Are electric radiator fans with schrouds used with open engine cars for safty reasons. I am mocking up my 1931 5 window olds and I like the look of the fan blades to run off the motor. However, upon further review, it will not be safe. I have a ten year old and I would worry that he could cut his fingers on the blade when the car is running. Any thoughts???? The electric fans don't seem to look "old school" BrianC
heh....old hot rods are dangerous! you gotta pay attention when you have one. No shields, safety interlocks, etc. Might be a good time to teach your son about the serious dangers of machines.
Do your best to get the electric fans in place in front of the radiator, the cooling isn't nearly as efficient as on the engine side with some sort of sheetmetal to control the airflow. Use a relay to control the power to the fan so the high amp draw isn't directed through the switch possibly causing the switch to overheat.
To cut his fingers on a moving fan blade, your 10-year-old will have to reach past a hot exhaust system, burning his arm in the process. I'd recommend keeping the mechanical fan. Just make a shroud out of sheet aluminum to fit around it and call it finished. John Milner didn't have an electric fan and if you have a well-engineered cooling system, you won't need one either.
You can have your cake and eat it too! We have a stock flatty engine driven fan on our roadster in a home made shroud.....and inside the shroud is a 16" electric fan that keeps everything cool in the summer. Most people NEVER see the electric fan at all and we still have the right "look" to it all.
It's just one more thing that ruins the look of an old hot rod. If the system is designed right you won't need it. Rich
A 10 year old being raised by a Gear Head should be well on His way to being Safty knowledgable. You show him it's dangerous and He'll respect that. If you don't and he ends up at a Rod Run He may well stick His hand in somebody elses Fan that doesn't have any Kids to worry about. Raise them right and they will do right. Electric Fans look like **** on open fender Rods. The Wizzard
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