Windstar, rads, and 454's

[fireplug]

I'm having some cooling issues that are revolving around a pin prick of a leak in the rad, and I'm sure just an aging cooling system in general.

I've got a new aluminum rad and the Windstar fans and was thinking about ramping this project up and doing the install asap.

However I'm now considering going big block if I can arrange a cross border deal with a CK5 member.

My questions are thus related. Are big block rads the same size (width and height), are the water pumps interchangeable? And just generally, is it adviseable to wait until I have the motor in before doing the swap?

Also I was hoping to confirm, is anyone running a big block with the Windstar fans? A recent post suggested that no one or not many are.

 

[bp71k5]

I'm pretty sure the big blocks came with a 4-core radiator. I don't have one myself, but I think the electric fans actually give you more room compared to the mechanical fan. I'd also guess that the water pump is different on a bbc.

 

[mechted]

ive got a 396 with a windstar fan on a radiator thats the same dims as a 4-core (newer 2-core style) mechanically it will fit, but the motors of the fans actually cross the plane of the v-belts... so there is a potential for problems.

as far as cooling it, i have to have both fans going to stay under 210... but i think its due to fan shroud issues...

 

[fireplug]

Thanks for the info, anyone else?

 

[rwright07]

sorry to hijack, but what about the windstar fans used w/ the 6.2 deisel engine? anyone have any experience or thoughts?

 

[mechted]

Ok... i was wrong! and here are the pics of my rig to prove it... for some reason, i thought it crossed the v belts, but it doesnt.

Driver side shot, overhead shot, and pass side shot.

One thing: If you have to have both fans running more than 50% of time, a 63amp alternator will not be able to keep up, and you will kill your battery... thus the 105A alt seen in the last pic

You should be able to mount up the fans prior to engine swap, then remove them for the swap (pull radiator too - dont want to ruin a new radiator) and then remount everything after the swap... nothing should change, just clearances get smaller.

 

[fireplug]

Thanks a lot for the pics. Good info.

 

[Blazr77400]

Here are a couple of pics of Windstar fans.
The first one is on my Crew cab with a big block and 2 core aluminum radiator. With the a/c on and 95 degrees outside, if I let it idle it will take about 15 minutes to get to 215 degrees. Hasnt got any hotter yet.

The second one is my old blue truck with a 406sb with diesel radiator. In 95 degree weather the fans wouldnt even turn on if I was moving at all. When it would idle it would take about 10 minutes to get to 200 degrees then the fans would kick on and cool it to 165 degrees.

I am pretty sure with the old Turboed 6.2 it would of cooled just fine.

 

[fireplug]

Again, great pics thanks. Ok well it's good to know that the Windstar fans will cool effectively.