Any reccomendations on what aftermarket replacment fans to use? I was looking at the flex-a-lite low profilers.
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I've done a large amount of changes in the cooling system over my 24 years of ownership of a '72 L, and of all the changes, only three resulted in noticably lower engine temperatures.
First, low-profile fans that move at least 3x the air of a stock fan. My tests showed that a stock fan blew about 300 cubic feet per minute of air at the core. We need at least 900 ft/min to keep a hot engine from boil-over in slow traffic. The dual Flexilites w/integral shroud blows about 900 cfm each.
If using big pusher fans mounted in front of the radiator, be sure to leave extra room between blades & core. It was found some years ago that at speeds within the capabilties of a stock Pantera, air pressure on plastic fan blades can flex them enough to cut open a radiator like a grapefruit.Antifreeze then opaques the windshield at a VERY inopportune time.....
Second, adding a shroud so the fans suck across the entire radiator core, not just blowing against two small sections. For conveniernce, we tilt the radiator fwd for access to the back to add the shroud & fans & hook up the waterpipes.The tilt does nothing for cooling itself. Necessarily, the fans will still be low-profile to fit.
Third, for a 'bigger' radiator, we are restrained in height & width by the body, so we add more core thickness. With copper/brass radiators, this incurs a massive weight penalty, so the all-aluminum Fluidyne made specifically for Panteras is a current drop-in favorite. The dual Flexilites also fit this core nicely.
First, low-profile fans that move at least 3x the air of a stock fan. My tests showed that a stock fan blew about 300 cubic feet per minute of air at the core. We need at least 900 ft/min to keep a hot engine from boil-over in slow traffic. The dual Flexilites w/integral shroud blows about 900 cfm each.
If using big pusher fans mounted in front of the radiator, be sure to leave extra room between blades & core. It was found some years ago that at speeds within the capabilties of a stock Pantera, air pressure on plastic fan blades can flex them enough to cut open a radiator like a grapefruit.Antifreeze then opaques the windshield at a VERY inopportune time.....
Second, adding a shroud so the fans suck across the entire radiator core, not just blowing against two small sections. For conveniernce, we tilt the radiator fwd for access to the back to add the shroud & fans & hook up the waterpipes.The tilt does nothing for cooling itself. Necessarily, the fans will still be low-profile to fit.
Third, for a 'bigger' radiator, we are restrained in height & width by the body, so we add more core thickness. With copper/brass radiators, this incurs a massive weight penalty, so the all-aluminum Fluidyne made specifically for Panteras is a current drop-in favorite. The dual Flexilites also fit this core nicely.
When I picked up my car last November it was hard to believe the original fans were still there at 65K miles. My first few days out on "warm" days was enough to say it was time for a change.
I installed (2) 12' Derale "S" blade sucker style fans (pn65812) along with an adjustable thermostat relay running both at the same time. The amp draw is @ 8.8amps each.
I ran them both into a single adjustable thermostat relay and have them kick in at 160+degrees. The two of them just fit a standard radiator. The air now pulled though is like a small tornado under the car, and the temps are excellent! (and thats with the original radiator)
Bob
I installed (2) 12' Derale "S" blade sucker style fans (pn65812) along with an adjustable thermostat relay running both at the same time. The amp draw is @ 8.8amps each.
I ran them both into a single adjustable thermostat relay and have them kick in at 160+degrees. The two of them just fit a standard radiator. The air now pulled though is like a small tornado under the car, and the temps are excellent! (and thats with the original radiator)
Bob
I hate to sound like a "Know it All", but it won't be the first time. Here goes; I understand that you are drawing 17.6 Amperes through a single relay contact! That is a lot of current! Either you have selected a relay with massive rated contacts, or you can expect them to weld together, or just melt at some point in time. OR you are very lucky. That is why each fan, originally, had it's own relay. Let us know how it does. Marlin.
Marlin. Sorry for not mentioning it. The single relay was a 30amp unit they sell as an option.
Bob
Bob
That will work!! You know what your doing! Marlin.