Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines Engine Fans

I've got as 1937 Chev pickup with a 261 engine in it. I have very minimal fan to radiator clearence, but would like to use the best fan possible. That could be the stock fan, but if anyone has a better suggestion, I'm interested. Thanks!

We were having trouble with over heating our race car. We put in a new fan like this http://www.flex-a-lite.com/auto/400.htm
and it moves lots of air. For 20 bucks.
not bad looking either.

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Jason

http://home.wizard.org/twchevelle

This is for cars and trucks with 12 volt systems.With My 50 Chevy pickup I used a late model GM electric fan that mounts on the outside of the radiator.I used a toggle switch with mine.Most better auto parts will have a temp.switch to turn it on automaticly. Rarely ever had to turn it on.Only needed it when I would sit in traffic for more than a few minutes.If You need the Hollander part numbers let Me know.
EvilDr235

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Two types of people drive old cars.Rich people because they want to and poor people because they have to.
Remember EvilDr235 has a cure for Your sixness.

I run a '62 261 in my '50 pickup with a 2000 CFM electric fan and thermostatic switch. The switch is adjustable and senses the radiator temperature. It works well, but the fan draws 15 amps so you need to run an alternator. If you haven't done so already, you can shorten the water pump shaft and use a shallower pulley. I use a 7" pulley from a Ford pickup that fits perfectly. I could run a mechanical fan but the water pump sits too low on the radiator and the electric fits well.

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1950 Chevy pickup with '62 261, 4 speed.

Thanks for the replys, guys!
I'm running an electric fan on a driver controled switch. The electric fan is mounted high on the radiator for heavy traffic driving and use of an a/c, but wanted to move as much air as possible with the engine fan which is low on the radiator.
I dropped by the local speed shop this afternoon and ordered a 416 FlexLite. We'll see how it does!
I appreciate the suggestions! Love the "B" board!!

I think that 416 will work well for you.
Its light weight and man it will pull some air. Rated for 8 thousand RPM if you spin your 6 that fast your fan is the least of your worries.


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Jason

http://home.wizard.org/twchevelle

Well, Jay, I appreciate the suggestion and I did get a 416 Flex-a-lite, but as soon as I saw it I knew it wouldn't work.
My 261 sits about 2" from the hub of the water pump pulley the fan bolts to and consequently that fan and any others I have considered up to now take too much space and won't fit. So, I'm still looking.
Thanks!

Boy did I get that maessage wrong!
What I meant to say is, the hub of the pulley on the water pump on the front of my 261 sits about 2" from the radiator and consequently the Flex-a-lite 416 would not fit in that 2" space. I haven't found anything that will except the stock fan.
Still looking!

I like the electric fan idea. i have a 261 in a 37 sedan. With no hood insulation and not such great firewall insulation the noise form the fan was so loud i couldn't hear myself think. I went to a bone yard and for about $15 got the biggest fan that would fit in front of the radiator. I tapped into the thermostat housing with a $8 fan switch from the auto parts store and a relay to handle the 15-20 amps. Works great and the fan almost never comes on. You got to have an alternator cause the generator won't put out enough amps. Good Luck Gael

I had the same problem with my 46 pickup/261, low water pump. The water pump is so low the fan will hit the bottom hose connection to the radiator. I was able to elongate the radiator mounting holes and slide the radiator down almost an inch. Still had to whittle down the aluminum, shallow flex fan from NAPA. Ultimate solution was to ad an electric fan with a toggle switch out front, which works great.
If and when I add an AC system, will go to a puller style fan and remove the fan on the water pump altogether. Also a shroud may help, have one off a 2 ton truck from the factory. Next hood I do is getting louvers also.

Some discussion of temp problems came up at Lodi. One tip I saw on a JIMMY, was to install a 'T' on the head where the temp sender goes and run a small hose back to the thermostat housing to improve water circulation. A great way to know for sure whats happening temp wise is to pick up an infra red temp gun.

Joe,

You may have better results with the 1000 series Flex-a-lite. The depth is 1-1/4" as opposed to 2" on the 400 series. THis is what I use on my GMC and the fit is still tight, but it clears the radiator with just enough room to replace a fan belt. It moves a lot more air than the stock fan and is still good for 8000 Rpm.

Jack -
Thank you for your input. I think you may have hit the nail on the head. 1 1/4" will fit in the space I have and a 17" fan will work. I appreciate it!!

Another solution to fan problems is a NAPA fan (P/N 823-1228) made out of fiberglass/carbon fiber. It is flat on the front face so that it does not go much further forward into the radiator than the front face of the water pump pulley. The blades then face to the rear about 1 1/2 inch. The nice thing about it is that it can be trimmed on the rear of the blades to clear things like the crank pulley if needed, trimmed to shorten if needed, etc. All that is needed is a strong pair of clippers or tin snips. The weight of the blade is so little that it really isn't a problem with balance as long as you are reasonably carefull to trim each blade about the same. I have used this fan on a couple of engines with good luck. At high RPM, it will pull forward some so they recommend a minimum of 3/4 inch clearance between the radiator core and the front of the fan. Also, be sure to use large flat washers under the bolts of if you have one of the short shaft pumps, usually they come with a disk to mount in front of the fan.

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A day without wine is like a day without sunshine.

Well, first of all, Presten, I agree about the wine!
I appreciate the input and I am planning on droping by the local NAPA store tomorrow.