6v Electric Fan Install Info

[stan35]

My friend asked me to post the following request for his '36 Ford. He would like to know as much as possible regarding the installation of an electric fan. Best location,diameter of fan, wiring suggestions, amp draw, etc. Any info is appreciated. Stan.

[Charlie ny]

stan,
A 35 generator with a cutout.......35 or 40 amps.....yikes. In my experience
he will be able to choose.........fire the spark plugs or run the fan.
Charlie ny

[Kahuna]

I think as Charlie is implying, an electric fan takes a bunch of current.
A fan big enough to cool his car will at least need 20 running amps.
A bunch more at startup.
If the car is 6 volt, there might be an issue
Charlie, I like the analogy: (Plugs or Fan) Cute
Jim

[V8COOPMAN]

We (Heard Saxon and myself) had a similar situation. Do yourself a favor and bite the bullet. We built this mechanical fan for his '36 3-W coupe, taking into account the rearward-sloping radiator. Careful measurements, making and fitting some dummy pieces first, along with a little machine work and this baby cools a healthy flatty in Florida. Click the link below and read POST #12 for the story with more pics. DD


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...mechanical+fan

[Kahuna]

Back to Charlie's analogy:
Might be a unique driving experience.
Car drives fine, engine stalls as fan engages, car slowly returns to normal (maybe).
Fan turns off, for now, then restarts as car gets really warm (car again stalls, then car starts running badly as fan now is running constantly and draining battery faster than it can be refreshed).
Car is now on the side of the road.
Owner checks electrical system. All is OK. Owner checks coil. Coil is hot, buy new coil.
New coil is not the fix. buy new condenser. No fix. buy new carb, etc.

[V8COOPMAN]

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Originally Posted by Kahuna

Back to Charlie's analogy:
Might be a unique driving experience.
Car drives fine, engine stalls as fan engages, car slowly returns to normal (maybe).
Fan turns off, for now, then restarts as car gets really warm (car again stalls, then car starts running badly as fan now is running constantly and draining battery faster than it can be refreshed).
Car is now on the side of the road.
Owner checks electrical system. All is OK. Owner checks coil. Coil is hot, buy new coil.
New coil is not the fix. buy new condenser. No fix. buy new carb, etc.

You make GOOD point! Imagine this group trying to diagnose that scenario across the WWW. DD

[G.M.]

Originally Posted by stan35

My friend asked me to post the following request for his '36 Ford. He would like to know as much as possible regarding the installation of an electric fan. Best location,diameter of fan, wiring suggestions, amp draw, etc. Any info is appreciated. Stan.

If a electric fan is installed put a 6 volt alternator on also. G.M.

[RKS.PA]

Originally Posted by G.M.

If a electric fan is installed put a 6 volt alternator on also. G.M.

Agree with G.M. Put a "pusher" fan in front of the radiator on my '39 to help with parades etc. 6 volt alternator provided plenty of power to run everything....electric fuel pump, etc.

[J Witt]

Same result: with alternator and 6V fan there is enough current for everything, fan, ignition, headlights,fuel pump and brake lights. Mine is 14 inch fan mounted as pusher in front of radiator. Never found enough space to put it behind the radiator. The only downside is that the radiator must be removed to mount the fan. I used a foam strip around the outer rim of the fan to ensure all the air goes through the radiator. All this was with a stock original radiator.


Good luck

[42guy]

I used an alternator and installed electric fan and retained 6 volt system. Make sure you use a relay to run fan. I have no problems.

[Charlie Stephens]

Originally Posted by stan35

My friend asked me to post the following request for his '36 Ford. He would like to know as much as possible regarding the installation of an electric fan. Best location,diameter of fan, wiring suggestions, amp draw, etc. Any info is appreciated. Stan.

Hate to change the subject but why not use the mechanical one that came with the car? Maybe if we had the rest of the story there might be a better solution. If he has an overheating problem maybe we can solve it. If he has a later engine with no room then there is not much we can do.

Charlie Stephens

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens

Hate to change the subject but why not use the mechanical one that came with the car? Maybe if we had the rest of the story there might be a better solution. If he has an overheating problem maybe we can solve it. If he has a later engine with no room then there is not much we can do.

Charlie Stephens

True Charlie, Stan35 never mentioned engine type. But if it is an 8BA-type, the whole world changes on the front of the late engines, just enough that almost NOTHING will just bolt together using Ford parts. Plus...That radiator leaning back really makes it right at top. DD