going electric

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Old Jan 2, 2015 | 08:46 AM
  #1  
billmerbach's Avatar
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major noob
 
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going electric

Well after figuring out not all gm fan clutches have the same bolt pattern I'm going to electric fans what should be the minimum cfm I should be looking at and are the eBay ones worth it I'm down for a while broke po'd so I've walked away before I break anything....needing suggestions I hear the mark 8s and Windstar fans are good for airflow

Last edited by billmerbach; Jan 2, 2015 at 08:55 AM.
Old Jan 2, 2015 | 09:27 AM
  #2  
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Why not just find out what clutch your car requires and get that, rather than open up a new big can of worms?
Rockauto can help find you the correct part number. Get one from them or maybe the local parts stores might have one in stock.
For a 350, just get a standard (non-HD) clutch for best drivability.
Old Jan 2, 2015 | 09:29 AM
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Cause eventually I was gonna go electric and after my screw up I'm just gonna go right in to the electric fans
Old Jan 2, 2015 | 09:36 AM
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Bill, just my opinion, why not get the car running, registered, and driving. Do the necessities to accomplish that, and then move on to the niceties. Remember needs before wants.
Old Jan 2, 2015 | 09:37 AM
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Electric Fans

I worked with the application of Spal fans before I retired.


The CFM rating for a lot of the pancake motor fans are at zero delta p, which means that the CFM is for the fan all by itself with no radiator up or downstream of the fan.


A CFM vs. delta P performance curve is required to evaluate two different fans.




On the fan clutch question, the fan that we'll be using has more than 100 applications, covering a broad range of brands and vehicle types.


Gerry
Old Jan 2, 2015 | 09:38 AM
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I know what your saying and that was my first option but its funny I try and do that and the MAWs appear....
Old Jan 2, 2015 | 09:52 AM
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Quit listening to the voices.
Old Jan 2, 2015 | 09:53 AM
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But its hard not too lol
Old Jan 2, 2015 | 10:11 AM
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My opinion is it will run you double to change over if not a bit more you need the fan the switch with relay you could run it all the time but I wouldn't
Old Jan 2, 2015 | 10:28 AM
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Some people didn't like what the Voice did say so I took the Voice and I locked it away...


Just seemed appropriate
Old Jan 2, 2015 | 11:52 AM
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Haha
Old Jan 2, 2015 | 11:58 AM
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putting used stock pieces on is cheap and super easy therefore fast
The factory engineered systems are effective. I thought you were on a low budget.
Old Jan 2, 2015 | 12:01 PM
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Someone lend this young man a 'Helmet'........
Old Jan 2, 2015 | 12:02 PM
  #14  
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I am this is all that's really needed on my car plus I'm going used aka Craigslist is I can if not I'll just get an el cheapo off eBay around 25 to 40 bucks
Old Jan 2, 2015 | 12:02 PM
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I'm assuming that was your maw randy lol
Old Jan 2, 2015 | 12:33 PM
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I'm running mechanical on one car, electrics on another, and a combo on a 3rd.
My advice
-Stick with mechanical fan if at all possible
-If you go electric, forget pretty much ALL ebay, generic electrics, Their cfm means nothing. Check amp ratings, probably a better indicator of flow.
-An average OEM GM/Ford dual fan can easily pull 60 amps. How big is your alternator? Not uncommon on these old cars to have only a 60 amp alternator.
-Use and OEM GM/Ford/Chrysler dual fan that fits your radiator. They typically flow A LOT of air, can be bought anywhere for around $100, and are super reliable. How big is your radiator?
Old Jan 2, 2015 | 02:31 PM
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You need a 100 amp alternator, 70 amp will be questionable. I run dual Dodge Stratus fans, move plenty of air and buy a decent relay setup. The cheap Derale ones burn out and the wiring falls apart.
Old Jan 2, 2015 | 04:44 PM
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Here's the deal, if you want to run an electric fan you'll need to upgrade the radiator too. I don't know if you have a aluminum radiator or not, but that helps. Every car I know of (from the factory) that came with a mech. fan that in later year the manufacturer went to electric fan(s) also increased the radiator size.
People think electric fans are the cure for over heating, most times they're the cause of over heating, especially in a custom set up.
Old Jan 2, 2015 | 05:44 PM
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I ditched my electric fan set up. I used them as pushers infront of the radiator. On the street I ran a mech fan and h20 pump. At the strip I would take the fan and pulley off and set up the morose electric drive for the water pump and used the electric fans. All that work to gain almost tenth in the 1/4 mile. I drove it once on the street like that and it ran hotter than I would have liked it too but not over heating. I ditched all that crap and went back to the stock stuff with a good clutch . Moral of the story you don't needit the stock stuff is fine. What would the reason for going electric be ?
Old Jan 2, 2015 | 06:53 PM
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I've got to thinking and you're right its too much work but I bought a Chevy clutch off a friend thinking hey it gm bolt patterns should be the same......wrong they aren't I drilled my fan.....should have been the first clue to my demise....then I went bolt it onto the pump and the holes on the clutch are closer tho the center than my pump holes....needless to say I threw things across the yard and walked to the store got 10 bucks worth of snack and ate
Old Jan 2, 2015 | 06:55 PM
  #21  
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Bill do you need the fan or the clutch maybe both ?
Old Jan 2, 2015 | 06:57 PM
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I do but I won't take handouts I can't keep doing that....yes its nice but my pride gets me there
Old Jan 3, 2015 | 07:18 AM
  #23  
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I figure I might be able to still use my fan even tho I widened the holes......dumb question but is that safe
Old Jan 3, 2015 | 07:41 AM
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Unless it's located by a center shaft hole, that might be a worse idea than the electrics.


Originally Posted by billmerbach
I figure I might be able to still use my fan even tho I widened the holes......dumb question but is that safe
Old Jan 3, 2015 | 07:42 AM
  #25  
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That's what I figured
Old Jan 3, 2015 | 07:50 AM
  #26  
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It also makes a difference if it came off of an engine that had a serp belt system, meaning the fan & clutch would turn counter clockwise. What did the clutch come off of?
Old Jan 3, 2015 | 07:54 AM
  #27  
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Never even took that into consideration clutch came off a serpentine setup but I used y olds fan to mod it to the clutch but it wouldn't bolt to the pump
Old Jan 3, 2015 | 08:11 AM
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Originally Posted by billmerbach
I do but I won't take handouts I can't keep doing that....yes its nice but my pride gets me there
Yeah, let it go
Think of it as helping folks like me out.
I literally have so much stuff that I can't find the good stuff anymore, tripping over heads, etc. For basically the price of postage you could have proper fitting correctish GM parts in your hand. No redrilling. No hassle. Huge time savings.

I would not miss a used fan clutch
Old Jan 3, 2015 | 08:36 AM
  #29  
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Trying to fix?

Bill, are the blades of just the fan still good or did they smack
a telephone pole when you launched them?
If it is, can you pay the ship for a good used clutch?
If yes, shoot me a pm, we'll work it out. Getting frustrated
doesn't help a damn thing. Been there, I'm a redhead so, yeah,
I get it.
Old Jan 3, 2015 | 08:40 AM
  #30  
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Idk when I'd be able to pay shipping I'm waiting on people to buy my stuff on eBay xD blades are still good tho lol
Old Jan 3, 2015 | 08:52 AM
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Originally Posted by billmerbach
I do but I won't take handouts I can't keep doing that....yes its nice but my pride gets me there
c'mon bill, you must know where to get some "shine" to trade
Old Jan 3, 2015 | 09:35 AM
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I have a extra fan and clutch from a Bbo, not sure of condition I wasn't planing on using it. If I can locate it this weekend and check over the fan to see if it's okay your more than welcome to have it. just pay shipping as it was most likely becoming garage art or scrap any ways

Your a great example to those around you. We all need help at some point just pay it forward.
Old Jan 3, 2015 | 11:43 AM
  #33  
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Well before I commit to anything I need to have the money to back it up
Old Jan 3, 2015 | 01:04 PM
  #34  
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You should not have blown that $10 on junk food....
Old Jan 3, 2015 | 01:08 PM
  #35  
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Yeaaaaa but it was gooood
Old Jan 3, 2015 | 03:50 PM
  #36  
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I've been thinking and I'll give into my pride
Old Jan 3, 2015 | 04:11 PM
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I have bought stuff on the buy now, pay later plan too. I have sold stuff like that as well. I don't count on the payment happening, but sometimes it does. I have been waiting years for a friend to pay for a 350 engine....
Old Jan 3, 2015 | 04:14 PM
  #38  
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Well I value my name so I'm good to my word...now it may take me a bit to sell and get the money but best believe I pay back what I owe and that doesn't sound like much of a friend to me lol
Old Jan 3, 2015 | 04:22 PM
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Another option may be see if any members/ friends near you will trade elbow grease for there spare parts/ cash for your project

I know your not near me, but I could use a hand cleaning shop and I am kind of a hoarder Lots of spare parts
I am sure there's lots of options

I admire your initiative toward your project ! Keep up the great work
Old Jan 3, 2015 | 04:24 PM
  #40  
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major noob
 
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There's only Chevy and ford boys here in Catawba county lol



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