RE: [Chevelle-List] Electric Fan set up versus Clutch Fan set up

Wed, 29 Jan 2003 16:30:45 -0800

The 406 in my '70 runs fine with just a single electric fan from a late-80s Buick LeSabre.  I don't have A/C, but even on humid 90 degree days (which doesnt seem possible after snow blowing my driveway today!) it doesn't go over 200 in traffic.  I'm in Ohio, not Arizona.  I've never left my car idling for 15+ minutes to test it, but I've never had an overheating problem while driving the car either.
 
The aftermarket electric fans are rather pricey, IMO.  I think I paid $25 for my fan.  Whether you buy aftermarket units or junkyard units, you're still going to have to make some mounting brackets.  I made mine from small (3/4 or 1" wide) aluminum that I got at the hardware store.  I bent them with my vice and bolted them to the piece that goes over the top of the radiator.  After painting them black, it's a clean looking installation.  The most important thing is to keep the fans mounted close enough to the radiator so that they are properly shrouded, otherwise they won't pull the air through the radiator-- the air will otherwise just flow through the gap between the fan and the radiator.  Proper shrouding is important for either setup.  For what it's worth, I mounted my fan offset to the driver's side. 
 
I would recommend using a relay to power the fan(s).
 
With twin 11" electrics, I'm fairly certain you could safely eliminate the clutch fan.  You'll need some shorter studs or bolts (or spacers) for the water pump pulley if you decide to eliminate the clutch fan.
 
You originally asked which was better:  it depends what you want.  My Chevelle uses an electric fan because  a) it had no shroud for the clutch fan when I bought it b) It's handy for drag racing (to cool down between runs)  and c) I like the cleaner look without the big fan/shroud.  My El Camino uses the stock clutch fan for the simple reason that it was on the car and it works fine for a mostly stock driver (350).  In the book about swapping a V8 into an S-10 by JTR, they stress that clutch fans are more efficient and more desirable, given the choice.
 
As for most modern cars having electric fans, it's for the simple reason that most engines are mounted transversly and therefore no place to really run a mechanical fan.  They do allow for better engine compartment packaging on RWD cars, especially when you have a low hood line.
 
.-Dave
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Ken's Email
Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2003 11:52 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [Chevelle-List] Dale: Electric Fan set up versus Clutch Fan set up

Duh: I meant puller fans, i.e., twin spal 11 inch fans mounted inside the engine bay and on the inside of the radiator, not on the outside. With this set up you would eliminate the clutch fan. You would have two spal fans with built in shrouds. This should fit in the 67 Chevelle Malibu, right ?

Thanks,

Ken

 Dale McIntosh <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

Ken,
 
Did you say pusher fans?  Pushers are about 70% as efficient as pullers reducing the 2780cfm flow to under 2000cfm.  They'll also block a lot of the incoming air even at speed when they're turned off.  In addition, the opening in the radiator support might not fit the two dual 11" fans.  Spal's tech sheet says their dual setup is 23.5".  Another thing to watch for is the room between the fans and the splash pan and those motors are 4.25" deep - I don't thing there is room to fit them with some cutting behind the grille.  I'd really suggest a puller setup.  The small block (assuming short pump) should have tons of room on the engine side.

Dale McIntosh
TC Gold #92/ACES #1709
67SS/67 Elky
Dales Place
Team 67
Midwest Chevelles

-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Ken's Email
Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2003 8:38 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [Chevelle-List] Dale: Electric Fan set up versus Clutch Fan set up

Dale:

Thanks for your comments. There is a lot of confusion on which way to go. Hence, my questions. My understanding is that two Spal 11 inch fans with built in fan shrouds and acting as pushers will either outperform or equal a traditional mechanical clutch fan set up. Apparently, the Spal fans would be set up that they come on at idle or when the temps rise. Then at cruising speeds, the fans would be off. This would be controlled by a thermal switch with a relay.

The issue for me is trying to decide which way to go prior to ordering the set up. This is why I was asking for inputs.

When you look at modern cars today, seems all have gone the route of electric fans.

Does that say anything ? Dunno, just curious prior to investing in a custom aluminum radiator set up.

Thanks again,

Ken McDee

 Dale McIntosh <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

If you have the room for a puller fan (or even a pusher if it's just an auxiliary backup) AND the normal fan, I'd think that's the route to go.  As Rich said, the electric fans for low speed cruising/traffic only when there's almost no airflow.
 
There's been a few threads on this very subject at Team Chevelle and the concensus is that over 35-40 mph, there's enough airflow through the radiator to cool it anyway and at some point (like 70-80 range) the electric fans are actually a hinderance as there's more air coming through the radiator than the fans can pull, effectively blocking the airflow.  Some fan setups have small flaps in their shrouding that will open to allow more surface for the air to flow through.
 
Much depends on how good an airflow you have through your radiator now.  Remember that newer cars usually have the radiator at quite an angle and almost no airflow from the outside.

Dale McIntosh
TC Gold #92/ACES #1709
67SS/67 Elky
Dales Place
Team 67
Midwest Chevelles

-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Ken's Email
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 11:08 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: [Chevelle-List] Yet another question: Electric Fan set up versus Clutch Fan set up

I am trying to determine if:

a. I should go with one or the other.

b. Clutch fan set up, shroud, electric puller fan.

Thanks,

Ken McDee

 Richard Milkiewicz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

I went with both on my Nova. In traffic or on a slow cruise I switched the electric fan on to keep things cool. Driving at normal speeds I would shut it off. Worked great. I learned this lesson at the Woodward cruise when I kept boiling over. It's not easy to get water when your surrounded by a million people.
Rich
"66 Malibu
ACES # 5066
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 10:32 AM
Subject: [Chevelle-List] Yet another question: Electric Fan set up versus Clutch Fan set up

Regarding my 67 Chevelle Malibu, I am deciding to upgrade the radiator to a crossflow aluminum radiator. I can also go with either the traditional clutch fan set up or have two spall 11 inch fans incorporated into the radiator (along with a built in trans cooler).

My question is what set up do you prefer, i.e., the clutch fan set up or the electric fan set up. And, have you noticed most modern cars have gone electric ?

Your opinions sought. Thanks,

Ken McDee

P.S. Car will not be raced. A cruiser/driver.

 


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