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PostPosted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 6:40 pm 
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Joined: Fri Aug 02, 2002 9:20 pm
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Location: Copperas Cove, Texas
I've noticed for a while now that there's uneven airflow thru my radiator. I'm using a Speedway 19 x 22 unit. The pusher fan seems to force more air thru the upper, passenger side of the core. The upper, drivers side area seems to feel like a dead area. I haven't checked other areas of the core because i can't fit my hand/arm too low on the core without contacting moving parts and the basic fact that it's a tight area.

The weather around here has been around 50 degrees and the temp gage is reading extreme (140 to 200). I leading to believe that i need a mech fan with a shroud. The electric fan will cycle on and off between stop and go driving and steady cruising. If there were a constant flow of air thru the radiator, I think the thermostat would be more consistant. With the fan only working once the temp switch gets hot enough, the electric fan can't efficiently do the job.

Does this sound reasonable?

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Previous setup: 4.1 Buick V-6/TH 350
Current setup: 400 Small Block Chevy V-8/TH 350
9" ford rear end/short bed/blue
What do Water, Electricity and Humans have in common... They all travel the path of least resistance.


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PostPosted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 7:59 pm 
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Joined: Fri Aug 02, 2002 9:20 pm
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Location: Copperas Cove, Texas
I built a fan shroud and installed a 17" thin flex fan that i had in storage. Rewired the pusher electric fan to work independently so it will cycle on with the key off. I also replaced the 180 thermostat because i tried adding bleed holes in the old one.
After testing out the new setup, I was certian i was on the right track. I decided to go with a wide blade flex fan.
It was working out GOOD! Steady 170 temp reading in stop and go driving and Hwy cruising. The pusher fan didn't turn on until i parked the truck. It kicked on at 195 degrees and shut down at 180. I was Happy!
The next time i drove the truck, I accelerated hard up the road and the fan flexed and caught the edge of the radiator tank. The blades bent and cut a gouge into the core.
My big mistake was going with a 17" wide blade fan. The thin blade fan didn't grab as much air so flex was minimal and the bigger fan is angled toward the radiator. There's almost a half inch clearance lost between the two fans
I got a new Speedway radiator just like the old one and a 16" wide blade flex fan. I got 1.30 " clearance between the fan blades and the core after modifying the mounts, valance, and grill.

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Previous setup: 4.1 Buick V-6/TH 350
Current setup: 400 Small Block Chevy V-8/TH 350
9" ford rear end/short bed/blue
What do Water, Electricity and Humans have in common... They all travel the path of least resistance.


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PostPosted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 12:35 am 
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Joined: Fri Sep 20, 2002 12:49 am
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Location: North Mississippi
Glad you got it worked out. Good information here.


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PostPosted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 1:29 pm 
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Joined: Fri Aug 02, 2002 9:20 pm
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Location: Copperas Cove, Texas
Here's a pic of the fan shroud with the small flex fan before the core got mangled. It's made out of aluminum L-angle and plexiglass. Maximum consistant heat temperature that plexi can withstand is 200 degrees. I'm going to keep an eye on the stuff. I can always finish it out with aluminum later on.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f324/ ... oud003.jpg

_________________
Previous setup: 4.1 Buick V-6/TH 350
Current setup: 400 Small Block Chevy V-8/TH 350
9" ford rear end/short bed/blue
What do Water, Electricity and Humans have in common... They all travel the path of least resistance.


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PostPosted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 2:30 pm 
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Joined: Fri Sep 20, 2002 12:49 am
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Location: North Mississippi
that looks good!


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PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 11:33 am 
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Joined: Fri Aug 02, 2002 9:20 pm
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Location: Copperas Cove, Texas
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f324/ ... 22/003.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f324/ ... 22/007.jpg

Here's the final assy. No air can get around the radiator. The top closeout panel really helps. The sides are simple sheets of sheetmetal with 90 degree bends. Foam seals up against the tanks.

Now i can concern myself with other stuff to do to the truck.

_________________
Previous setup: 4.1 Buick V-6/TH 350
Current setup: 400 Small Block Chevy V-8/TH 350
9" ford rear end/short bed/blue
What do Water, Electricity and Humans have in common... They all travel the path of least resistance.


Top
 Profile  
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