Engine Cooling Quesion

[engine24355]

I know we have discussed this before, but I need some advice to cool down my new 355. Due to space restrictions I am unable to run an electric fan without making some modifications. The simplest option would be to try a fan shroud, but I really do not want to spend 90.00 on a plastic Walker shroud. I am thinking about just making one out of sheet metal as I have done before on dirt track cars, but I wanted what you guys think. Does anyone have a good universal shroud available?

Thanks!

 

[GT63]

I know we have discussed this before, but I need some advice to cool down my new 355. Due to space restrictions I am unable to run an electric fan without making some modifications. The simplest option would be to try a fan shroud, but I really do not want to spend 90.00 on a plastic Walker shroud. I am thinking about just making one out of sheet metal as I have done before on dirt track cars, but I wanted what you guys think. Does anyone have a good universal shroud available?

Thanks!

Don't forget that timing and AFR play a roll in overheating. The Air Fuel Ratio (AFR) should be close to 14:1. If it's lean it will heat up.

what radiator are ya running?

Thermostat?

Straight AF or AFwater mixture or straight water with lube for water pump?

 

[engine24355]

Don't forget that timing and AFR play a roll in overheating. The Air Fuel Ratio (AFR) should be close to 14:1. If it's lean it will heat up.

what radiator are ya running?

Thermostat?

Straight AF or AFwater mixture or straight water with lube for water pump?

Right. I am still adjusting the new carb along with the timing.

180 thermostate
Running AF water mix

 

[donsrods]

Sounds like you are running a mechanical fan. If so, the shroud would essentially be the same as for an electric with the addition of some sort of large metal tunnel for the fan blades to ride inside of. You want to create a vacuum effect, and if you simply cut a large hole in the flat shroud that covers the core and put the fan there, a lot of air will be drawn in through the sides of the blades and not get the full effect across the radiator core.

This one would not be very efficient as air would only be drawn over the section where the circle is.......

This type would be much more efficient as it would pull air all across the core.

Don

 

[engine24355]

Sounds like you are running a mechanical fan. If so, the shroud would essentially be the same as for an electric with the addition of some sort of large metal tunnel for the fan blades to ride inside of. You want to create a vacuum effect, and if you simply cut a large hole in the flat shroud that covers the core and put the fan there, a lot of air will be drawn in through the sides of the blades and not get the full effect across the radiator core.

This one would not be very efficient as air would only be drawn over the section where the circle is.......

This type would be much more efficient as it would pull air all across the core.

Don

Thanks for the advice Don. The second pic is what I had in mind, but have not been able to find anythign to fit a Walker radiator.

 

[Screaming Metal]

Hey Engine......if things are getting warm....check out the usual suspects.....and yes.......a fan shroud will make a world of difference on your car.
If you have a MIG and Plasma cutter......you can whup up a work o art in a few minutes.....if ya got the material.

16 or 18 ga. sheetmetal should suffice......not hard to make.....just be sure to seal all around the edges with some metal trim

But definitely....a shroud will not only do more than help you out......they're totally necessary!

 

[Screaming Metal]

That top fan in the post can be improved by about 70% just by cutting a piece if alum. sheet to cover the radiator......then cut a hole in it that will be about the same size of the metal shroud around the fan..........if the fitup is tight......and made out of like material.........weld that puppy up, put a coat of color on her and call it good..............

If you want to make a metal one like that top one.........the material will be about $10 and about 30 minutes of measuring, welding and wrenchin'........

I make all the ones out of alum. so I can polish it up some........they even work great on electric fans!

 

[Screaming Metal]

Check out the shroud on some of the S-10s........they're 2 piece and they're about the right size to make them really adaptable........they're tons of the things laying around..............

 

[putz]

You could get sheet aluminum and take that to a heating and cooling guy to fab a custom one.They are really good at using a break.Then just get it welded.Just an idea

 

[terrymac]

I have a walker rad in mine Took the dimensions and went to my local salvage yard and found one that fit... off of a Honda Pilot I think they said. Works great and looks like it was made for it

 

[jbisme]

I know you're thinking sheet metal shroud, but here's an article on making a fiberglass one.

http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Make_a_fiberglass_fan_shroud

 

[engine24355]

Thanks for the advice guys. I will try to check out my local salvage yard and if no luck, go custom fab.

Thanks!

 

[ChestersAlive]

I know we have discussed this before, but I need some advice to cool down my new 355. Due to space restrictions I am unable to run an electric fan without making some modifications. The simplest option would be to try a fan shroud, but I really do not want to spend 90.00 on a plastic Walker shroud. I am thinking about just making one out of sheet metal as I have done before on dirt track cars, but I wanted what you guys think. Does anyone have a good universal shroud available?

Thanks!

Why don't you check out the large stainless steel basins in the houseware department of Wal-Mart or home depot. cut the bottom out of it, and rivet the bottom lip to sheet metal cut to fit the side gaps of the radiator. You could even polish it for a chrome finish and paint the sheet metal before you assembled it for the final time. Wouldn't cost you sh-t.If you have one of those aluminum flex-fans with blades you can cut a tough steak with, this idea is something you'd better seriously consider. Chester

 

[Screaming Metal]

I know we have discussed this before, but I need some advice to cool down my new 355. Due to space restrictions I am unable to run an electric fan without making some modifications. The simplest option would be to try a fan shroud, but I really do not want to spend 90.00 on a plastic Walker shroud. I am thinking about just making one out of sheet metal as I have done before on dirt track cars, but I wanted what you guys think. Does anyone have a good universal shroud available?

Thanks!

Hey Engine, Is it you don't have enough room between the front of your waterpump and the radiator????

If this is the case, here's what you can do. Now this isn't as effecient as pulling air thru....use 2 small 'pusher fans' in front of the radiator. And you can get some more flow by going to a electric waterpump also, and gain a couple of inches of clearence between the from to the engine and the radiator.

Those are used on hotter engines that need more, flow for racing, etc. plus it free's up a bunch of horses at the harmonic balancer....no spinning parasitic loss.

Also....this is just a thought Engine....open your radiator cap....get a flashlight....start her up, looking down as the engine gets hotter....when the water starts to flow, this means your thermostat has opened....it should look like a fairly fast flow. If it doesn't, there's some blockage in the radiator, in the pump ot possibly in the block itself. But don't count out the thermostat either....sometimes they won't open all the way, causing the same problem.

Let me know what you find....I'll keep checking back.....