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Need Help With Cooling - Fan Shroud


Daddy
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Good Afternoon Folks - It's been a while since I've been around.  I hope all is well.

 

Toward the end of last season I ran into some overheating issues in my 49 with a 318.  I've decided to upgrade to an electric puller fan and attempt to find a shroud.  Unfortunately, my car did not come with one.  

 

What are you folks doing in terms of electric fans and shrouds?  Any suggestions toward a universal that I can make work?

 

Thanks as always!

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You'll get the standard lecture that your car should not overheat under normal circumstances. They didn't back in the day.  So there may be  something wrong that can be fixed.  

 

My car overheated in parades so I added a pusher fan.  (12 volt, because I got it used; but there are 6 volt pusher fans.) The car seldom needs the pusher fan. The fan is controlled by two-way switch, On, center Off , and Automatic.

 

I'll spare you the long story about adding power steering and moving the radiator a half inch forward.  The gist of it is that I had to fill the space between the shroud that came with the fan and the radiator.  I filled the space with weatherstripping gasket from the hardware store.  (Best photo I can find:)

 

post-126-0-40221400-1430245818_thumb.jpg

 

  

 

 

 

 

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Thanks for sharing.  I understand that the car should operate cool under normal driving conditions, however, normal conditions would indicate that I have the shroud which I am missing.  I'll get a pic later of my setup.

 

Unfortunately it's looking like nobody makes a shroud for these cars.  I spoke to summitracing today and they recommended this piece as a "close second".

 

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/vta-32031-vff

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'49 Dodge with a 318? I am not sure how the cooling requirements of a later 318 match up with the capacity of the original radiator, etc. Has this setup had overheating problems since the engine swap or are they are recent phenomena?

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Daddy.......I have a 318 poly in the 40 Dodge, have a 16" fan mounted on the front of the radiator with a manual switch, 180 thermostat, later radiator and 13 pound cap.......around town in stop/start traffic I use the fan but once over 30/40 mph theres enough air coming thru the radiator........don't have a fan shroud, but it works fine......I have the standard 1940 Plymouth upper sheet metal panel(you can just see this piece in the upper right corner in front of the radiator in this pic) in front of the radiator that Plodges(Oz 1940 Dodges used Pymouth hoods, fenders etc with Dodge grilles & badges like the Canadians did) had and the lower piece also behind the grille, both ensure that air that comes thru the grille goes thru the radiator..........I'd mount the fan in front, manual switch and see how it goes...........andyd

post-612-0-98040800-1430257110_thumb.jpg

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What engine do you have?  The flathead sixes do not have shrouds (at least not through 1948).

 

Good to know.  I had assumed that they did and my car just did not have one from the owner i got the car from.

 

'49 Dodge with a 318? I am not sure how the cooling requirements of a later 318 match up with the capacity of the original radiator, etc. Has this setup had overheating problems since the engine swap or are they are recent phenomena?

 

I'm assuming it's the original style radiator.  I haven't had any problems with cooling aside from once getting into the heins drive cruise here in michigan.  Essentially it's like entering gridlock for 8 miles.  Also she got hot running through the western burbs of metro detroit.  quarter mile, red light.  wait 2 cycles.  quarter mile, red light.  wait 2 cycles. etc.

 

Usually you have the electric fan tight to the rad......maybe its your radiator

 

That's a strong possibility.  I've found some good 3 core aluminum replacements online from champion at a reasonable cost.

 

 

I'll do it if it comes down to it!  Peace of mind is priceless.

 

Daddy.......I have a 318 poly in the 40 Dodge, have a 16" fan mounted on the front of the radiator with a manual switch, 180 thermostat, later radiator and 13 pound cap.......around town in stop/start traffic I use the fan but once over 30/40 mph theres enough air coming thru the radiator........don't have a fan shroud, but it works fine......I have the standard 1940 Plymouth upper sheet metal panel(you can just see this piece in the upper right corner in front of the radiator in this pic) in front of the radiator that Plodges(Oz 1940 Dodges used Pymouth hoods, fenders etc with Dodge grilles & badges like the Canadians did) had and the lower piece also behind the grille, both ensure that air that comes thru the grille goes thru the radiator..........I'd mount the fan in front, manual switch and see how it goes...........andyd

 

Ohh semihemi :)  That's the game plan.  After reading the thread contents,i may just go have the radiator tested after i get this converter swapped.

 

54 Chrysler with hemi used a shroud.if you get the measurements of it you can tell if it will fit or can be made to fit. capt den

 

Good deal.  I'm heading up north this weekend and my friend joe owns the local yard.  I'll see if he has anything.  Long shot, but he has tons of old rust.

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Daddy.........if you have the original radiator I'd make sure its in good condition, ie, get it checked/cleaned out, run a 180 thermostat, and get a 16" fan, any smaller and you might as well stand in front of the car and fart, you'll blow as much air as those small fans........lol.....I'd try it without a shroud and unless there is something else wrong with the cooling system it should work and cool fine.....use a manual fan switch also, those auto ones are a PITA..............regards,andyd

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