Adding electric fans?

[lt1kicker]

Hey all.  I've got a pair of factory Electric fans from a 95 Caprice 9C1 in my garage left over from my parts car.  I was wondering if maybe my old truck wouldn't benefit from these.  I thought I could mount them in front of the radiator as a pusher drawing cold air thru the radiator, or eliminate the old mechanical fan and install these in it's place.  This truck will be doing some plowing so I figure the cooling could use all the help it can get. 

[Stewart G Griffin]

If you're going to be doing plowing, i feel, that you want to keep the stock fan.

Although they take more power than electrics, the stock waterpump fan brings in more air. 

You need that for low speed operations.

[lt1kicker]

Ok.  Would I stand to gain much cooling vs. electrical strain if I added the electric fans to supplement the mechanical fan?

[VileZambonie]

Ok.  Would I stand to gain much cooling vs. electrical strain if I added the electric fans to supplement the mechanical fan?

say what? 

[Lt.Del]

The air will go only as fast as the last fan to hit it b4 the engine.

If your boat had two props, one right in front of the other, do you think the boat will go faster?



Besides, there will be clearance issue with stock fan AND electric fan, unless you have some type of pusher fan in front of the radiator.

[Stewart G Griffin]

I don't think you'd gain much because the fans would sort of be interfering with each other and could be creating turbulence.

Of course, you could always try it and keep an eye on the temp gauge.

If you're really that concerned about heat, you may want to try raising up the hood a little in the back----where it meets the cowl.  This will help disapate heat.    Or try louvers.

You might want to try something called "40 below."  It's an additive that you put in the rad that works quite well.

[Blazin]

I have used Water Wetter before. It helps keep the water temp down too. I plow 40 driveways and have used about every full size Chevy with all different motor, radiator combos and have never had to many overheating problems. When I have had problems is at high speeds with the plow up, between driveways driving. But that was when my 86 only had a two core radiator and it was in rough shape.

[lt1kicker]

What I mean is to mount these fans in a pusher fashion in front of the radiator to help pull air into the front of the radiator and let the OEM fan do the rest.  I have one on my 95 Caprice show car, since we use it in funerals, memorial services, and car shows, it sits a lot and runs.  This fan supplements the dual electrics in a way.

[VileZambonie]

If you are going to use the OEM fan the pusher fan isn't necessary. If you just want better cooling you're better off with a larger radiator.

[Stewart G Griffin]

First of all, what kind of fan do you have right now?  Fixed or clutch?

Are you having temp problems when you plow or are you just concerned?

[lt1kicker]

just a concern.

[Stewart G Griffin]

You can always try it;  It may work.  Hopefully you have a temp gauge?

I'm assuming you have a fixed fan on there right now?   If that's the case, it uses alot of HP.  A clutch-type fan would probably be best for your application.

I don't know what to tell you as i have no plowing experience.  I know summit has a bolt in aluminum radiator for about $279 which should reduce temps a bit.  The other thing is, again, "40 below" works quite well.  Summit sells that as well.  I think pep boys too.

Turn your heater on full blast and roll your windows down if nessesary.  I think that tends to help reduce temperatures.

My idea of raising the hood in the rear tends to work well for disapating some of the heat.

[Stewart G Griffin]

The other thing you could do is add an oil cooler and then put your electric fans on that.   This should reduce engine temps by 20-30 deg.

[dumbucket1]

just for your information my 07 gmc sierra 1/2 ton with the 5.3 v8 has 2 electric fans, my guess gm put them there in place of a mechanical fan for gas mileage.

[Stewart G Griffin]

That's fine and probably better overall.  But i'm just saying for plowing or low speed operation, a crank driven clutch fan brings in more air than an electric.


NOTE: i'm eventually going to replace my clutch fan with an electric or 2 because i really don't see much city driving.  This should raise MPG up a little.  Not to mention clearing up underhood space a heck of alot.