Electric fan vs engine-mounted fan

[Track T-4]

Other than a potential minor gain in power, what is the benefit of using an electric fan versus a pulley-mounted fan? If there is enough space between the pulley and the radiator why not avoid the ties through the radiator (assuming no shroud is used) and the additional wiring? Maybe more CFM from the electric fan if the right one is installed? Anything else?

I currently have a small pusher elec fan (10") but not enough room for a puller electric fan. Have enough space for a pulley-mounted fan and am thinking of installling one and running it along with the pusher....at least until I buy a larger elec pusher.

 

[rooster57]

The main advantage in my mind is the differance in CFM at a stop light. The elect fan will draw much more air when you are stoped . When u start moving it takes care of its self. IMO

 

[Lee_in_KC]

To sort of add to rooster's comments, an electric fan is much more, umm, "tunable." Between temperature sensors and manual switches, you can set up an electric fan to run under just about any conditions you want. My electric fan is wired through the ignition switch then through a temperature sensor in the driver's side head. It comes on about 210 and goes off about 180, according to the specs. On the water temp gauge on the dash, I see temps between 180 and 200 (sensor is in the intake manifold right next to the thermostat). My rad has never puked into the tank (that I know of).

 

[Duke]

A pusher fan is not as efficient as a puller. There much better ways to mount an electric fan than using the thru radiator tabs. Mounting hardware can be made or purchased. On the market there is some low profile electric fans than only need maybe 2 or 3 inches space. Almost always with an engine driven fan you have to have a fan shroud in order to draw enough CFM, in most cases an electric doesn't need a shroud. My Nickels worth. :lol:

 

[EX JUNK]

I don't want to cause any arguments but I am running a mechanical fan with no shroud. I live in central Florida where it gets quite warm and the traffic can be very congested. But even with these less than favorable conditions, I have yet to experience any overheating condition.

When I built my car, I allowed enough room for an electric fan but decided to go with the mechanical to see if it would do the job because I personally do not like the look or the sound of an electric unit in an open engine compartment. Again, I must stress that a mechanical fan is my PERSONAL preference in an OPEN engine compartment. However, in my '37 Chevy I'm running an electric unit because the restricted confines of the closed engine compartment need the higher, constant air flow of the electric unit.

Jim

 

[Screaming Metal]

I don't want to cause any arguments but I am running a mechanical fan with no shroud. I live in central Florida where it gets quite warm and the traffic can be very congested. But even with these less than favorable conditions, I have yet to experience any overheating condition.

When I built my car, I allowed enough room for an electric fan but decided to go with the mechanical to see if it would do the job because I personally do not like the look or the sound of an electric unit in an open engine compartment. Again, I must stress that a mechanical fan is my PERSONAL preference in an OPEN engine compartment. However, in my '37 Chevy I'm running an electric unit because the restricted confines of the closed engine compartment need the higher, constant air flow of the electric unit.

Jim

Yea EXJUNK, but you know something about cars and you own a hotrod......some of the guys just think cause you got a fan on there going around that alls cool and fine! You got your spaced right......your running the right sized fan spacer......yada ,yada ,yada.............

I've seen folks put flexfans on backwards..............they sound really squirrelly!!!!!!! Ha!

 

[Ted Brown]

I am with Jim totally on this, if you need more air while sitting at lights and such, buy a fan with more blades, a flex fan works good for this, as they flatten out at higher RPMs, so then they are not so noisy, like a straight AC (7 or 9 blade) steel fan blade, they work great but are real loud at speed, :biggrin:

 

[donsrods]

This is one of those subjects where people line up on both sides of the argument, and one side will never convince the other. I guess if you have one or the other and it works, then you are right. I like electric personally, especially a good quality one like the SPALS we use, and always with a shroud.

That is what works for me, so I like em. :biggrin:

Don

 

[Ted Brown]

As far as I think, I hate to spend more money on stuff that I really don't need.. If the water pump does not line up real good with your radiator, then a good Elict. fan is in order... Engine fans have been working great for MANY years, and the loss of those few horse's does not bother me.. But if you are into very high RPMs, then an elict. is also good there... just my thoughts on this no win deal.

 

[rooster57]

My BIG problem with an open car like ours it the safety aspect of an open metal fan spinnnnnnning. But just like " Mr Ted" thats just me.

 

[AZCOWBO]

I have a 16" electric fan on my custom radiator, which the shell and the coil are combined. I first mounted it with the straps, which looked like crap and will eventually wear on your coils. I went to Ace Hardware and purchased a 1/8" by 3/4" alum. strap. I first polished the strap, then cut off 4- 2" segements, bent them to 90 degrees, mounted them on the bolt mts that are built into the fan shroud, and then mounted them inside the shell with pop-rivets. The bottom of the fan shroud sits on the lower lip of the radiator shell, to reduce any stress on the tabs and the little sticky cushion buttons allow you to cinch it up to the radiator coil for good airflow. Very simple and easy to mount.

 

[terrymac]

My BIG problem with an open car like ours it the safety aspect of an open metal fan spinnnnnnning. But just like " Mr Ted" thats just me

A few years ago a fellow over the road was killed working on a GM 1/2 ton with a flex fan. He was leaning over the rad working on the carb when a blade let go and hit him in the head. On an open car I think it could be dangerous for anybody close by
Just my opinion

 

[Screaming Metal]

My BIG problem with an open car like ours it the safety aspect of an open metal fan spinnnnnnning. But just like " Mr Ted" thats just me

A few years ago a fellow over the road was killed working on a GM 1/2 ton with a flex fan. He was leaning over the rad working on the carb when a blade let go and hit him in the head. On an open car I think it could be dangerous for anybody close by
Just my opinion

Only use the stainless steel flexfans......I love the look of a really beautiful engine and a really nice fan setup.....HOWEVER....... aluminum flexfans have sent their blades thru the fiberglass hood of more then one car!
I built a 72 Nova for a guy, running a 355 with a powerglide w/ 5.57's in a 9"..........5th pass down the strip.......1/2 down the track lost a front tire.......we got it into the pit area......all the blades on the aluminum flexfan were gone...except for a little bit around where the rivets held them on..........we only use stainless stell to about 6800rpm.....anything overthat that needs a radiator......electric fans.......

It ain't worth hurting a innocent bystander and spectator cause a fan blows apart while doing a burnout and a race.......IMHOO.......in myhumbleoldopinion.............I've dodged enough blower belts in my life to fell really lucky!!!!!!!!! Ha!:hooray:

 

[putz]

I have a fex fan and for protection and cooling I added a new invention called a shroud.:hooray: Protects you when engine is running.

 

[rooster57]

The shroud of PUTZ sounds like a new discovery for sure.

 

[rooster57]

Also those fans Shroud or not are real good at removing the wires from your timing light.

 

[Screaming Metal]

The shroud of PUTZ sounds like a new discovery for sure.

Hee-Hee, its sounds like something a wizard would you in the movies!!!!!!!

Guys.....ya gotta admit, they don't fling the blades off idling........and on my 421 Pontiac.....it busted the hell outta that shroud..........TRUE......I DIDN"T have that SHROUD of PUTZ.......if I had, it would've saved my hood!!!!!!! And I agree totally with ya, too..............

Hey Putz....ya gotta know we love Ya!!!!!!:hooray:

 

[putz]

Oh you guys can't hurt my feelings. I owned a septic truck for 14years. I have been made fun of but excelled in business.Sold it last year for almost 3 times what I paid for it.

 

[rooster57]

I bet the truck had an electric fan on :wacky:it is why you got so much for it:flush:.

 

[Screaming Metal]

I bet the truck had an electric fan on :wacky:it is why you got so much for it:flush:.

Dawm Rooster....you got it goin' on there.......Hee-Hee------