Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Early V8 (1932-53)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-25-2019, 04:40 PM   #1
3739ford
Senior Member
 
3739ford's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Dothan, AL
Posts: 325
Default 3 blades verses 6

Hey Guys,

Wanted to see if there would be an advantage/need of putting the 6 blade fan in place of the 3. I have no idea if the 3 blade would be just fine that is why I'm asking. This is a 276 in. with skip rebuilt water pumps and shewman 180 degree thermostats. I was planning on using a shroud also. Now would be a good time since I can get to everything easy and I could cut apart and mount. I know I could just buy a flex fan, but no fun in that.

All responses appreciated both positive or negative and both informative and not.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 3 blade fan.jpg (163.7 KB, 65 views)
File Type: jpg 6 blade fan.jpg (69.3 KB, 47 views)
File Type: jpg 6 blade side view.jpg (168.7 KB, 44 views)
3739ford is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2019, 05:11 PM   #2
ford38v8
Senior Member
 
ford38v8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 6,616
Default Re: 3 blades verses 6

The 6 blade fans sound like an airplane taking off. They also chew up your horsepower to make that noise. The 180 thermostats are good, and the shroud is by far the best thing you can do.
__________________
Alan
ford38v8 is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 12-25-2019, 05:46 PM   #3
Kurt in NJ
Senior Member
 
Kurt in NJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: on the Littlefield
Posts: 6,140
Default Re: 3 blades verses 6

That 6 blade fan looks a lot like the crankshaft mounted fan from like a 40 would have
Kurt in NJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2019, 06:02 PM   #4
19Fordy
Senior Member
 
19Fordy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Coral Springs FL
Posts: 10,873
Default Re: 3 blades verses 6

Use the stock fan. Henry knew best. Just for the fun of it you could do a Google search on fan design regarding number of blades and blade pitch to see which moves the most air at idle and at speed.
I found the following re: ceiling fans.
"When a fan has fewer blades, there is less drag on the motor and it can go faster and move more air more efficiently. This results in much more airflow and will create a better wind chill effect, making your space feel cooler."
19Fordy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2019, 06:27 PM   #5
3739ford
Senior Member
 
3739ford's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Dothan, AL
Posts: 325
Default Re: 3 blades verses 6

I have no idea what the 6 blade fan fits it is in my pile of "don't know" flathead parts. I suppose I could go with electric fan, or leave it like it is.

http://www.griffinrad.com/tips.php
3739ford is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2019, 07:42 PM   #6
flatford8
Senior Member
 
flatford8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Lyman,ME.
Posts: 2,612
Default Re: 3 blades verses 6

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
I’ve been looking for an “at speed” vibration in my ‘50 Fordor. It had a 6-blade flex fan on it. I swapped it out for a 3-blade stock fan and noticed no over heating issues and it was quieter than before.....Mark
__________________
I'm thinkin' about crankin'
My ragged ol' truck up
and haulin' myself into town.
Billy Joe Shaver
flatford8 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2019, 08:30 PM   #7
aussie merc
Senior Member
 
aussie merc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: sydney australia
Posts: 1,025
Default Re: 3 blades verses 6

different fans mounted in different locations doing the same job we need to look at the whole picture . both work otherwise they wouldn't have made it into production . the crank mounted fan needs to be bigger as only 2/3rds of it actually aline with the core so even if its not obvious there's always a reason
aussie merc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2019, 09:58 PM   #8
Charlie ny
BANNED
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,019
Default Re: 3 blades verses 6

3739,
The shroud man, with the 3 blade fan. Fit the shroud close to the fan diameter.
Charlie ny
Charlie ny is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2019, 10:02 PM   #9
51 MERC-CT
Senior Member
 
51 MERC-CT's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: East Hartford, Ct
Posts: 5,898
Default Re: 3 blades verses 6

Quote:
Originally Posted by 3739ford View Post
Hey Guys,

This is a 276 in. with skip rebuilt water pumps and shewman 180 degree thermostats.

All responses appreciated both positive or negative and both informative and not.
If you are using Skip's pumps with the improved impeller it is my understanding that he says not to use thermostats with his pumps in the instructions that come with them
__________________
DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES
51 MERC-CT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2019, 10:11 PM   #10
19Fordy
Senior Member
 
19Fordy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Coral Springs FL
Posts: 10,873
Default Re: 3 blades verses 6

I use Skips pumps and the early MCF heads which were designed not to use thermostats.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_9115b.jpg (81.1 KB, 40 views)
19Fordy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2019, 11:01 PM   #11
3739ford
Senior Member
 
3739ford's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Dothan, AL
Posts: 325
Default Re: 3 blades verses 6

Had the water pumps done a year ago and don't remember getting instructions with them. Great info, thanks guys. I will use the 3 blade fan with a longer belt to raise the fan up to hit on the core of the radiator. I will remove the thermostats and keep them safe.

Thanks guys,
3739ford is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-26-2019, 03:46 AM   #12
Ziggster
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Ottawa, ON
Posts: 840
Default Re: 3 blades verses 6

A six bladed fan will definitely move more air. It will take more horsepower to do so, and will likely make more noise depending on its fan blade shape. The bigger, more powerful the engine, the more the reject heat will be. So, yes, in theory, you will need a "larger" cooling system to deal with the delta in reject heat. That typically would require more water flow, a larger heat exchanger, and more airflow. However, you would start with the one variable that was your limiting factor in the first place
Ziggster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-26-2019, 04:42 AM   #13
flatheadmurre
Senior Member
 
flatheadmurre's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Sweden
Posts: 3,045
Default Re: 3 blades verses 6

First do you plan on running a fan shroud ?
That 3 blade fan is designed and works well without one...so it has an advantage right there compared to a truckfan.
The modern flexblade fans are designed to use with a shroud...most fans that have a straightcut edge are performing best running against a shroud.
Flow in the system isnīt dictating the fan...itīs more about Power/effiency of the engine that sets the need for cooling...and the the core itself how much suction you actually need to pull the air through it.
You can have a fan that pulls a lot of air but if it canīt handle a thick core it wonīt work in the end.
So Flow of air and static pressure is the 2 things you need to calculate.
flatheadmurre is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-26-2019, 07:20 AM   #14
mfirth
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: ohio
Posts: 986
Default Re: 3 blades verses 6

I don't know what vehicle you're dealing with, but i have a friend with a 38 Ford car who runs no fan at all & has NO overheating issues. My 8ba with 400 Offy heads, Max 1 cam in a 52 Victoria has 180 stats & runs GR8 with a 3 blade....no over heating. My 2 cents, or, nonsense......
mfirth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-26-2019, 09:24 AM   #15
3739ford
Senior Member
 
3739ford's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Dothan, AL
Posts: 325
Default Re: 3 blades verses 6

Mfirth, this is all going into a 1939 Ford Pickup 1/2 ton. It has taken 2 years to get this far, and another 2 to 3 to get the body ready. I have to cut out some rust and weld in new panels. The welding I can do, but I have never worked with fiberglass/bondo going to broaden my horizons for sure.

Just trying to tap into experience here and see what works and what doesn't. Everything is easy to get to right now.

Thank you,
3739ford is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-26-2019, 09:41 AM   #16
marko39
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: harpursville ny
Posts: 1,038
Default Re: 3 blades verses 6

Quote:
Originally Posted by flatheadmurre View Post
First do you plan on running a fan shroud ?
That 3 blade fan is designed and works well without one...so it has an advantage right there compared to a truckfan.
The modern flexblade fans are designed to use with a shroud...most fans that have a straightcut edge are performing best running against a shroud.
Flow in the system isnīt dictating the fan...itīs more about Power/effiency of the engine that sets the need for cooling...and the the core itself how much suction you actually need to pull the air through it.
You can have a fan that pulls a lot of air but if it canīt handle a thick core it wonīt work in the end.
So Flow of air and static pressure is the 2 things you need to calculate.
You are correct about airflow and static pressure. Although fan cfm and total static pressure cannot be measured in this situation, fan air velocity could.What you want is the highest velocity of airflow through the inlet of radiator. This can be measured with a velometer.
marko39 is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 12-26-2019, 10:34 AM   #17
oldskool
Senior Member
 
oldskool's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: shirley ny
Posts: 992
Default Re: 3 blades verses 6

I had a 40 pu w/8ba w/6 blade fan very noisy in 1st and 2nd but ok in hi gear,ran ice cold even in traffic
oldskool is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-26-2019, 12:35 PM   #18
Ross F-1
Senior Member
 
Ross F-1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NM
Posts: 2,438
Default Re: 3 blades verses 6

I am running a 3-blade fan with shroud in my 52 pickup, 4-row radiator, +.060 EAB. No overheating whatsoever in 100 degree weather, slow traffic or highway speed.

My biggest concern with fans is that they are all very old, and throwing a blade is getting more and more likely.
__________________
'52 F-1, EAB flathead
Ross F-1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-26-2019, 01:08 PM   #19
PeterC
Senior Member
 
PeterC's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 855
Default Re: 3 blades verses 6

Quote:
Originally Posted by ford38v8 View Post
The 6 blade fans sound like an airplane taking off. They also chew up your horsepower to make that noise. The 180 thermostats are good, and the shroud is by far the best thing you can do.

I run a 6 blade with fan close to the radiator cooling a high horse 284 cu flathead. works like a charm and quite honestly the noise level of the fan is not noticeable - yes I have mufflers.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_20141026_143950.jpg (22.8 KB, 29 views)
File Type: jpg PICT0040.jpg (98.2 KB, 37 views)
File Type: jpg PETER_MARTIN_010.jpg (68.5 KB, 33 views)
PeterC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-26-2019, 02:47 PM   #20
51 MERC-CT
Senior Member
 
51 MERC-CT's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: East Hartford, Ct
Posts: 5,898
Default Re: 3 blades verses 6

Adapted a 7 blade '70's vintage Ford flex fan. It's quiet and pumps a lot of air. So much so that I removed the shroud that was installed as it really did not need it.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg dd.jpg (366.4 KB, 105 views)
__________________
DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES
51 MERC-CT is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:57 PM.