I have finished my build on my 68 455 and decided to go with an electric fan out of a 1995 Lincoln Mark VIII. It is a two speed fan so I wired it up to the high speed wire and connected it to a manual switch. I also put a 100 AMP High Output alternator on there to accomidate the constant 30 amps I hear it pulls.

Ive been riding for a few days and it is great. I waited till the temp gets to about 230 degrees (numerous times)and turned the fan on. It cools to approx 190 in 1min 34sec. I know right! I timed it. This is my first time doing this so I dont know if that is good at all or even if its as great as I am making it sound.

With the fan on the temp never goes above 195.

Just thought I would share this

 

195 sounds reasonable.

230 sounds kinda hot I would turn it on at 200 and leave it on if it 'runs' at 195. or bettter yet hook it to a thermostat switch to turn on by itself...if its just threw a switch you should use a relay w it

BTW I dont think it draws 30 amps thats alotta current...is what I was going to write but a quick search shows indeed there are many fans availible that do draw that much current

 

Definitely run it through a relay. But you are better off using a temperature switch, and then you don't have to think about it. I set one up the way you did years ago and I burned up the switch while out on a cruise...no fans, and running hot...not a good feeling.

 

Not exact but close.

 

Wow, thats pretty good info. Thanks

 

Yes indeed 230 way too hot for the 455. These old bad boys run much better on the cool side. I have experienced on the high performance side of things you can get a little more timing out of cooler running 455. Either way sounds like you will fix it soon.