FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

For all those guys running a small block Chevy in their FE or FC, I am just wondering what radiator and engine cooling components you are running and how effective they are?

I'm running a 305 chevy, 307 heads, headers etc. The radiator is a 3 core from a V8 Ht, HG, HQ holden etc and it has a thermostatic cooling fan at the front of the radiator. It just seems to be running a little bit hotter than I would like, which could be a bit of a problem if I start towing a small van, as planned, with the car. The fan doesn't seem to cut in until pretty high in the temperature range (190+), even set to it's lowest limit.

Been looking at a few options but not sure which way to go. The local radiator bloke wants to charge me $650.00 to build a 4 core radiator or I had looked at these on ebay as a possible solution:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HQ-HJ-HX-HZ-WB-Holden-Twin-Shrouded-Thermo-Fan-/120957533910?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c29a17ed6

I played with the timing and dwell today and will check the thermostat tomorrow but so far everything checks out.
 

Im running a VT V8 commodore standard radiator. Two 10 inch fans on the back spread apart to clear the water pump

I have made a fair few shrouds out of 2mm alloy.

You need to step it off the core at least 20mm to get more flow bolting them directlly to the core only cools thats small area of the diameter of the fan..

I would run 2 10 or 12 inch thermos and use an adjustable davies craig thermo switch to come on about 165ish ..


Pete

Correct operating temp for most older engines is between 186 and 192  degrees running them cooler can have effects on the engine life and performance , as proper expansion of engine components won't occur  and tolerances may be compromised .......FC427.......

Hi JWM,

Have you tried an engine mounted fan with shroud?

I tried all manner of cooling arrangements and a shrouded fan coupled with twin thermos would keep a V8 cool in a city traffic jam on a 40 degree day.

http://fefcholden.org.au/forum/index.php/topic,12243.80.html

Cheers

Ed

For cooling size does matter.  A single 16in fan has more CFM than multiple smaller ones.  Radiator type and positioning also matters.  The van has a VK V8 radiator shoehorned in there and there is no problem. Only issue we have ever had is initially blowing fuses on the fan as the 16in Davies Craig needs a full 30 amp fuse especially at fan start up.

regards

John

Sorry about the temp thats what my nissan engine ran.
I use to have a single 16 but i find trying to get a really flay fan is hard to get and with twins it wont fowl on the waterpump..

Pete

Thanks guys. It currently has a 16 inch thermo fan mounted at the front of the radiator, so obviously it is blowing air threw the radiator, rather than drawing it through. I have been told that having the thermo fan mounted in front of the radiator is not as effective.
I Don't have a lot of space between the radiator and the water pump, only just over 38mm, so there is not a lot of room to play with. I've just scored an old 4 blade Holden red motor engine mounted fan from a mate and I'm just in the process of painting it and will install that later this afternoon. I'll see what difference that fan makes and if it improves the situation, I will work on a shroud to go around the radiator.

I checked out the thermostat this morning and although it was a 160 degree thermostat and seemed good, I still replaced it.

I'll let you know what happens.

Thanks for the help and advice, it is really appreciated.

jwm

I saw  these fans when I was in the USA at Long Beach Swap Meet might be [cool] for us with limited room......FC427...... Side Winder(http://www.the-fan-man.com/shop/images/side1.jpg)

Low Profile Electric Fan Kit

Our Newest Product, The Sidewinder Fan Kit is designed to fit where other fans can't. It's low profile design and high CFM output is sure to keep your vehicle running cool.

Over 2200 CFM
Only 1 5/8" depth at center of fan
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Part #SW

I'm running an ADC alloy 4 core based on the early V8 Commodores along with a single 16" fan in front of the radiator, on a blown sbc, temp runs between 178-192 on the hottest of days. The only time it exceedes 192 is during a skid, and that takes close to 2 minutes to reach

Cheers Brett

It appears that all is good. Installed the engine fan and went for a drive this afternoon and although it was a cooler day, the engine temp sat at 180 or just below. I'll look at a a shroud for the radiator and fan in the next few days and that should improve the situation even more.

Once again, thanks guys.


jwm