429Boss

I recently bought a 86 Mustang GT and discovered that it has a cracked cooling fan and a radiator with bent cooling passages and a lot of broken fins. I'm going to replace both of them with aftermarket parts, does anyone know of any good brands to look into? The engine is stock and for a little while its going to stay that way before i rebuild the engine. Thanks guys

Tony71502

Get a stock replacement fan, the aluminum flex-a-lite ones make a lot of noise. Stick with a stock radiator replacement for now. It's useless spending a couple hundred dollars more on a stock car. Just my 2 cents. I've had no cooling problems at all running a stock radiator with basic bolt ons, under drive pulleys, and a cam.

429Boss

Fan blade noise isn't a problem and for a slightly better than stock fan the price difference isn't that substantial. But you make a good point the aftermarket radiator im looking at is over $100 more and if you haven't had a problem that makes me feel more confident but for only a couple dollars i feel that a better fan is money well spent for insurance.

Tony71502

The fan noise from the metal blade fans is very noticeable. The only thing that quieted mine down was putting under drive pulleys on to slow it's speed. This also slows the water pump down.

429Boss

that's why i'm thinking of switching to an electric fan to avoid that problem. but will that lead to any water pump problems if i remove the stock fan?

Tony71502

No. None at all. Just don't get a cheap electric fan. Make sure the shroud gets your whole radiator and make sure you have a temp relay. Elec fans are much better than mechanical... but to do it right... you are going to spend money. Don't half *** it.

429Boss

i agree completely and thanks for the help

2011scgt

i would indeed throw a 3 row rad in it. i would find a police fan and install it. the only good thing about a flex fan is it can cut down on weight. adding an electric fan will need an alt. upgrade as these stock are 75 amps. i would also put in a 185 mr gasket stat.

Tony71502

I'm pretty sure Special Service Mustangs didn't come with electrical fans. Flex fans don't really weigh that much less than the stock fan. The difference is inertia, there is less material far away from the rotational axis. There is no reason to replace the thermostat.

2011scgt

they only make the clutch for the fan. actually the flex fans are lighter than stock...and yes replace the stat to the one i said..they have a larger ofice(opening) and being 185 degrees helps also they are balance no need to purge the system.. i use them in all my fox bodies