Keeping it cool

[Carrots]

I've recently had a vintage air system put into my '72. The 16" flex fan that the shop put in is far from sufficient, and I've since added a shroud into the mix. I'm still running around far to hot.

I'm considering either replacing the flex fan with a single thermal clutch fan or a single (maybe even double) electric fan. I've just put a new 850/1000 battery in and so I would think that I'll have enough power for either.  I'm pretty sure I don't want a non thermal clutch fan, although I'm no expert.

I live in Houston and will be driving the car regularly so I'd much rather over do it than under do it, but want the next addition to actually do the job. We have heat, humidity and traffic and even the shortest trip can be tricky at the moment. Presently I'm loosing a lot of coolant as its regularly getting too hot under there and putting it out through the overflow. I'm pretty sure I don't have any leaky rad tubes and its just bubbling out/over. Whilst it's kinda crucial to get this sorted I am on a budget and so $50-$75 a thermal CF would seem to be ideal. Will it do the job though?

Advice would be appreciated.

Thanks folks

[2Gunz]

I think your single best bet would be to get an aluminum radiator.

I live in California and its hot and traffic sucks.

Before I upgraded I had the same problem. (I dont have air however)

After the upgrade the needle gets to themastat temp and doesnt move.


If you have a stock alternator I dont see adding a second fan as an option.

Most 16" eletric fans take 7-10 amps to run.

And I believe the stock alternator is good for 30.


I also have a flex fan.... and I dont know if the regular fan is better.

[Carrots]

Thank you Sir, I must admit I didn't think about the radiator. So the question is whether I'd be better off with a new heavy duty termo clutch fan & blade or a new alli radiator? I fear the answer is both, but in the short term I need to pick the one most likely to help until I land a new job! Can anyone else throw anything else in here? This wasn't an issue before I got the new air installed. 

[2Gunz]

Hopefully somebody in here knows if that would be better.


On the cheap though I would pull the water pump and clean it out.

As well as clean the water pump holes as far as you can into the block.

When I pulled mine it was filled with junk and buildup.


Also make sure the Radiator cap holds pressure like its supposed to.

And that you are using the correct amount of anti-freeze.



And to make sure I got you correctly.....  you have a connected to the engine
flex fan and a helper electric fan?

[Carrots]

Ok, I'll have a clean up in there. Thank you. I *think* all I have at the moment is an electric flex fan.

[2Gunz]

Somebody correct me if Im wrong....

But I believe that an electric fan would be way better than a mech fan any day.

They are strapped to the radiator and most of the air gets sucked through it. where
the mech fan needs clearance because of engine movement.

And when sitting the fan can run full speed instead of at 800rpm like the mech fan.

Make sure the fan is actually working. And running full speed at idle.

Some fans are just on.

Others will come on at a certain temp.

And others will change speeds depending on temperature.