I butchered the housing/shroud on the unit I have now to fit my tiny radiator.
CK5
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'89 R3500 Crew Cab 2wd to 4wd conversion & beyond
- Thread starter mrk5
- Start date
Started out with 2wd TBI350 with SM465 to current 4wd with 454, 700r4, NP241
Buy the shroud that got posted in my wanted thread. Put a heavy duty fan clutch on the pump and a big block fan. Call it a day. No offense to guys running electric, but the right combo of stock parts will keep that big block cool. I don't think Larry's rig broke 200 on out trip to Utah with the AC running. Just throwing that out there.
There is a severe duty application for a fan clutch that when combined with a 7 blade fan is just unbeatable (if you had an adequate radiator).
Or spend the $40 for a used set of Windstars or $150 for a new set..
No offensive against manual fan guys, but I can run my fans with the truck off. They can run full on high, at idle thus building no more heat. They move a ton of air. As well as going down the road, if they are not needed, they are not on.
No offensive against manual fan guys, but I can run my fans with the truck off. They can run full on high, at idle thus building no more heat. They move a ton of air. As well as going down the road, if they are not needed, they are not on.
new windstars are about $75
Different strokes. I don't deny the effectiveness of electric fans. Pretty much Every gas powered full size truck GM made since 2010 or 11 has them now. I'm not up for hearing those hair dryers blowing as I'm creeping along with the windows down. Personal preference I suppose.
But still, if mine was running hot it sure would be nice to flip a switch with it off and get some cool down.
I hadn't thought about mechanical. I guess it's actually been a long time since i had anything other than electric. It's any interesting idea to ponder.
I was looking at new Windstar fans and I didn't know there are 2 versions; 95-98 and 99-03. Only visual difference is the number of blades on the smaller fan. And the newer version is $10 cheaper.
I was looking at new Windstar fans and I didn't know there are 2 versions; 95-98 and 99-03. Only visual difference is the number of blades on the smaller fan. And the newer version is $10 cheaper.
I'd go manual for normal use and add on a pusher electric if needed for low speed crawling but if you cooling system is big enough and setup properly you should be fine. My stock 6.2L with the diesel rad never gets above 190 on my mechanical gauge and I never really notice the fan come on when off road. It might and I just don't hear it.
Here's something I'm pondering.
I popped $105 for new set of Windstar fans. My plan had been to build a shroud that covers the entire radiator to mount the fan to. The radiator core is about 2" tall and 4" wider than the fans.
Then I was thinking I could just mount the fans to the radiator and leave the area they don't cover open. I feel like this could work because right now the radiator is smaller than the fans but still cools the motor fine on the trail or stopped in traffic. I'm really trying to pick up extra cooling on the highway which would be aided by leaving the rest of the radiator open for unabated air flow.
Thoughts?
I popped $105 for new set of Windstar fans. My plan had been to build a shroud that covers the entire radiator to mount the fan to. The radiator core is about 2" tall and 4" wider than the fans.
Then I was thinking I could just mount the fans to the radiator and leave the area they don't cover open. I feel like this could work because right now the radiator is smaller than the fans but still cools the motor fine on the trail or stopped in traffic. I'm really trying to pick up extra cooling on the highway which would be aided by leaving the rest of the radiator open for unabated air flow.
Thoughts?
No reason to make the shroud bigger then the fans. They are going to cool fine. The larger open area is going to help cool on the freeway.
The only issue you may have is where you mount the trans/ oil cooler and weather or not they are getting flow from the fans.
The only issue you may have is where you mount the trans/ oil cooler and weather or not they are getting flow from the fans.
Seems to me it would work. The point of a fan shroud covering the whole radiator for a fan mounted to the engine is so that it pulls air through the radiator and nowhere else. For a fan mounted directly to the radiator, it won't be pulling from the area you cover with a shroud anyway, so covering it won't help. At least that what makes sense to me.
That's kinda what I'm thinking. It will still have a shroud for the fans, just not for the entire radiator. I think based on past experience the worst case will be that it runs a little warmer than I'd like on the trail but not out of control. So if that happens I can come back and build a full shroud.
I picked up a set of factory used diesel radiator brackets from a fellow CK5er (thanks @ZooMad75 for putting up with me pushing in on your WANTED thread). The new ones I bought from LMC definitely would not have worked.
BIG size difference.
I picked up a set of factory used diesel radiator brackets from a fellow CK5er (thanks @ZooMad75 for putting up with me pushing in on your WANTED thread). The new ones I bought from LMC definitely would not have worked.
BIG size difference.
Glad you got some brackets. The ones that I ordered came in and they are indeed the little ones. But the part number does not match the catalog. Will be calling to chew on somebody as I called them prior to ordering and they assured me it's the right stuff. If they only have the little ones I'll be back on the hunt.
Finally got the bigger radiator installed. The radiator I ended up with is for a 94-00 Chevy/GMC truck with a 454. It measures nearly identical to a 6.2L radiator, but not as expensive. I ordered the top and bottom radiator hoses for the same application. The bottom hose was perfect but the top hose needed a different thermostat housing so I had to improvise. The brackets and isolators for the 6.2L application worked perfect.
These radiators are HUGE. Comparison with the Griffin radiator I had been running.
Standard radiator would end about where the horn is but here you can see the radiator through some openings much further to the right.
2 things to see in the picture below. First my power steering cooler lines are in the way of the new radiator as well as the charcoal canister. The other thing to see is where the isolator goes on this side.
If you look down below the power steering cooler lines you can see where the isolator goes for a standard radiator. It's hard to see the location for the diesel radiator but it's kinda below the bolt the holds clamp for the charcoal canister. Essentially the new radiator is 6" wider than standard.
Here's a picture of the isolator location for the other side.
The diesel radiator heads are about 1" thicker and you can see that in the picture above.
Here it is installed.
Gets pretty close the driver side battery.
Here's the bottom radiator fit. It is also for the 94-00 Chevy truck with 454.
Possible problem is a big gap between the core support and radiator. This could be a place for air to escape without going thru the radiator.
I didn't buy the factory cover when I bought the brackets because it was going to require a big box. So I bent one out of 080 aluminum.
I ultimately decided to stick with the Windstar fans. If you looked way back in the thread you'd see I had butchered the fans to fit the Griffin radiator. I purchased a new set for the 99-03 Windstars; the old set was for a 95-98.
I used the bottom factory fan shroud bolts to hold the bottom of the fans.
I bolted a piece of aluminum angle to the bottom of the fans with slots for the bolts picture above.
For the top I used 3 brackets bolted to the cover I made. I didn't want this to be a solid long piece so the air could flow through on the highway.
I did have to add a spacer because I didn't want the fans to touch the radiator. You can see the spacer I added, it's the white strip with writing on it.
About an 1/8" gap on the top and 1/4" on the bottom.
There isn't a ton of room between the motor for the smaller fan and the alternator.
Here's pictures of the finished install.
For the top hose I was able to use a piece of the application specific hose and the hose I was using before.
This demonstration of the suction of the largest Windstar fan really impressed me.
The radiator has to be nearly 6" from the grill. I'm impressed it could pull that far through the radiator and hold the rag on the grill that has pretty large openings.
No test drive yet. Just did some heat cycles in the shop to get the radiator topped off. Our shop is not air conditioned so it had to be at least upper 90's in there. The single large fan would hold the temperature at 178F. I'm running a 180F thermostat so I would say 178F is the equilibrium point. With the old radiator the fan would cycle all the time. I feel like this is a good indication the system is nicely balanced now.
I also replaced the CTS that came with the Sniper in favor of the venerable AC Delco CTS and now the temperatures all agree.
These radiators are HUGE. Comparison with the Griffin radiator I had been running.
Standard radiator would end about where the horn is but here you can see the radiator through some openings much further to the right.
2 things to see in the picture below. First my power steering cooler lines are in the way of the new radiator as well as the charcoal canister. The other thing to see is where the isolator goes on this side.
If you look down below the power steering cooler lines you can see where the isolator goes for a standard radiator. It's hard to see the location for the diesel radiator but it's kinda below the bolt the holds clamp for the charcoal canister. Essentially the new radiator is 6" wider than standard.
Here's a picture of the isolator location for the other side.
The diesel radiator heads are about 1" thicker and you can see that in the picture above.
Here it is installed.
Gets pretty close the driver side battery.
Here's the bottom radiator fit. It is also for the 94-00 Chevy truck with 454.
Possible problem is a big gap between the core support and radiator. This could be a place for air to escape without going thru the radiator.
I didn't buy the factory cover when I bought the brackets because it was going to require a big box. So I bent one out of 080 aluminum.
I ultimately decided to stick with the Windstar fans. If you looked way back in the thread you'd see I had butchered the fans to fit the Griffin radiator. I purchased a new set for the 99-03 Windstars; the old set was for a 95-98.
I used the bottom factory fan shroud bolts to hold the bottom of the fans.
I bolted a piece of aluminum angle to the bottom of the fans with slots for the bolts picture above.
For the top I used 3 brackets bolted to the cover I made. I didn't want this to be a solid long piece so the air could flow through on the highway.
I did have to add a spacer because I didn't want the fans to touch the radiator. You can see the spacer I added, it's the white strip with writing on it.
About an 1/8" gap on the top and 1/4" on the bottom.
There isn't a ton of room between the motor for the smaller fan and the alternator.
Here's pictures of the finished install.
For the top hose I was able to use a piece of the application specific hose and the hose I was using before.
This demonstration of the suction of the largest Windstar fan really impressed me.
The radiator has to be nearly 6" from the grill. I'm impressed it could pull that far through the radiator and hold the rag on the grill that has pretty large openings.
No test drive yet. Just did some heat cycles in the shop to get the radiator topped off. Our shop is not air conditioned so it had to be at least upper 90's in there. The single large fan would hold the temperature at 178F. I'm running a 180F thermostat so I would say 178F is the equilibrium point. With the old radiator the fan would cycle all the time. I feel like this is a good indication the system is nicely balanced now.
I also replaced the CTS that came with the Sniper in favor of the venerable AC Delco CTS and now the temperatures all agree.
Nice work, that larger rad should do well.
Interesting about the coolant temp sensor.
Interesting about the coolant temp sensor.
Seems to be nearly standard procedure from what I've read.
454Sub
5/8 ton status
That is brilliant. Literally the end all for cooling problems in stock based rigs.
It had better be. LOL
I do think it's interesting the 80's 454 stuff all used standard width radiators but in the 90's they went to the wide core. I wonder if it has to do with the prevalence of AC. And maybe getting more towing capacity.
I do think it's interesting the 80's 454 stuff all used standard width radiators but in the 90's they went to the wide core. I wonder if it has to do with the prevalence of AC. And maybe getting more towing capacity.
With the Holly I assume?
