Technical AV8 - cooling fan - advice sought

Hi guys,

Test fitting my motor for my 1928 Tudor build and I'm looking for advice on the fan and pulleys. As you can see from the photos my initial plan was to use the two pulley truck fan. I know I need to trim the front cross member, but before I do I want to know if this is a good approach or should I look for a single pulley option. I have no problem modifying the firewall, but will that be my only issue?

Appreciate the help.
Carl

 

These engines are notorious for being hard to cool in hot weather. The fan you show will move a lot of air but can make a lot of noise at speed doing it. You don't say what rear end you are using. That can determine how much room you have to clear the cross member. If you use a stock fuel pump you will likely need to fabricate a recess in the firewall for clearance or use an electric pump and block off the fuel pump at the block. Block off plates are available. The engine should raise up a bit to get the fan higher where it will do the most good. Motor mounts will usually take care of that. There are a number of fan blade options. I use an 18", 4 blade fan with plenty of pitch and a 4 row shortened el cheapo aluminum radiator with a half shroud of sorts at the top half of the radiator. Works well. I fabbed my own motor mounts, front and rear using the stock cross member. No K member needed. I trimmed the front cross member, thinking I would need to, but not really necessary. Bear in mind, mine is built with as found field parts of all years and was ***embled "as found" with no real body work. It's old and "well loved" and I wanted it to look that way. Stock '49-'53 engine. This thing has an amazing amount of get up and go. I will try to get some detailed pictures to show. '29 2 door, '39 style ******, stock Model A rear end. Nice looking project you have there.

 

In my 41 Ford with a later Merc V8 I went from the stock for blade fan to the six blade that you have there and there is a huge difference in cooling. It's 102° outside and it runs about 185 going down the road and going up a big grade it gets to 200 but then settles back down. These fans do make a **** ton of noise. I've got gl*** packs that go all the way out the back of the car so you kind of hear the motor more than the exhaust. Bottom line is these fans move a lot of air and I would run it in a hot rod before an electric fan any day

 

Very helpful and thank you. I have a 1939 transmission and rear end. The torque tube and driveshaft will need to be shortened regardless which affords me options. Agreed the motor is sitting to low. Once I figure out where to place the motor I'll fabricate the mounts and adjust the hight/drive angle.

Yes! Please share some photos!

 

Good to hear about that fan. It is a monster.

 

If you fab the actual front mounts level to or just under the frame rails then add the biscuits, you'll be closer as Glenn said. But, you know that. The next concern I would have is the overall car rake with the rear trans position. I needed to adjust my trans mount down about 5/8". Mines is still just a project but I would want to know how level the carb bases will be before finalizing the mounts.
Looks great!
JMO,
D

 

Noted and helpful! Thanks!

 

There was a thread about this not too long along. If using the 3X2 intake, best bet is to make an idler pulley set up using the pulley from an early V8 car that mounts the fan on the pulley. More than likely, you will need to shorten the blades.

Edit: That said, looking at your pictures again, your fan actually looks good. You want it about an 1" away from the rad. Is it hitting somewhere?

 

Thanks, I'll look for that post. Nope it clears and spins freely.

 

Here are a couple of pictures. Maybe they will give you some ideas. Not the best pics but all I could muster. If you are going to use a torque tube rear end, be sure you have it shortened to the stock Model A length. When you start your ***embly, begin at the back end and work forward. You will have better luck with engine placement. All my A-V8 mounts are made myself with whatever I had on hand. Turned out just fine. Might not be pretty but strong and functional. At first I used a 6 blade truck fan. Couldn't stand the noise and it wasn't living up to expectations. The big 4 blade fan works well. Electric fans? Not around here, ya don't!

 

Here’s my set up

 

That looks good. Engine is right where it should be. One thing to mention, there is a difference in using a 59AB, for instance, and an 8BA. The 59AB type are a little different in block size. The stock fuel pump won't interfere with the firewall and all you need is an offset oil fill tube to take care of everything in that regard if the engine is properly set, fore and aft.

 

You will hate how much noise that 6 blade truck fan makes. I had one on my F-1 pu and it sounded like a Cessna at full climb. I switched to the 4 blade, which was only slightly less noisy. Still would like to find a better solution. FWIW, the 6 blade did not cool any better than the 4 blade.

 

True the 6 blade is loud like a plane.id like something better also but it's keeping its cool now in 100+ weather.couldnt hear the 4 blade and really couldnt feel any airflow at idle.could go electric but that's last resort

 

Awesome! ...thank you for these.

 

Very clean, I like that. I like that you also clear that cross member with room to change your belt.

 

Good insight, thank you.

 

I'd hate to have to go electric, but I'll have to test and see I think.
Thanks!