Questions about electric radiator fan

[Tony_Urwin]

I'm adding A/C to my 48 Dodge truck. I need to use a "pusher" type electric fan, since there will be no room for an engine fan.

Any tips for installing an electric fan? I see that some mount by putting plastic ties through the radiator. That sounds like trouble to me. Anybody have any experience with electric fans?

I'm also adding a 10" x 20" A/C condensor to the setup if that makes any difference.

[Merle Coggins]

Why won't there be room for the engine fan? Are you moving the radiator back? Or will the compressor be in the way?

Merle

[greg g]

Tony, check this out. Shows a stouter mounting bracket. This ones behind the radiator but could be a pusher also. Looks like a good wire schematic also.

http://www.classictruckshop.com/clubs/earlyburbs/projects/cooling/fans.htm

[Tony_Urwin]

Merle, there is less room in the truck than in a P-15, for instance. The P-15 at least gives ya the option of moving the radiator forward. I have a dual fan pulley and a dual pulleys on the A/C compressor and alternator. Just doesn't leave any wiggle room for a fan. Not even an electric puller-type fan.

Plus, the electric fans can work better at idle, and make less noise at highway speed. They don't look too expensive.

[Don Coatney]

Tony;

This first picture is how I initally installed my pusher fan. I had about a one inch gap between the fan and radiator. This did allow a lot of air to by pass the radiator. When I looked at the pusher that James douglas installed it was just touching the front of the radiator so I made a change as shown in the second picture. Suggest you install a thermostatic fan controller as you will find that most of the time the fan will shut down above 40 MPH unless the ambient temperature is above 85 or so. The day I drove to your house it was 95 when I left home. The fan did not run for most of the early morning trip. It did run later in the day.

[Tony_Urwin]

Your install looks good, Don. Very sturdy, and no worries about damaging the radiator with those plastic ties that go thu the core. Seems like most of the aftermarket fans use those plastic ties to mount. The ties do mount the fan right up against the radiator core, I guess.

If I only have room for a pusher-type fan, how should I mount the A/C condensor? I guess I could make a bracket like yours and mount the A/C condensor out in front of the radiator fan. Lots of room to do that.

How does your electric fan cool on really hot days? Wasn't James having some cooling problems with his electric setup?

[bmt47p-15]

Here is the 92 Beretta pusher fan in my Dads 47 Dodge truck. The fan was only about 10 bucks at salvage yard. Install is a lot like Don's with a adjustable thermostat. Worked real well. I would not recommend putting those tie raps through the radiator. Had a friend that, wore a hole right through one of the cores.

[Tony_Urwin]

Looks good, but that's a puller, not a pusher. I wish I had that much room, but I don't. I'll have to put a pusher in front of the radiator and condensor. I guess the plastic ties wouldn't work for me anyway with a condensor in front of the radiator.

[bmt47p-15]

You are right! I don't know what I was thinking.

[Al Martin]

http://www.fifthaveinternetgarage.com/parts/parts_counter_3.html

Al

[bob westphal]

I have used the plastic tie downs that come with the kit without any problem. You just them through from the fan side. They're quick and easy and don't look bad.

[Don Coatney]

I have used the plastic tie downs that come with the kit without any problem. You just them through from the fan side. They're quick and easy and don't look bad.

Believe it wouod be difficult to use the plastic ties on a honeycomb radiator.

[martybose]

Believe it wouod be difficult to use the plastic ties on a honeycomb radiator.

I used them on my radiator with no problems.

Marty

[Tony_Urwin]

I bought a 16" Maradyne fan at a local rod shop. The had mounting straps for an additional $10. They sell the plastic ties that go thru the core, but recommended the straps instead.

[kbuhagiar]

Merle, there is less room in the truck than in a P-15, for instance. The P-15 at least gives ya the option of moving the radiator forward.

Hello folks,

I know this is an old thread, but can someone clarify this statement? Does this mean that a P15 is designed so that the radiator can be mounted either on the inside or the outside of the radiator support?

Thanks in advance.

[Don Coatney]

The radiator bracket can be reversed and that in effect moves the radiator forward about 2 inches. I had to do that when I installed the longer Desoto engine in my P-15. I had to modify the bracket lower mount and also had to cut a notch in my fenders so I could drop the radiator into position once the engine was in place. I also had to go with aftermarket horns.

[Young Ed]

Trucks have that built in too because the bigger trucks came with the longer 6.

[chopt50wgn]

Make sure you do get a true pusher fan. Some fan companies will sell you a puller and tell you turn the blade around, thats not a pusher unless you also switch the polarity on the motor.

Get yourself a Spal fan. The make a true pusher or puller. Also make sure you run the electrics through a relay!!

[Don Coatney]

Make sure you do get a true pusher fan. Some fan companies will sell you a puller and tell you turn the blade around, thats not a pusher unless you also switch the polarity on the motor.

Get yourself a Spal fan. The make a true pusher or puller. Also make sure you run the electrics through a relay!!

If you turn the fan around AND switch the polarity will you not end up right where you started? I think you need to turn the blade around OR switch polarity.

Also to add to your relay statment it is best to use a thermostatically controlled relay so the fan only comes on when the engine temperature reaches the set point. The only thermostatically controlled relay I found that had adjustable setpoints within the limits required for my engine is pictured below.

[kbuhagiar]

The radiator bracket can be reversed and that in effect moves the radiator forward about 2 inches. I had to do that when I installed the longer Desoto engine in my P-15. I had to modify the bracket lower mount and also had to cut a notch in my fenders so I could drop the radiator into position once the engine was in place. I also had to go with aftermarket horns.

Thanks Don, I appreciate the clarification.

[Plymouthy Adams]

the electric fan I chose comes from Summit Racing..they have a slew of sizes and rates for what ever need you have...mine is a puller, there is no mechanical fan on my engine at all..it has three way power up...thermostatically as set by the use for what temp they want..manual override if you know you will be pulling a grade and want to get a jump on controlling the temp rise and of course by activation of the AC clutch circuit...this will be married to the computer and existing AC relay on the power distribution on my car so to take advantage of the WOT feature of the ECU..this puppy is almost as large as the radiator and by design is its own shroud..mounting is easy without the fear of damage from using the zip ties..this unit cost 139.00..most fans of any quality of CFM and controller features is going to cost but with the simplicity of operation..well worth it..of course installed the red rubber will not be as visible..these are glued in place to the support but not yet trimmed to size and received their color change..

[Don Coatney]

I forgot to mention that I also have installed a override switch (toggle switch left of the key) so I can turn the fan on manually when ever I feel the urge. .