OK, I've got a few manifolds to work with so using a mechanical fan is an option with a little fabrication in my AV8. Question is, is it really needed? The car will be driven primary on the highway and back country roads. It will see little stop and go traffic, but may see some comign and going to shows. The motor will be a 276" w/ a Potvin 3/8th cam, 2x2 intake. The block will be completely cleaned out, a new Walker radiator w/ 7 lb. cap, new or Skip's pumps, and I'm going to use water wetter. I'd rather not use a fan and would like any thoughts from those of you who have gone without a fan. Thanks.
I drove mine without a fan for a while. Worked fine as long as you could get some air through the radiator and had some time at stop lights before the temp climbed. The fan bearing locked up on mine so I ran it without til I e-bayed another one. Alot depends on how easy your's cools. With the new radiator, it may work. Neal
My 32 mor-door is flathead powered and I have NEVER had a engine driven fan and have traveld thousands of miles,,,,I do have an electric fan for when I am in traffic,,,,but on the highway it never runs,, HRP
Well you already know I don't run one and I haven't had any problems. Just so you can keep moving, if your sitting too long on a hot day the temp will start to creep up you just have to watch and try to stay out of the stop and go traffic. It's no fun driving in that anyway!
You won't miss it until that time that you get caught in a traffic jam. I was at a large hot rod show in line trying to get in when my backup electric fan died. I had to get out of line and ride a few blocks to get it back down to a reasonable level. I had to make about 3 "laps". Each time losing my place in line. I wouldn't build a car with out a fan. You may be a lot luckier than I am but the best laid plans... Overheating is a real PITA. build the car so that it won't. JMO
J'st Wand & H.R.P- Thanks for your input. Jer- My son can't stop talking about your roadster. He imitates the sounds of it all the time. That trip out was a great day and has kick started my push to get my roadster done.
If you can maintain at least 25mph you don't need a fan but an electric fan with a manual switch would be wise for traffic slowdowns and low speed cruizin. The FOGGER
I know an electric fan would be the best option, I just can't seem to do it with the type of build I'm doing.
why take a chance,run a fan you never know when you will have to use it,run the water wetter,that works great..for me i run only distilled water and water wetter but you may need something else depending on your cold weather climate,iam in so cal never had a problem with over heating in my flattie,i drive that thing eveywhere
put a fan on it trust me.. i locked the flathead up in mine because of overheating. nice thing about those motors you could do that and as soon as it cools off its good as new. but i would not take the risk at all if i were you.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=162030&highlight=electric+fan+tech I always liked this. Cool solution !
My son had to show me how to put the link in my reply! You didn't think I could do that by myself, did you? I used to sit in traffic in my '33 and it never boiled over. Has a fan on it, turning really slowly at idle. Old, worn out 21 stud, and I never had the radiator cleaned. I wonder if the fan made any difference? Put that A-V8 Bomb together and let it idle in the driveway and see how hot it gets. I'll come over and drink a Cutty and watch the temp guage with you.
Use a fan and thermostats. Nothing looks more stupid than a Hot Rod sitting on the side of the road in a traffic jam that is boiling over !!!!!!!!! With fan and stats in my '33 i can go 100mph on the freeway for hours or be stuck in a traffic jam.I have a 255 , 270° schneider cam , 2x2 97s..... Why do you think Henry F. put them on his cars.....???
yeah, i guess if you just want to drive your car on the highway yer all good. but i like to cruise through car shows and drive mine day to day in traffic, so i will always have a fan on all of my cars. jeff
Try this on for size. http://store.summitracing.com/partd...9115&N=700+400006+4294838842+115&autoview=sku Perma-Cool makes a bunch of different fans that don't use modern-looking plastic shrouds--just bare-naked blades on steel mounts. Fairly agro-looking for an electric. Paint the whole thing matte black and it'd almost disappear in most engine compartments. Plenty of power too and quite compact.
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