cutting the front out to fit in a new radiator

Sorry I didn't revisit this thread. If I ever forget in the future, feel free to check out my website. I keep it pretty up to date and lots of pictures.

It worked GREAT. The only problem now is that my fan is always on and I need to install a thermostatic switch so it will stay off until it hits 185, otherwise I drive around town at 165 or so. Easier to get it hotter than to cool it off...

I don't have a whole lot of space between the fan and water pump. I swapped the water pump pulley out for a thinner one (so I could run manual steering) and had to jack the front of the engine up to get it out. The new thinner one went right in, no problem.



I have close to an inch space, plus or minus.

There is an angle on the water outlet at the bottom, and I had to fabricate a hose extension. But, now that I have the power steering pump removed, I will try to find a straighter hose, since it doesn't have to jog down and around the PS belt anymore.

 

It all looks really great. Yeah, you get a thermostatic switch on the fan and you are going to love it even more. Congraz!!

 

Do you know what kind of cfm's your fans pull or push? That sounds like a lot. Do you have a shroud on the rad? I was thinking a 2500 cfm Flex-a-lite would be all I need for a 302.

I'm running the Flex-a-lite fan and I can barely fit a finger tip between it and my water pump shaft. I'm running the flex-a-lite on the motor side and dual 9 inch fans on the front of the condensor. Temp runs 200 with the AC running in Houston area traffic....in July. Not bad.

Good luck with it...[/QUOTE]

 

It's the Flex-A-Lite Black Magic 150, so it's pulling ~2800 cfm. When the AC is on the two 9 inchers kick on with it. I've got them all switched with the AC. I estimate that they are pushing 1000 cfm each on the condensor. No fan shroud, just the BM150.

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My fan came with the shroud you see, and it covers almost all of the surface area of the radiator. It came from a junk yard, Taurus I think. I went through a couple before I found this one, so it might have been off of something else. I could run the numbers and verify, or it might be in my website...if you are interested. Not sure of the CFMs but it was a 6-cyl car.

 

I wonder about my plans on the new fan. I hope it keep my engine cool because it sounds like I might be a little on the short side. I did take the A/C off so that would help a little.

 

I checked my website and mine came off a Early 90s Cavalier. I bet there are many that would fit. This one cost me $25, including hooking it up to a battery before I left to verify it ran. It has run full time since then, 8/14/05. No problems. Not sure what the cfm is, but you can feel air being sucked in from 8 inches in front of the radiator, maybe more. And, if it doesn't cycle, it keeps the car down around 165 in cool weather, 175 in "warm" weather. Haven't driven it in Houston Summer Heat yet...