James_Douglas Posted June 6, 2007 Report Posted June 6, 2007 I had a machine shop make me an adaptor that will allow the use of an aggressive at idle Flex-o-Lite nylon cooling fan. This fan is 10% the weight of the original steel fan, has more blades, and flattens out at upper RPM so it is not trying to pull as much air at highway speed. The dilemma is that the front this fan is flat from the tip through the center to the other tip. As such, I would have to pull the radiator to get the fan bolts on and off. It is only 1/8 closer to the radiator than the stock fan, I can get my fingers between the fan blades and the radiator so I think I have about 3/8 to ½ inch clearance. Does anyone think that having a set up by which I have to pull the radiator to get to the fan is asking for trouble? Best, James Quote
TodFitch Posted June 6, 2007 Report Posted June 6, 2007 Would you have clearance to replace the fan belt? That is one item that ought to be replaced periodically as a regular maintenance item. For the rest, you are just making R&R of things like the water pump more difficult. Quote
James_Douglas Posted June 6, 2007 Author Report Posted June 6, 2007 Tod, Very good point. Down to the grage to see if that small belt can be pulled around the fan! If that works, then I am not worried about the water pump. If I have to change it, I have to break loose the water system anyhow to drain the radiator will happen anyway. If the water pump goes, good time to change the large hoses as well... Of to the garage...Tod, see brake question... James Quote
Don Coatney Posted June 6, 2007 Report Posted June 6, 2007 Does anyone think that having a set up by which I have to pull the radiator to get to the fan is asking for trouble? Best, James James; I do not have to pull the radiator to get to the fan because I have an electric fan only. I do have to pull the radiator to remove the engine and if lucky I will not have to do in again my lifetime. Is your engine running hot? Per my observations your engine runs cooler than my engine. Quote
James_Douglas Posted June 6, 2007 Author Report Posted June 6, 2007 Don, Over the last month I have had the car in some heat and in traffic. It is starting to warm up. I put the steel fan back on and it helped at idle in traffic. I hate the boat anchor of a steel fan. it no doubt eats up a little HP and I have little to spare. Not to mention the water pump bushings. The electric fan on 6V pulls about 15 AMPS, which at idle if the radio is on can pull the voltage dangerously low as far as the coil is concerned. So, that is what this is about. Everything looks good, except I would have to pull the radiator to get the fan off. James Quote
greg g Posted June 7, 2007 Report Posted June 7, 2007 Well here is a bit of a dilemma you reminded me of. wjen I put the P28 engine in my car I put in the spacers that came on the engine, not really thinking anything of it. Put the radiator in and got the engine running, then noticed the lack space between the fan and radiator. I guess I will have to remove the radiator when I need to change the belt. Hope I got one of those long life models. Perhaps your fan blades will have enough give to facilitate the belt change. OOOPS...... Quote
Olddaddy Posted June 7, 2007 Report Posted June 7, 2007 I have a somewhat similar dilemma at the moment. I wanted to run a DeSoto fan that has more blades than the stock Plymouth 4 blade setup. However, the curve of the blades will cause it to hit my ac pump without some serious shimming or rebuilding of brackets. If I shim it out to where the blades clear the pump it will be perilously close to the very high dollar aluminum radiator......what to do? I'd be interested in the flex-o-lite part number of your fan. It might solve my problems and still move more air than original equipment. Any pictures? Quote
greg g Posted June 7, 2007 Report Posted June 7, 2007 Charlie could you mount thr radiator to the front of the radiato mount. Quote
Olddaddy Posted June 7, 2007 Report Posted June 7, 2007 I have considered that, but currently my entire front clip is removed for painting. Until I make more progress the radiator question cannot be answered, but I suspect I could move it forward somehow. It all circles around my desire to run my ac pump with two belts, not one. That requires it to move forward about 1/2" into the fans circle of travel. Physics being what they are the two objects cannot happily inhabit the same space at the same time. Something must give, possibly the radiator, or the dreaded electric fans......... Quote
Lou Earle Posted June 7, 2007 Report Posted June 7, 2007 On my Mustangs- 68 and 66, my 49 caddy, and 31 ModelA's you must pulle the radiator to remove the fanbolts so that is nothing new Lou Quote
jd52cranbrook Posted June 7, 2007 Report Posted June 7, 2007 Charlie could you mount thr radiator to the front of the radiato mount. I did that. Worked great, and also had a shrould made up. And, the closer to the radiator, the more air you are assured you will suck through. How often are you going to pull the fan anyway? I doubt you will get it close enough where you cant get a new fan belt to slip in front of it if need be. Quote
grey beard Posted June 7, 2007 Report Posted June 7, 2007 Gents, Far as I can remember, ALL older MoPars required radiator removal to get to the fan bolts. FYI Harbor Freight has in their current sales flyer an infra red hand held digital thermeter that reads temps just by pointing at a component. What a neat diagnostic tool for locating ot spots, etc. Think I'll get one myself for Fathers' Day . . . . . . or maby leave some bgriad hints. Quote
Don Coatney Posted June 7, 2007 Report Posted June 7, 2007 FYI Harbor Freight has in their current sales flyer an infra red hand held digital thermeter that reads temps just by pointing at a component. What a neat diagnostic tool for locating ot spots, etc. Dave; I have had one in my toolbox for a while now. Very handy tool. Quote
Young Ed Posted June 7, 2007 Report Posted June 7, 2007 Certainly all mopars do not require removal of the radiator. I've done the water pump on my 46 pickup and dads 39 roadking without removing it. Quote
TodFitch Posted June 7, 2007 Report Posted June 7, 2007 Gents,Far as I can remember, ALL older MoPars required radiator removal to get to the fan bolts. The fan and water pump on my 1933 PD can be removed without removing the radiator. Which is a good thing as removing the radiator requires removing the hood which is very difficult to do by one person without marring the paint. In removing the fan bolts you are sure to also remove some skin on the back of your fingers as they squeeze between the fan and the radiator. Quote
Young Ed Posted June 7, 2007 Report Posted June 7, 2007 You just need a fan wrench. This picture I got off ebay is similar to the one dad has. Quote
Norm's Coupe Posted June 7, 2007 Report Posted June 7, 2007 You just need skinny hands. I just use a regular wrench to get the fan off. Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted June 7, 2007 Report Posted June 7, 2007 My fan looks about like greg g's......real close to the radiator. Might be room, just barely, to remove that narrow fan belt. But doubtful the fan bolts could be removed without pulling the radiator. Quote
Norm's Coupe Posted June 7, 2007 Report Posted June 7, 2007 Bob You can do it without removing the radiator. Just stick a socket on it with a long breaker bar handle, hold had flat to guide the socket onto the bolts. Or, just use a long wrench. There is also room to get a wide belt in there. Have the wide fan belt on my coupe. Quote
James_Douglas Posted June 7, 2007 Author Report Posted June 7, 2007 All done and working. Pulls a LOT of air at idle. Will have to take it someplace hot and sit in traffic to see how much, if any , improvement. James Quote
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