I'm sure this topic has been covered on here several times before, so forgive me if this is redundant. I'm in the process of my sbc350 V8 swap in my 54 bel air, and trying to figure out if I should go with an electric cooling fan or a mechanical fan. Its a very mild 350, maybe around 300 hp and I'm looking for reliability over huge horsepower. I have a Stewart stage 1 water pump, Stewart high flow thermostat, and a new aluminum Champion radiator. My alternator is 100amp and I'm running dual compressors for my air ride. I'm looking at either a Spal electric fan: http://www.speedwaymotors.com/SPAL-Curved-Blade-Fans,1783.html or a traditional metal fan: http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Steel-Four-Blade-Racing-Fan-17-Inch,59346.html or maybe even a HD flex fan: http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Flex-a-lite-Heavy-Duty-Steel-Cooling-Fan,1846.html I'd love to hear your input. All info is greatly appreciated.
My car (51 merc, cammed sbc, headers) was purchased with a 4 blade mechanical fan and it overheated quickly though there was a lot of things wrong with it. My buddy tuned it up and we swapped on electric fan, and it didn't quite get it done. I more recently went to a new bigger radiator, and a 6 blade mechanical fan. On the highway, 180F all day long. In very slow traffic, it will get over 205F and my old electric fan which is now a back-up pusher will sometimes go on. My next move is to also add a half circle universal fan shroud, to see if my slow traffic temps will go down a bit.
If period correctness is not an issue, my STRONG preference is for '60s/'80s GM and Mopar thermostatically controlled (with the bi-metal strip in the front of the clutch) clutch fans.
just did the same swap on a customers car and used a speedway 4 blade steel fan and the stock 3 row rad.180 while driving and 195 sitting.worked out good
also on the swap i had to use a stock p***enger side exhaust manifold on the driver side to clear the steering box.
The Jalopy Journal
