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Hey guys... I bought a 3 row aluminum radiator for my 82 GSL and I'm having a little trouble finding a electric fan an shroud that fits.
I found one that is 2 ...10 inch fans and aluminum shroud but I found out thru a friend that they are not good..also I don't want to strap the fan directly to the radiator and mess up the fins...
So..for you guys that are using an aluminum radiator on your FB...what e-fan setup are you using?
Any suggestions for me will be really appreciated.....
There are probably better fans and slimmer fans but that's what I have. I don't expect this to work if I ever go 13b without more mods as its pretty tight now.
A couple months ago I installed a Flex-A-Lite FLX-238 on my aluminum eBay short radiator. I haven't gotten to test it in any major heat yet, but so far it's doing wonderfully with the highest ambient temp encountered thus far at ~60F. It's paired with a Derale DER-16759 controller and it almost never needs to turn on, although it is still rather cool here in Oregon. When it does finally kick on temps drop fast, faster than the thermostat can keep up with.
I'm not using a shroud and instead picked up four Spal SPU-IX-30130011 cut to length brackets. They press fit into the fan and then you can bolt the other end to the radiator shroud mounting points. I have mine positioned such that it still influences the oil cooler underneath the radiator, although I do not have any temp data to prove how optimal that is. Regardless, it covers about the same area as the factory shroud did. The fan is also slim enough to clear the water pump pulley on a 12A; I have a feeling the 13B would be quite tight. Here's a couple photos:
the 3500cfm Ford Contour (v6) fan is a about an inch wider than the radiator. Using 1.5” aluminum flat to extend the mount worked well. There was I needed to make new holes to mount the shroud to the aluminum flat bar. I used a neoprene rubber to fill the gaps. Silicon hose was added around the mounting bolts to act as an isolator / dampener. Tighten the bolt and compress the silicon. I did need to cut one on the web supports to clear the lower hose. It’s not a direct bolt in, but there are hundreds of “how too’s” online and if you are comfortable with fabrication using hand tools this may be looking at. This fan apparently uses about 35 amps. Not positive that this would be a good match with a 12a alternator. You may need to go S4 minimum. I cannot confirm that the stock battery will fit. I do know that the battery tray , the white plastic thing, will not . The fan shroud cuts into the space occupied by the battery slightly. In all I personally am happy with my choice going with the Ford fan, but you will need to decide if it’s right for you.
the 3500cfm Ford Contour (v6) fan is a about an inch wider than the radiator. Using 1.5” aluminum flat to extend the mount worked well. There was I needed to make new holes to mount the shroud to the aluminum flat bar. I used a neoprene rubber to fill the gaps. Silicon hose was added around the mounting bolts to act as an isolator / dampener. Tighten the bolt and compress the silicon. I did need to cut one on the web supports to clear the lower hose. It’s not a direct bolt in, but there are hundreds of “how too’s” online and if you are comfortable with fabrication using hand tools this may be looking at. This fan apparently uses about 35 amps. Not positive that this would be a good match with a 12a alternator. You may need to go S4 minimum. I cannot confirm that the stock battery will fit. I do know that the battery tray , the white plastic thing, will not . The fan shroud cuts into the space occupied by the battery slightly. In all I personally am happy with my choice going with the Ford fan, but you will need to decide if it’s right for you.
That its something to consider...3500 cfm it's awesome....but my radiator doesn't have the upper hose area raised like in your radiator....mine is flat...
Will have to check....
Last edited by raven12aFB; Mar 10, 2021 at 09:34 AM.
I assume this is a shorty radiator you have. (79-82) with the oil cooler underneath. the Contour fan is a bit short in the vertical I think this could work for you. Here is the dimensions to help you decide.
I assume this is a shorty radiator you have. (79-82) with the oil cooler underneath. the Contour fan is a bit short in the vertical I think this could work for you. Here is the dimensions to help you decide.
Hey Richard....thanks for the suggestion...I ordered the Contour fan...
In a 81 Rx7 running a short radiator with oil cooler under. Details of the setup are here: http://gilded.epizy.com/car/projectpart8.html
The car runs an AC and front mount intercooler, in a sub tropical climate with weeks topping 30 Celsius over summer. It's been in the car for 6 years now and it works.
I talk about the design considerations on that web page. The two Spal paddle blade fans move a lot of air and sit either side of the water pump pulley. It also forces air through the oil cooler like the factory mechanical fan did which is an important factor in these cars
If I trim it to clear the hose outlets the bottom outlet would've been inside the fan...so that was a no no and I sent it back.
And I when thought that those were the closest ones and I will have to hang a fan thru the fins I found a dual fan set with shroud made by Derale....was close to $200.00 more that the Contour fan but it's all about the measurements and the CFMs.... close to 2800 CFMs...it's half a inch smaller from the 12 inch measurement between the outlets and only two inches wider that the radiator but it's all edge outside the fans...
I will post pics and a update as soon as I get the fan on the mail....
to put in a plug for SPAL -- they're an OEM supplier, so hopefully the quality transfers to their aftermarket stuff. I'm running a front-mounted FC oil cooler that's mounted high enough that the fan pulls air through it and the radiator. I don't know if I'm just lucky, but my fan very rarely turns on. I do have a lower pan in good condition, all the shrouds are in place, and I have a foam closeout around the lower portion of the radiator.
Fan: SPAL 30101516 (16" diameter / 1600 CFM)
Thermostat: Stock 180 deg F
Fan Switch: JET-60601 (on at 195 deg F / off at 185 deg F), inserted into water pump housing.
