meadowbrook Posted October 3, 2016 Report Share Posted October 3, 2016 Hello all. I made it from Detroit to Philadelphia in my 50 Dodge. Thoroughly enjoyed the vaccum wipers as it rained much of the trip and the car ran flawlessly, with overdrive on, averaging 65-70 mph. Only issues were me forgetting the parking brake on and burning it to a crisp. Right before the trip, I installed a Champion Radiator and that worked well too, except that the fan grazes it when I do a hard stop. I bent the blades back some, but I think I need to go for electric fan now. Any suggestions? Amazon has 2 six volts ones, I am at a loss as to how to get a six volt thermostat and switch for it, any tips? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonaldSmith Posted October 3, 2016 Report Share Posted October 3, 2016 Speedway Motors sells a thermal switch that senses coolant temperature. The thermal switch grounds a circuit. Cooling fan sensor: 91064026-185 or -195. (I got the 185; could have got the 195, since water boils at 212 at sea level.) (I got a 6-volt, 16-inch fan from Speedway, garage sale, $90, otherwise on sale for $120.) Add a manual switch if you want. Have the switch(es) trip a relay to control the fan power. I added another relay, controlled by the ignition switch, to power the fan relay and an inverter (for 12 volt electronics). Fan can run, and inverter is on, only when the key is turned to Ignition or Accessory. Speedway had some mis-marked 12-volt relays which I returned. I got the relays and connecting sockets through Amazon- search for 6-volt relays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meadowbrook Posted October 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2016 Thanks, but where do you install that sensor, I was thinking of those that you put in through the radiator fins, yours looks like a bolt on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted October 3, 2016 Report Share Posted October 3, 2016 I installed the sensor in the top radiator fins using heat transfer paste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonaldSmith Posted October 3, 2016 Report Share Posted October 3, 2016 (edited) The thermal grounding sensor that I used taps into the cooling stream. I used a cast iron tee with bushing. I installed the tee in the top radiator hose. I had to add a ground wire to the sensor, since the hoses would insulate the sensor from ground. (Yes, the fan clears the sensor.) The sensor that Don Coatney describes has a thin probe that goes through the radiator (between the tubes). That type of sensor has its own relay. I have a separate relay that is tripped by the sensor grounding the circuit. Edited October 3, 2016 by DonaldSmith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YukonJack Posted October 3, 2016 Report Share Posted October 3, 2016 3 hours ago, meadowbrook said: Hello all. I made it from Detroit to Philadelphia in my 50 Dodge. Thoroughly enjoyed the vaccum wipers as it rained much of the trip and the car ran flawlessly, with overdrive on, averaging 65-70 mph. Only issues were me forgetting the parking brake on and burning it to a crisp. Right before the trip, I installed a Champion Radiator and that worked well too, except that the fan grazes it when I do a hard stop. I bent the blades back some, but I think I need to go for electric fan now. Any suggestions? Amazon has 2 six volts ones, I am at a loss as to how to get a six volt thermostat and switch for it, any tips? If the fan is hitting the radiator only on hard stops, is the radiator loose and moving a little or do you have a worn or broken motor mount? I would try to find out whats causing the lack of clearance when stopping and then you might not need the electric fan. Just my 2 cents. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Ed Posted October 4, 2016 Report Share Posted October 4, 2016 8 hours ago, YukonJack said: If the fan is hitting the radiator only on hard stops, is the radiator loose and moving a little or do you have a worn or broken motor mount? I would try to find out whats causing the lack of clearance when stopping and then you might not need the electric fan. Just my 2 cents. Or some slop in the water pump itself? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meadowbrook Posted October 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2016 Well, the radiator is thicker than stock. The wp is new and has no slop and the rear engine mounts are old but the front is new Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laynrubber Posted October 10, 2016 Report Share Posted October 10, 2016 I have used electric fans on several vehicles with no thermostatic switch. I watch the temp gauge. At highway speeds or even just around town there hasn't been a need. Once in traffic I flick the the switch on, on in stop and go slow traffic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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