|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
04-14-2021, 12:12 AM | #1 |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 74
|
Electric fan over a belted fan
Any opinions about running an electric fan and omitting the belted fan? Horsepower savings? Electric fans are crap?
|
04-14-2021, 03:52 AM | #2 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: East Shore of LAKE HOUSTON
Posts: 11,106
|
Re: Electric fan over a belted fan
Quote:
OK, I'll bite! As "someone" once famously said: "Electric fans are crap!" Resorting to using an ELECTRIC fan because you can't figure-out how to employ a mechanical (Belt-driven) fan, is just as bad as taking your little sister to the prom......'cuz you couldn't get a real date! So, I really speak from experience...(the FAN part, NOT the sister part). Click this link (BELOW) for a thread I posted some time back on the 'Barn describing how fellow 'Barner "Heard" and myself designed and built a mechanical fan to fit his 1936 Ford coupe with an 8BA engine, which leaves precious LITTLE room for a mechanical fan because of the radiator leaning-back on '35 & '36 Fords. DD https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=278828 ........ |
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
04-14-2021, 04:01 AM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Lancaster PA
Posts: 527
|
Re: Electric fan over a belted fan
How noisy is that compared to a stock 36 fan? I'd like to reduce the highway speed fan noise.
|
04-14-2021, 04:07 AM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 1,423
|
Re: Electric fan over a belted fan
I'm using an electric fan because I don't really have a choice. I'm running a supercharger so there's no real way to get a fan set-up in there. My 2 cents
|
04-14-2021, 06:39 AM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Chester Vt
Posts: 8,842
|
Re: Electric fan over a belted fan
I have an electric fan in the roadster.
|
04-14-2021, 07:02 AM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: ohio
Posts: 986
|
Re: Electric fan over a belted fan
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
|
04-14-2021, 07:05 AM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Solihull, England.
Posts: 8,732
|
Re: Electric fan over a belted fan
I like electric fans as long as they are:
1, not overly "on show". 2, not too noisy. I have 4 early fords and they all have electric fans. My observations are: 1, you hardly ever need to use them (in the Uk climate) 2, you don't even need one when the carb is moving along. 3, it saves the mech fan noise when moving along at higher speeds. 4, it saves engine power. So with apologies to my learned fellow board contributors, I prefer them. Mart. |
04-14-2021, 07:26 AM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 136
|
Re: Electric fan over a belted fan
There was an interesting test on horsepower draw using various fan types on you tube (believe it was motor wars). Dyno tests showed the "flex" type fan, as used by Coopman showed the worst fan for horsepower loss. The least loss was from the viscous type fan which is basically a temperature driven clutch type fan. Back in the day I ran a flex fan on my SS/H Cobra Jet after removing the clutch fan. My best time was 11.56 at 112 mph. Wish I still had that car, I sold it in 1975 when you couldn't give those cars away for $1000.00. Probably could have shaved 1/10 second if I left the stock one on.
|
04-14-2021, 07:28 AM | #9 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Pahrump, NV
Posts: 372
|
Re: Electric fan over a belted fan
Quote:
6, very difficult to find a modern car (since mid '90s) without one. Hmm, I wonder what "they" know?? |
|
04-14-2021, 07:53 AM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,171
|
Re: Electric fan over a belted fan
hotrodcbx>>>Dyno tests showed the "flex" type fan, as used by Coopman showed the worst fan for horsepower loss.>>>
Wasn't it Ralph Nader who also once famously claimed these fans were unsafe at any speed? Or was that some other part? Jack E/NJ |
04-14-2021, 11:16 AM | #11 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: East Shore of LAKE HOUSTON
Posts: 11,106
|
Re: Electric fan over a belted fan
Quote:
That's interesting! "PeterC" has that big ol' S.Co.T. / Italmeccanica Supercharger mounted in his gorgeous '35 3-window, and has managed to squeeze-in this big ol' six bladed "Commercial" fan. DD ........ |
|
04-14-2021, 11:47 AM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: upstate NY
Posts: 475
|
Re: Electric fan over a belted fan
Electric fans will do the job if you don't have a way to install a mechanical one. All depends if you want a nostalgia look or not. I was able to squeeze a mechanical fan in on my 32 with an blown 8ba.
Lets see pictures of what you have. |
04-14-2021, 11:58 AM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 6,144
|
Re: Electric fan over a belted fan
Bobby Green of Old Crow Speed Shop took 1/2 of the metal blade guard from an old fashion house fan to make a "cover" for an electric fan. That simple addition made it look old timey. I thought it was a neat solution in helping to hide the modern looks.
|
04-14-2021, 12:09 PM | #14 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: East Shore of LAKE HOUSTON
Posts: 11,106
|
Re: Electric fan over a belted fan
Quote:
Now that is a somewhat interesting approach. MY problem with the electrics is that they stick-out like a sore thumb, and drastically take-away from any nostalgic look of a traditional hot rod. They just look like a "crutch', or an afterthought.....to me. Now, the SOUND produced by electrics.....that's a whole 'nuther issue! DD |
|
04-14-2021, 12:20 PM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Pa.
Posts: 2,161
|
Re: Electric fan over a belted fan
I use both, electric on a thermo switch set & 200. Only comes on at stop lites & stop & go traffic. I went with a push type Spal behind the grill in front of radiator, you can’t even see it. I have manual shutoff so it doesn’t run with ignition off. I like it😁!
__________________
Nomad |
04-14-2021, 01:34 PM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Lake worth Florida
Posts: 1,073
|
Re: Electric fan over a belted fan
Electric and mechanical. Good thing about electric , blades hardly ever come off , at least thats what I hear . I guess anything is possible but if a electric fan blade comes off , I doubt itll leave a dent in your hood .
|
04-14-2021, 01:35 PM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Chester Vt
Posts: 8,842
|
Re: Electric fan over a belted fan
serpentine belt drive for ad and PS
|
04-14-2021, 03:58 PM | #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 1,423
|
Re: Electric fan over a belted fan
My belt tensioner for the blower sits right where the fan would go. No can do!
Last edited by jrvariel48; 04-15-2021 at 03:04 PM. Reason: spelling |
04-15-2021, 08:28 AM | #19 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 8,937
|
Re: Electric fan over a belted fan
Quote:
Ralph had the testicular fortitude to bring that information to the public.
__________________
"I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you". |
|
04-15-2021, 09:37 AM | #20 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: NW Arkansas
Posts: 523
|
Re: Electric fan over a belted fan
Yeah. Ralph is my hero. Wish we had more like him. No. Wait. We do! I drove a Corvair and a Pinto for years and somehow managed to survive.
|
04-15-2021, 09:44 AM | #21 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 8,937
|
Re: Electric fan over a belted fan
So did most people that drove those two (examples) of cars. That doesn't negate the fact that they were sold to the public KNOWING they had extremely serious issues with safety.
__________________
"I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you". Last edited by Kube; 04-15-2021 at 07:52 PM. |
04-15-2021, 10:15 AM | #22 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys
Posts: 10,260
|
Re: Electric fan over a belted fan
I had a '61 Monza coupe from new. I experienced the dreaded "swing axle tuck under and spin out" personally. I wiped out the right side of the car on a tree on the left side of the road. Luckily, I wasn't hurt and the car still drove, so I was able to get home. It did quite a bit of damage, however. I drove that car another couple of years. Except for a non-functioning door on the passenger side (a decided disadvantage in a coupe), it worked fine.
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
04-15-2021, 06:40 PM | #23 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: NW Arkansas
Posts: 523
|
Re: Electric fan over a belted fan
Quote:
"Come on man. Gimmie a break!" [/QUOTE] I fully understand. I said Ralphie is my hero! |
|
04-15-2021, 07:33 PM | #24 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 8,937
|
Re: Electric fan over a belted fan
I fully understand. I said Ralphie is my hero![/QUOTE]
Thanks for the smiles. I needed that after a day in the shop. Enjoy your evening!
__________________
"I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you". |
04-15-2021, 08:36 PM | #25 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Aliaga,Turkey
Posts: 77
|
Re: Electric fan over a belted fan
Ef ftw
__________________
"Sometimes he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy, the sort of general malaise that only the genius possess and the insane lament." |
04-16-2021, 08:14 AM | #26 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 139
|
Re: Electric fan over a belted fan
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
As far as electric fans, the aftermarket has some good stuff and some junk. On every electric fan conversion I have done, I have used OEM fans. They are tested to last hundreds of thousands of miles and replacement motors are available at any auto parts store in the country if needed. Now, you do have to have a good alternator to run them. This one is an early Taurus 2-speed fan. I have also used Lincoln LS, dual Corvette, dual Contour and a few others on different projects over the years. I tried a cheap aftermarket once but it didn't cool much at all. |
04-16-2021, 10:57 PM | #27 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Reno
Posts: 171
|
Re: Electric fan over a belted fan
I have an Electric Fan in my ARDUN equipped 53, 33 coupe and 34 tub. All work great. Coupe has a 5.0 HO with a Holley Terminator System that controls the fan nicely. The others have a thermostat control with an override switch.
|
04-17-2021, 08:19 AM | #28 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 5,012
|
Re: Electric fan over a belted fan
The 35 Coupe with the SCOT setup and fan is really nicely done - but he has the room to do it. It would be really hard to fit all of that into a 32 - 34 car - there just isn't all that much room to fit all of that in . . . but hey, worth a try!
|
04-18-2021, 07:27 PM | #29 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 2,687
|
Re: Electric fan over a belted fan
Ive been running an electric fan for years of daily driving , works fine does what its supposed to do. I think the main reason I put it on was the original hung off a 12 volt alternator and I dont think the bearings in it where designed for all that extra whizzin' around..
I also run electronic ignition and central locking .. I must be a bad person ..
__________________
"Came too close to dying to stop living now!" |
04-19-2021, 03:18 AM | #30 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: East Shore of LAKE HOUSTON
Posts: 11,106
|
Re: Electric fan over a belted fan
Quote:
On PeterC's gorgeous '35, you THINK there's plenty of room. One thing that everyone should know about THAT '35 coupe....it is a well-thought-out and precisely-engineered piece of 'art'! The number of subtle, nearly undetectable modifications and tweaks is off the chart on that car. I happen to know that Peter moved the engine rearward nearly 1/2" during the build. He also modified an aluminum, H&H-supplied S.Co.T. blower idler arm for the fan mount, which essentially lowers the fan and moves it rearward just like our home-brewed rig does on Heard's coupe. You can see the extreme angle of the radiator, plus the lack of space with the stock '35 in top picture. Second pic shows the angle again, as well as the limited amount of space between top of fan and radiator in Heard's '36 utilizing the rig we built. DD '36 with 24-Stud "59"-Type Engine BELOW Heard's Coupe with 8BA/Modified Fan Mount BELOW ........ |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|