NSW Corvettes
Technical Tips => Radiators - Cooling => Topic started by: demonx on December 18, 2006, 04:22:09 PM
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I've been thinking about upgrading the original fan set up to a twin thermo fan setup.
Anyone have any input or comments/opinions?
Has anyone else here done anything similar?
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ICE fans flow as well as Davies Craig and drag a LOT less amps. For a C3 I still think you will need a shroud unless you have a big alum radiator.
2 x 10in will fit (just). You may get away with a 10in primary and a larger secondary.
It wouldn't be hard to make one if you are handy with fibreglass. Just make a template of the rad from 3mm mdf and build the rest from there. A '75 rad is a different shape to a '77 FYI.
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i have the standard fan on mine ,but i allso have twin thermos at front of radiator,they come on at about 160 and work fine,in summer i will run at 180 on a long drive,it ran better befor with a 7 blade at the front of engine.
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Hi demonx;42
I do not recommend thermo fans at all on C3's or earlier.;38
Use a 160 degree F thermostat with factory fan blade and fan clutch with factory fan shroud.;27
While thermofans may keep your engine under the boiling point. They will not keep it as cool as the factory design.;50
To put it simply it will feel like you are driving your Corvette with the heater on all the time.
;37;37
Hope this helps:25
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i disagree,i dont think the factory desighn works for the australian climate,there are more c3s out there bioling there heads off with factory setup then there is cool ones with factory setup,just my experience with them.;40
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Originally posted by MADLT1
i disagree,i dont think the factory desighn works for the australian climate,there are more c3s out there bioling there heads off with factory setup then there is cool ones with factory setup,just my experience with them.;40
Sorry MADLT1;37
But all the Corvettes that I have done barely get off the 100 degree mark in cool conditions and might reach quarter on the gauge when in Summer stuck in traffic big block or small block
And I am more than happy to show the Corvettes to proove it;42
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very interesting chromie,could we do a poll on this one,chime in cam:grr:grr
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For my two cents worth. One, I have never used the electric fans so can not comment there but what I do know is that all your rubbers that go around your fan shroud need to be intact or you still may get air bypassing your radiator. Your air dam needs to be fitted as well.
On a side note, as I stated, I have not used the electric fans but I have heard people not being happy with the electric fans ON C3'S.
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still not convinced ;37 sorry boys ;eek
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Originally posted by MADLT1
very interesting chromie,could we do a poll on this one,chime in cam:grr:grr
Ask and thou shall receive.
Tell me what questions ya want asked.
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ok lets see, the question is for those with c2 & c3.does your car run cool all year round with a factory set up,or my car runs cool now because i alterd the cooling system.hows that sound?
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Originally posted by MADLT1
still not convinced ;37 sorry boys ;eek
MADLT1 my son;42
As I have said I have a Big Block Corvette here and I am more than happy to let it idle all day, and let you watch the temperature gauge and use a thermo gun to confirm the temperature. I can also get more Corvettes in to confirm that the one I have is not a one off.;29;29
You can'tr argue with proof my son:spook
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i think a poll would be fun;43;43,mine will idle all day too and stay cool,but then the twin thermos will cut in and make sure of it ;42;42
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Some interesting points.
I'm going to get the block and radiator reverse flushed in a few weeks, so maybe thats a good time to put in a new thermostat.
For now I'll sit back and watch you guys kill each other deciding whether thermo or factory is better.
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Originally posted by Chromie
.............You can'tr argue with proof my son:spook
That's never stopped you before. ;53:22
Originally posted by MADLT1
i think a poll would be fun;43;43,mine will idle all day too and stay cool,but then the twin thermos will cut in and make sure of it ;42;42
Yes I'm still waiting for you to tell me what ya want in the poll. Read my post a few up in this thread.:grr
Actually here it is for ya
Originally posted by Cameron 77C3
Originally posted by MADLT1
very interesting chromie,could we do a poll on this one,chime in cam:grr:grr
Ask and thou shall receive.
Tell me what questions ya want asked.
Get ya act together :22;39
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;55
My C3 ran at a temperature of 210 to 220C with a 210C thermostat fitted.
I had the thermostat changed to a 180C one and now it runs at 180 to 190C.
;42
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Originally posted by reserved
;55
My C3 ran at a temperature of 210 to 220C with a 210C thermostat fitted.
I had the thermostat changed to a 180C one and now it runs at 180 to 190C.
;42
Ah yes, but the big question we have here is what fans are you running? Electric or original? That's what all the fuss is about. ;35:22
Originally posted by Cameron 77C3
Originally posted by MADLT1
very interesting chromie,could we do a poll on this one,chime in cam:grr:grr
Ask and thou shall receive.
Tell me what questions ya want asked.
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Originally posted by reserved
;55
My C3 ran at a temperature of 210 to 220C with a 210C thermostat fitted.
I had the thermostat changed to a 180C one and now it runs at 180 to 190C.
;42
I am runing a standard setup.
;mmm
However I just realised that my car does not run on super heated steam and all reference to degrees C shoukd be
degrees F
:p
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Originally posted by MADLT1
ok lets see, the question is for those with c2 & c3.does your car run cool all year round with a factory set up,or my car runs cool now because i alterd the cooling system.hows that sound?
i have my act together,cam you just missed it;40;40;40;40;40
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Originally posted by MADLT1
Originally posted by MADLT1
ok lets see, the question is for those with c2 & c3.does your car run cool all year round with a factory set up,or my car runs cool now because i alterd the cooling system.hows that sound?
i have my act together,cam you just missed it;40;40;40;40;40
DOOHH! ;30 ;39
I'll get straight on it. ;35
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OK the pole is up.
CLICK ME (http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/forum/viewthread.php?tid=4523) to go to the pole.
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;51 with madlt1 I changed my fan setup in my s/b 72 from mechanical to flex-a-lite brand # 210, 2 x 12" fans with an adjustable temp 180-240 control box with a/c relay, the area that the unit covers is 0.660 by 0.380 it fits very snug between the vertical tanks as if it was made for it , have had no issues with overheating whatsoever, with no fan shroud or the foam strip that sits on top of the radiator support panel.The only issue I had was the fuse holder that was supplied - it couldn't handle the 19.5 amp's so it sh#t itself over time & had to be replaced with a heavier holder.
BTW Madlt1 I never realized u & crommie were related ;41
CLICK ME (http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/forum/viewthread.php?tid=4523) to go to the pole to vote.
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I have BB and use 1 push 1pull thermo's and never have a problem from word go. NO shrouds ,Just clean 4 core and cooling system components in good order. Can sit in traffic no problems.
CLICK ME (http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/forum/viewthread.php?tid=4523) to go to the pole to vote.
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SB standard set up...never had a problem, bearing in mind i drive my vette evry week-end without fail (city driving & Country Driving), having said that, 2 sundays ago had a minor problem with the gasket (Thermometer housing) Gasket and it was purely wear and tear problem as a result the car overheated. It is all good now
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c25/jolinari/IMGP4313.jpg)
Sorry not trying to hijack the thread
CLICK ME (http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/forum/viewthread.php?tid=4523) to go to the pole to vote.
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I've seen plenty of C3's with thermo's that work and plenty that don't! I agree that the stock setup works but if you run thermo's without foam block off's and some sort of a shroud then you are in the minority (IMHO). Just like you cannot run a C3 with mech fan, not have a shroud and not boil!
It comes down to your block and rad - if you have a fresh block and rad then chances are with a thermo you won't have a problem.
For c3's, stock it a safe bet most of the time!
;42
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And some people just go all out!
Check this out... (http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=1608890)
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My 78 runs 160 180 all day any day used ford el fans. Have the fans wired to come on in stages to stop inrush current at start up. One fan also operates with ac. Fitted a stainless spring in bottom hose and have fitted a duct in air intakes to duct air up toward radiator & not out thru holes in valence panel. Sealed up all obvious holes at front of car so air has to go thru radiator ie bumper suports perimiter or radiator etc. The thermostat control is mounted in the top of water pump to get a bigger temperature variation. Most people put thermostat in top of motor or top radiator hose there is no variation in temperature it is always hot coming out of the motor, if it is hot coming out of the radiator. means there is no air flow so fans turn on.Took a bit of experimenting on the stove with a thermometer, pot of water & a multimeter checking various ones from wrecking yard to find one which had suitable temperature on / off characteristics
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;40
C3 with original fan setup, stinking hot day,sitting on 120Km, had to slow down as temperature was nearly on max . First time I have pushed it for a long period.
Dam it, will have to investigate.
;38
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Originally posted by reserved
;40
C3 with original fan setup, stinking hot day,sitting on 120Km, had to slow down as temperature was nearly on max . First time I have pushed it for a long period.
Dam it, will have to investigate.
;38
Hi reserved;42
Do you have the OEM front plastic spoiler and valance panel underneath your vette?;50
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Hey Chromie, just so ya know it's a big block.
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Originally posted by Cameron 77C3
Hey Chromie, just so ya know it's a big block.
Big block small block it doesn't make any difference;30 as they "DON NOT OVERHEAT" when set up correctly with the OEM design.;53
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Need to block sides of rad and the gap between the top tof the support panel and hood. also the gap between the rad and top of rad support if a non oem air filter is installed.
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:an
Been away for a few days, sorry I did not answer earlier
I have a air scoop thingy under the front impact bumper I think thats the the spoiler I will have to look for the valance panel. I will aso check for gaps mentioned.
:mmm
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For those that remember seeing my 74R they will recollect seeing the biggest alum rad they have ever seen in a c3,together with separate oil cooler and trans cooler stacked in front of rad with davies craig 14" fan on engine side,not a sign of any sort of shrouding and absolutely no temp issues at all...my biggest issue is getting rid of the heat from underhood.....john;35;35;35