What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

$200 K5 (454 K5 now) *too much junk in the trunk

Overview Gallery Discussion
imiceman44 said:
I have to agree with most here there's something not right, you shouldn't have that much trouble cooling it.
I would first doubt you Chinese fans are doing their job but don't dismiss the whole system, make sure coolant is flowing properly, no restrictions, water pump with correct rotation and no air in the system.
Click to expand...
I know about the reverse rotation of the serpentine, sure I bought the water pump for the later model engine. I think it would have fully overheated if the rotation was wrong. Isn't there an easy visual difference in the 2 pumps?

When I changed the t-stat the radiator was totally full and it had burped into the overflow tank. The upper hose also felt like it was full of coolant.

I am pretty sure it needs real fans. Hard to not try them when they are almost free in a package with the radiator.
 
That makes total sense, and I agree with that thought process, but those weak fans with the 502 on a hot day with the AC on would not even keep up on the freeway at 75 MPH. I think they literally won't even let enough air through at speed. So I would say, if you know the thermostat is opening, and you know the water pump and radiator are good, just get some good Derale or Spal fans, hook them up with proper size wiring, fuses, and relays, and it'll be good.

Some flaps to open at speed are nice, but not if they let air bypass the radiator to get to the fans.

You shouldn't need louvers, the bottom of the engine compartment is pretty much wide open.

I look at it like this, if the radiator is cool but the engine is hot, the problem points toward water flow. If the radiator is just as hot it is likely airflow.
 
nvrenuf said:
(cough) 9 blade fan and hd clutch, no issues..... (cough)
Click to expand...

nvrenuf said:
(cough) 9 blade fan and hd clutch, no issues..... (cough)

:D
Click to expand...
I really like mechanical fans too. While stepping up to fuel injection I would like to fully use the capabilities of the ECU to control the fans. If it doesn't work out I will go mechanical, I had my suspicions with the electric fans from the beginning.
 
To each his own, I know a lot of people like and use electric fans which is fine. I just find it interesting/funny the lengths (and cost) that people will go to trying to make electric fans do what mechanical fan already does, simply. They can be cleaner and fancy looking but they sure take a lot of work to get to the point of “forget it’s there” dependability.
 
Last edited:
I use electric fans because mechanical fans suck power, especially at higher RPM. Simply put, it makes the vehicle slower. This is because a mechanical fan takes power exponentially as RPM climbs. Electric fans do take power, but you can shut them off during a short race for zero loss, and when on they don't take any more power at mid or high RPM than they do at idle. I have my fans in my regal set so above 50% throttle they shut off, or above 50 MPH. Because I can't leave it above that throttle for any significant length of time, and when I am at that throttle, wind speed is pretty immediate anyway.

A mechanical fan has to flow enough air to cool at idle and low speed in traffic, and since it's directly connected to the engine, that means it takes way more power to run at speed, this also takes more fuel. This is why vehicles come with electric fans from the factory.

But yes, you need good fans, once you have them, it's usually pretty maintenance free.
 
Last edited:
Another benefit, would be extreme frame flex. Mechanical fan could hit the shroud. I still run them though.
 
I understand the benefits of electric fans with respect to saving hp, etc but there's only a small percentage of the 4wd market that runs at higher rpm. Is it worth working so hard to save 5-10 hp while at the same time there's no effort to lose weight on a truck that weighs 6k+ lbs?

Imo, electric fans, 52" front springs and Spandex are not necessarily always a good mod.

@HankScorpio I apologize for derailing your thread.
 
nvrenuf said:
I understand the benefits of electric fans with respect to saving hp, etc but there's only a small percentage of the 4wd market that runs at higher rpm. Is it worth working so hard to save 5-10 hp while at the same time there's no effort to lose weight on a truck that weighs 6k+ lbs?

Imo, electric fans, 52" front springs and Spandex are not necessarily always a good mod.

@HankScorpio I apologize for derailing your thread.
Click to expand...
No worries, discussion is how we figure things out. I am actually really psyched that a bunch of guys want to talk about my truck and help me make it work well.
 
I wasn't saying you didn't know the benefits, I figured you did, I just stated why I use them.

That's what's great about modding vehicles, I can put on electric fans and you can keep your belt driven fan and we are both happy. :cool:

I can also put in effort to lose weight on the truck too, where for others they would rather have heavy rock protection.

Every vehicle should match the owner, we don't have cookie cutter vehicles on this site, which is awesome.

I'll also add, it can be easily up to 30 HP loss with a fan, it's usually not just 5 or 10.
 
Last edited:
nvrenuf said:
Imo, electric fans, 52" front springs and Spandex are not necessarily always a good mod.

@HankScorpio I apologize for derailing your thread.
Click to expand...

This is the main reason why I run electric on the crawler.
IMG_3208.png

Cool as a cucumber with the fans off and water flowing by.
 
Derale dual 12" fans rated at 4000cfm. They are Spal fans. Moves a ton more air, you can actually hear them over the engine. They have rubber flappers to let air through at speed.
 
Those should solve your problem.

My problem was solved swapping the fans to the Derale as well. I drove it and one fan was turning back off as it dropped back down below 185, and it was 85 degrees at the time. So basically one of those 265W fans of the same diameter does more than the dual 120W fans.
 
folkenheath said:
Those should solve your problem.

My problem was solved swapping the fans to the Derale as well. I drove it and one fan was turning back off as it dropped back down below 185, and it was 85 degrees at the time. So basically one of those 265W fans of the same diameter does more than the dual 120W fans.
Click to expand...
Thats about what I was just now seeing driving around. With fan 1 set for 175 and fan 2 set at 185 the truck would idle in traffic at 185 no problem. Its 85 outside and fan 2 would even shut down sometimes driving around. The intake air numbers were much better too.
 
All this discussion of the challenges of cooling a big block and today I was driving the SBC equipped C10 home in the low 80's with the AC running and it barely got over 165° coolant temp.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom