I was told that the alt. needs to be up graded (higher amp. output ) to supply enough currant to run the electric fans as well. Any one know of these findings. Lots of different opinions on this I guess. I decided to leave well enough alone, since I purchased a new clutch from Eaton less than a thousand miles ago. Gene
Not wanting to set up any debate on electric or mechanical.
Yes, anytime you add electrical equipment you have to ensure you have the needed capacity. The larger and/or higher airflow, the more current.
Most who would add a large capacity electric fan would also add alternator capacity. In my case I was adding several electrical items and added a much larger alternator.
When I checked into the electric fan set-up, I was told that it takes the same or less horse power to run the original set up ( Clutch Fan ), than using the alt. using up H.P. running the electric fans. Also I was told that the alt. needs to be up graded (higher amp. output ) to supply enough currant to run the electric fans as well. Any one know of these findings. Lots of different opinions on this I guess. I decided to leave well enough alone, since I purchased a new clutch from Eaton less than a thousand miles ago. Gene
Just jking with you..
You are correct lots of opinions on this subject and while you are correct that if someone upgrades to a high amp alt then it just might take the same and I will add perhaps more hp to turn it,
However, with these old cars in stock form the alt were a bit on the anemic side, I know they "Do the job" but some people are not into antique bone stock they do upgrades and mods, better stereos, lighting, etc they need more amps, in most cases a modern stock 100 amp + - alt will do fine with an electric fan set up, it worked in both my 66 and 69, but when my 69 comes back I will get an even larger alt, because I will have lots of gadgets draining the juice,
But if a fellow has a great working stock set up why fix something that isn't broken, I'm not pushing electric fans on anyone....
Just jking with you..