tricordati
Junior Member
Any suggestions/thoughts on adding an electric fan to my 1951 flathead?
Electric Fan
- Thread starter tricordati
- Start date
Kube
Super Moderator
My thought? Why?
tubman
Well-known member
I second "Kube", and will add that if you are still running a 6 volt system, any electric fan that would do any good at all would probably over-power your charging system. I have a '51 and have never had a problem with overheating with a decent radiator. Make sure your cooling system and radiator are clean and in good condition. You might want to consider a regular "drain and flush" followed by a three day Evaporust purge : https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2448400&highlight=Evaporust#post2448400
If you feel you must so something, I would consider designing and building a functional fan shroud.
If you feel you must so something, I would consider designing and building a functional fan shroud.
Karl Wescott
Well-known member
If you are not overheating it ain't broke, don't fix it. If you are still overheating after doing what tubman suggested then...
If you are overheating at speed a different fan will not help, and could even hurt. Airflow above about 25 mph is from car velocity and the fan contributes little if any airflow. Stock baffles are important as they may direct air down at the rear bottom/back of the radiator creating a venturi effect which increases airflow through the radiator.
If you are overheating at idle/parade then there might be a fan issue. But first make sure all stock baffles and seals are in place without any added holes. Second is to consider a shroud, that collects air at the corners of the radiator that otherwise might be stagnant or even reverse flow (back to front). Third would be to consider a flex blade fan of some kind, they tend to have more airflow at low speed/rmp and flatten out to provide less drag at high speed/rpm than a stock rigid blade fan.
If you do have a shroud and ok cooling at low speed but overheating at high speed the shroud could be limiting airflow and you may need to make some pop off vents with a flap valve to increase air flow/cooling.
If you are overheating at speed a different fan will not help, and could even hurt. Airflow above about 25 mph is from car velocity and the fan contributes little if any airflow. Stock baffles are important as they may direct air down at the rear bottom/back of the radiator creating a venturi effect which increases airflow through the radiator.
If you are overheating at idle/parade then there might be a fan issue. But first make sure all stock baffles and seals are in place without any added holes. Second is to consider a shroud, that collects air at the corners of the radiator that otherwise might be stagnant or even reverse flow (back to front). Third would be to consider a flex blade fan of some kind, they tend to have more airflow at low speed/rmp and flatten out to provide less drag at high speed/rpm than a stock rigid blade fan.
If you do have a shroud and ok cooling at low speed but overheating at high speed the shroud could be limiting airflow and you may need to make some pop off vents with a flap valve to increase air flow/cooling.
Christopher Salty
Member
Any idea if this fits F1 truck? Going to email them and see if they know.