Interior Accessory Fans

Thodge

Senior Member
I’m wondering what everyone’s experience has been with adding interior fans. The Trico vacuum fans look like a fun novelty but I assume that they don’t run most of the time. With only 40 hp, it seems like the engine is rarely running low enough load to have adequate vacuum to run it ( or the wiper, for that matter). How about electric fans? Specifically 6volt fans. Even in New England weather, this thing gets hot inside, so I’m looking in to options. I’m also planning on putting insulation on the floorboards as well.
 
I have a Trico fan in my car. It works fairly well, and doesn't have a noticeable effect on the engine. It blows stronger than you'd think, but is only really useful at low speed and in stop and go traffic - the air blowing through the car while underway is much stronger than the fan. A key aspect to the Trico fans is that you must upgrade your vacuum line from 1/8" to 1/4", as the original 1/8" line restricts the power of the fan quite a bit.
 
I live in NE also and have a coupe. Leaving my windshield open by 2"-3" makes a huge difference in inside air temperature. In my view installing fans would not do very much to improve interior temperatures.
 
I have a fan that I can put in. When its hot you can't even feel the wind from it with
the windows open. I do like CT Jack and open the windshield which helps alot.
 
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Thanks for all the feedback. Yes, cracking the windshield does make a big difference. I was skeptical that the fans would do much, just thought I’d check with someone who had tried it first. Really I think the heat coming through the floorboard is the real problem. I covered the entire floor with 50 mil foil-backed sound deadening mat today. I also put some of the mat up high on the firewall where it’s hidden by the tank. Only took it for a quick drive so I don’t have any input as to heat reduction yet but the cabin is noticeably quieter. The firewall insulator is the way to go eventually. Seems like it would be quite the hassle to install though.
 
I put a school bus windshield fan in my Coupe after having the rotatio reversed. More a novelty but it does help the passenger.
 
Its my understanding that these small fans purpose was to defrost the windshield.

That is my understanding also. I think I seen that mentioned in a Trico Ad.

I only install it for car shows to display "era accessories"


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I have a Trico fan similar to Y-B but it is installed on the steering column. As stated, great for car shows but a waste of money if purchased to do any cooling.
 
Thanks for all the feedback. Yes, cracking the windshield does make a big difference. I was skeptical that the fans would do much, just thought I’d check with someone who had tried it first. Really I think the heat coming through the floorboard is the real problem. I covered the entire floor with 50 mil foil-backed sound deadening mat today. I also put some of the mat up high on the firewall where it’s hidden by the tank. Only took it for a quick drive so I don’t have any input as to heat reduction yet but the cabin is noticeably quieter. The firewall insulator is the way to go eventually. Seems like it would be quite the hassle to install though.

I installed one of those heat shields that covers the muffler. That helped,
especially on the passenger side.
 
I installed one of those heat shields that covers the muffler. That helped,
especially on the passenger side.

I have found that a lot of heat comes from behind the front kick panels, where the front body mounts are, under the toe boards. It is open right to the engine compartment.

I had a illistration I posted in the past but I can not located it right now.
 
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