So, to continue with my list of modifications to the '51 to bring it up to parade duty, I installed an electric fan the other day. I also removed the mechanical fan at the same time. Wow! What a difference! It runs so much smoother and has a lot more pep. If anyone has been planning on this mod, but has been waiting for more information on it, I would recommend doing it! Now, if I can only get the adjustable thermostat to work properly...
I have electric fans on my (2) Hot Rods. I just hooked them up to the ignition circuit and they run all the time. My thought was the stock fan is spinning all the time, so why not do the same for the electric one. My keep it simple concept...
Alright Fabio!!! We haven't finished with the first cup of stew you left us in!! ADHD, you never finish what you started.....Bad boy!
Ken- I will get some pics, but you can't hardly see the fan behind the grille. Lakeroadster- I thought about that, but my biggest concern was having the large current draw of the fan while I'm starting the engine. Looks like I have that anyway... Flashlight- I am happy with the PCV system as I have it...for now anyway.
I highly reccommend the Black Magic fan from Summit. It pulls 3300cfm and comes with everything. We use it on everything we build. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FLX-180/ I also suggest the FlowKooler water pumps. http://www.summitracing.com/search/...umps/Make/CHEVROLET/?Ns=Rank|Asc&autoview=SKU
If wired correctly there shouldn't be ANY draw from any accessory when starting if you have the right key start switch. The accessory terminal on the switch goes dead while the switch is turned to the start position. Your fan probably came with a relay but if not, use one. Use a 12 or 10 gauge wire from a heavy 12v source to the relay and the same size on to the fan and then just a 14 or 16 gauge wire from the accessory post on the ignition switch to activate the relay. This keeps all the heavy current apart from the wiring and switches. Your switch must have an accessory position on it because if a fan is hooked to the ignition terminal you can't turn the engine off if the fan is spinning.
As Usual ; ....What Evan said . Me , I often have a threaded bung soldered into the radiator's top tank , this is the best place to locate the temp switch , then just use a 185° switch , no more screwing 'round with an adjustable switch . ALWAYS wire the E-Fan through a relay and don't tie it to the ignition system in any ways , that's not how they're supposed to work anyways . It's supposed to come one during heat soak as you're having a cold one on a hot day , this is *very* beneficial to your engine . I tolja you'd like it , less noise , smoother running and about 3 more Horsepower to the wheels to boot . There is NO DOWNSIDE to an E-Fan .
Evan & Nate- Key start switch? What's that? I have the original on-off switch with the stomp starter. When I turn the key on, the fan relay kicks on. I definitely have a relay. I wouldn't wire something with that big of a draw directly. That's a good way to start a fire. I still like the idea of being able to adjust the temperature that it kicks on. I'm not ready to leave that alone yet. Gotta try to fix it. BTW, this is what I picked up.
You all asked for it... So here are some pictures! Unfortunately, with the fan installed behind the grille, you can't see much. ADHD Flashlight? Maybe. I also threw in a couple of pics to show the newly installed 4-speed (at least the gear shift in place)...
Charles & Zig- Thanks for the kind words. If I had my druthers, I'druther have a '51 GMC, but seeing how my great grandpa bought a Chevy... Big Tim- That seat is from a '48 Chevy 4-door sedan I found in my favorite (now closed) junk yard. $10 for that roll and pleat naugahyde wonder. You can't beat that with a stick. Unfortunately, the naugahyde is getting brittle in spots and I'm getting holes. I'll probably go with cloth next time.
Looks Good ! Is the temp switch's adjusting knob on the dash ?! . Interesting . Under the hood , I looks much like my '49 . The ignition key should have NOTHING to do with your E-Fan ! .
Nate- Yep...that is the inoperable temperature adjusting knob. I figure I'll tear into it someday soon to see what the problem is. It may be that the temp sender has the wrong Ohm range to work with the fan unit. Just to be clear, the only thing my ignition switch does is "click" the relay on. I don't want to have the possibility of the fan running when the truck isn't. How would you wire it?
E-Fan Setup As I stated before : it is very important to wire the relay live specifically so it'll click on after you've locked up and left the truck parked ~ it takes a few minutes to fully " heat soak " and having the fan run and cool it off whilst you're having a cold one , is very good indeed .
Relay Wiring Just run a 10 gauge wire to the relay and jumper it so the same wire both powers the relay and the fan , very simple , one wire from the battery , one wire to the fan switch , one or two wires to the fan depending on the brand of fan . I wire them so the relay kicks when one wire is grounded , this way you can use a stock 185° ~ 195° F fan switch . Don't forget to test the fan's direction by slipping some paper behind the radiator when the fan is running...
Starting to get frustrated... So, I guess I'm just not getting it. I decided that since the variable temperature control wasn't working on my fan, I would re-wire it with a plain relay. For the time being, I kept the power to kick in the relay from the ignition switch. I grounded the relay through my temperature sending unit. Theoretically, when the temperature hits a certain point, the sending unit should complete the circuit to ground and switch the fan on. It didn't work. I'm assuming that the sending unit's resistance doesn't ever get low enough to complete the circuit. Is there something else I'm missing? Do I just need to break down and spend more $$$ for a regular switch?
Relax ! ` Go buy a $29 infra red thermometer @ Harbor Freight ~ if your engine is running right , the fan almost never clicks on and certainly not when it's running in March/April ! . That's the whole point ~ a properly tuned engine doesn't need much fan so it's wasted horspower to have the stock fan . If it's all set up and the fan doesn't cut in and your temperature gauge isn't pegging , what's the worry ? . I see nothing to be frustrated about . To test : ground the fan relay swtich wire ~ if the fan begins to run , all is well . I hope you're not trying to operate the fan relay via the gauge's temp. switch , it doesn't work like that , you need a seperate , dedicated temp switch . I hope this helps , don't over complicate it .
