Radiator Fans

macloft · #1 (**permalink**) 08-03-2007, 06:43 PM

Radiator is finished now I need some fans. I notice a lot of US cars have fans blowing into the radiator. What is the performance difference between blowing through the radiator as opposed to drawing air through. Or is it a cosmetic /ADR issue that Aussie cars appear to use the fan to draw air through the radiator.
Thanks Bruce

slow 427 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-03-2007, 07:22 PM

Hi Bruce as far as I know they arent as effective as a pull through system.
Carrol Shelby mounted twin fans on the front because thats what was avaliable at the time in the1960's.
So if you want the "original" look get yourself 2 aluminium fans and mount them to the front.
ADR's have no problems with where they are mounted.

slow 427 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-03-2007, 07:22 PM

Hi Bruce as far as I know they arent as effective as a pull through system.
Carrol Shelby mounted twin fans on the front because thats what was avaliable at the time in the1960's.
So if you want the "original" look get yourself 2 aluminium fans and mount them to the front.
ADR's have no problems with where they are mounted.

shaun mellish · #4 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 01:06 AM

pulling fans work slightly better, they look better on the engine side of a cobra. i would only use a push fan if there is no room or on a hot rod where the grill would hide it if thats the look a customer wants. i carry one of if not the best fans on the market if you need help

sambo · #5 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 01:36 AM

Shaun, which fan is that? Do you have a link please?

400TT · #6 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 01:46 AM

Most Cobra's here use a single 16" thermo(pulling) and the Davis Craig unit is a favourite. Although there is more choice these days. Most are not shrouded, although I few have some nice shrouds. PhilM has a nice photo of his shroud in his gallery, it's a work of art like the rest of his build.

Aussie Mike · #7 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 02:26 AM

16" Thermo mounted on the inside works fine for me.

Cheers

acecob · #8 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 06:06 AM

Mike looking at that photo how does the water flow through the cores if the inlet and outlet are on the same tank, shouldn't they be on oppsite sides so the coolant has to flow through the cores.

Aussie Mike · #9 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 07:02 AM

Hi Peter,

It's a double pass radiator. There's a plate inside the right hand end tank dividing into a seperate top and bottom section. Coolant passes from the top hose across the radiator cooling as it goes. It then travels down the left hand tank and back across the bottom radiator to the bottom hose connection.

It's supposed to make more efficient use of the core as it forces the coolant accross more of the radiators surface area rather than just taking the path of least resistance. It also made my plumbing tidier having both connections on the same side.

Norm at Aussie Deset coolers built it for me. I made the fan brackets and have since switched to AN connections on the left hand tank. The top one is to purge any air out of the system and is a AN #6 and the middle one is the fill pipe from the header tank and is an AN #10 now.

Cheers

Philm · #10 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 03:46 PM

As Craig has said I have the fan shrouded.

The radiator and shroud was built by Shaun. The fan mounts to the radiator and the shoud goes over the top.

Phil

macloft · #11 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 10:30 PM

Phil like Mikes car yours is an engineering picture. Shaun also does nice work. I will attempt to follow the fan behind the radiator with a shroud.
Thanks
Bruce

shaun mellish · #12 (**permalink**) 08-06-2007, 03:55 AM

i use spal fans on all my radiators. they are made in italy. and flow alot more air then a davies graig.