Im looking for some suggestions for replacing my flex fan on my 302. Im in Barstow, its hot, the engine is moderately modded and cooling in traffic on hot days is tough. The radiator that is on the car is quite new so I'm thinking of trying a clutch fan. Im not here to start an electric/mechanical discussion, Im poor at wiring and that is that Any input you guys have on what parts/fan/where to buy it is greatly appreciated.

 

your going to see better results just putting a properly matched electric fan in, the wiring to do one properly is VERY low mechanical skill needed...

 

^^ agreed but their are some people such as myself that dont like the look of electric fans on classics cars (just a pet peeve of mine). Just a month ago i put this on my 289 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HDA-2710/?rtype=10

was able to use the same spacer and have no problem with it (tho at the time i was putting in a hipo pump in it as well but im pretty sure the clearance is the same.

But ya, get rid of the flex fan. heard too many horror stories of blades giving out and exploding into the hood/firewall/etc.

 

I bought mine from these folks and believe they are a popular option for this mod.

http://www.haydenauto.com/Featured%2...s/Content.aspx

 

There is no reason a clutch fan won't work very well. It's also a much cheaper option most of the time. I run one on my '67fb with a mean 331 and it stays cool in traffic in 110F heat. It's also very quiet, which is the main reason I switched to it.

Not to mention, electric fans that push 2500+ CFM require quite a bit of power to run. On a car with a stock 45A alternator, you're going to have a hard time running the fan and keeping the battery charged at idle.

The clutch itself can be had from most parts stores. The hayden unit listed above is sold at any O'Reilly's (or CSK) store. The fan needs to be purchased from a Mustang parts supplier. If you don't have one already, get a fan shroud to go with it.

 

I have the stock clutch fan in my 66, with a service replacement thermal clutch. On hot days, when the car is not moving, you can hear the fan clutching and de-clutching, exactly as though it had an electric fan, but without all the wiring and plumbing issues an electric requires. Ford used to sell clutch fans as a performance upgrade (most 427 Ford engines had them) claiming a 2% power increase. Dyno studies since then have proved not only that was true, it may have been more.

 

As Starfury stated get the complete setup to get all out of the combination. Get a thermal clutch and 6 or 7 blade fan made for the clutch like the hayden one linked to and a fan shroud (mustang supplier) to concentrate the suction in order to pull or draw the air through the radiator. This setup will give you sufficient cooling without having to upgrade your alt. or fighting with wires and figuring out a thermostat for the electric fan.

What temp Tstat are you running in the intake? 180*-195* is suggested, going to low (160*) causese the fluid to circulate to often and heat more, spending less time in the rad. to be cooled. There should also be a weep hole ~1/8" drill bit size located at the top of the Tstat to allow some fluid to pass through at all times.

Does your lower hose have a spring in it? If not they can collapse and suck closed at hwy speed RPMs.
Jon

 

The lower hose doesn't really need the spring in it. If your hose is good it won't collapse, spring or not.

I run a Robert Shaw 195* high-flow thermostat in my motor. I've had two of the cheaper Mr Gasket units break on me, so I won't buy one of those anymore. My motor stays at 200-210F no matter what I'm doing. I had a 180 high-flow thermostat in it before, but the temp never got above 190F.

 

Still, the spring is easy to get and easy to install.

 

Thanks for all of the responses guys. I will be looking into one of the Hayden Clutches, a new fan and possibly a new thermostat. Im not sure what temp. thermostat is in there right now to be honest. Im glad you mentioned it.