1968 Cutlass
July 11th, 2018, 04:26 PM
#1
OLDS455
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: SUNNY CA
Posts: 3
1968 Cutlass
Hello everyone, I just picked up a 1968 Cutlass S 350 4speed. Wondering what is the best and easiest electric fan to purchase and install to keep temp down. Summers are usually over 100 here and I love driving it.
Thanks
Thanks
July 11th, 2018, 04:37 PM
#3
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
If it's a stock car, and delivered to CA originally it probably has HD cooling which includes a fan shroud and clutch on the fan. Other than that you really shouldn't need to do anything to keep the temps down. Check the radiator for crud inside, and if it's looking ugly, drain it and have it flushed/then pressure tested. Those are the common and easy fixes that usually work.
July 11th, 2018, 04:49 PM
#4
OLDS455
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: SUNNY CA
Posts: 3
July 11th, 2018, 06:53 PM
#8
Administrator
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Poteau, Ok
Posts: 40,519
July 11th, 2018, 07:31 PM
#9
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 63
Ah yes, I remember being "proactive". It seemed like every time I decided to go looking for trouble, I found it! If ain't broke, don't fix it. An Olds will stay cool if you have all the good parts; 4 row radiator, shroud and clutch fan in good condition with the timing set properly. Jussayin.
July 12th, 2018, 07:04 AM
#10
Old(s) Fart
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 47,259
The best and easiest "electric" fan is the stock mechanical clutch fan. These cars were tested at the GM Desert Proving Grounds in Arizona at temperatures well over 100 deg. They did not overheat. Why do you think you have to do something different?
July 12th, 2018, 07:28 AM
#11
Administrator
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Poteau, Ok
Posts: 40,519
Also to answer your question, there are many late model fans that adapt easily and work well that are inexpensive at your local wrecking yard. Be sure to get the controller, temp sensor, and wiring. There are also a multitude of cooling fans advertised to adapt at low $'s to the gold plated hi $'s.
Here is some reading:
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...archid=4310326
Here is some reading:
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...archid=4310326
July 12th, 2018, 08:02 AM
#12
Old(s) Fart
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 47,259
Also to answer your question, there are many late model fans that adapt easily and work well that are inexpensive at your local wrecking yard. Be sure to get the controller, temp sensor, and wiring. There are also a multitude of cooling fans advertised to adapt at low $'s to the gold plated hi $'s.
Here is some reading:
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...archid=4310326
Here is some reading:
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...archid=4310326
I'll still argue that rather than wasting time and money on an electric fan that will only mask the real problem, why not find out what is really causing the overheating and fix THAT?
July 12th, 2018, 08:14 AM
#13
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Seneca Falls, NY
Posts: 5,258
Put a shroud on it and that's probably all you need to do. My 68 with a 455, four speed, and a single core aluminum radiator runs at 180 degree well up into the high 90's. If the shroud doesn't work the problem is something else.
July 14th, 2018, 09:50 AM
#14
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: central Indiana
Posts: 5,231
i agree, a good quality radiator, fan shroud, factory thermal clutch and factory 7 blade fan should be all that’s needed. And if the radiator needs to be replaced, upgrade to a good aluminum radiator.
If if you are determined to use an electric fan, I would suggest a fan from a late model car or truck. Most of the aftermarket fans have seriously inflated advertised airflow ratings. Find a fan (or fans) with a shroud that covers as much of the radiator as possible, make sure not to cut corners on the wiring (some big fans can pull 70-80 amps on startup) and use a good quality fan controller to activate it.
Some people just just have to have the whirring sound of a electric fan. If electric fans could pull as much air as a engine driven fan, you can be certain there would be a electric fan on my Dodge Ram with the Cummins engine. It’s a engine driven fan with an electric clutch, talk about a wind storm when that kicks on! I have been in heavy traffic, in 100 degree heat, with a trailer and the A/C going, you can hear the roar over the noisy engine and all the other big trucks. around.
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