47-55.1 AD Electric Fan Choices

[vintovka]

Been asked about which newer electric fans will work with a 350 and stock 53 AD radiator. I use a taurus but Buddy says its ugly, I agree. What are you guys running?

[MiraclePieCo]

I prefer mechanical - no switches, wiring or sender to fail. However, I have used a 16" Spal electric on my previous '50 pickup. Don't believe the fake CFM figures on cheap electric fans. Nothing pulls like a Spal. I could almost turn off my engine and let the fan pull me down the road like an airplane propeller, haha!

[vintovka]

The spal 16" says 2000 cfm but the net talk says 2500 is needed for a 350. In addition the plain spal 16 comes with out a shroud and straps right to the rad. the face of the stock 53 rad is about 19 x21 so a large area is covered. Did you use a shroud?

[mr48chev]

OEM or Spal. I've never heard of anyone having issues with a Spal fan and actually never on a proper size oem fan. I've got a cheapie out in the shed that I had on my 51 Merc that didn't seem to move enough air to write home about.

[vintovka]

Hes going with the 30 amp spal I may too if i like it.

[e015475]

Another vote for the SPAL - it really moves the air.

My only complaint is the noise.

I don't have any upholstery, insulation or side windows and I can see pavement through several holes in the floorboards. If it still bothers me once the interior is finished, I'll look for a PWM controller to slow the SPAL down when full flow isn't needed.

Mine's on a fiberglass shroud, but an aluminum one made on a box brake would work just as well -



Basically just an old T-shirt stretched over some aluminum forms, resin applied to stiffen up the cotton T-shirt then a couple layers of kitty hair to stiffen it up. Pulls the SPAL fan about 1.5" from the face of the radiator. Some 'L' bracket hold the shroud to the radiator using the radiator mounting bolts.

[MiraclePieCo]

Originally Posted by vintovka

The spal 16" says 2000 cfm but the net talk says 2500 is needed for a 350. In addition the plain spal 16 comes with out a shroud and straps right to the rad. the face of the stock 53 rad is about 19 x21 so a large area is covered. Did you use a shroud?

Tell those "net talk" guys to go back to school. Cooling is dependant on many more factors than airflow. Coolant volume and coolant flow rate are even more important factors, so you can't say that any specific CFM is required for every system. Spal fan CFM ratings are actual test results; generic fan CFMs are highly exaggerated.

You should always get the largest diameter fan that will fit your radiator.

Regarding shrouds: I have found that shrouds cover too much radiator cooling surface and restrict airflow; I don't use them. Do the math: your 19x21 radiator is 399 square inches of surface area; an 18-inch shroud has an opening of only 254 square inches. You are now trying to force 399 inches through a 254-inch opening. That equals restriction.

[MALIBLOC]

In the 55 , Im running a Spal, and its works extremely well, but I will say that the noise volume is quite high.