Aftermarket AC Condenser Install

jonn6464 said
Hey FABO,

I'm looking for some advice about installing an aftermarket AC system.

Car is a 70 Duster.

I have an AC system that came with a 12" electric fan for the condenser. The condenser fits, with no trouble, in front of (towards the grill) the radiator.
The radiator is also aftermarket with electric fan.

Is the condenser fan absolutely necessary, or will the rad fan and the position of the condenser on front of the rad be enough cooling?

With the fan and condenser, it extends into the space for the radiator about 2".

Alternately, I guess I can make 2" spacer brackets for the radiator mount to push it back. But I don't have the engine in yet so I can't check for clearance.

Thanks for any replies.

I used to run a twin Spal electric fan set-up with their fan controller. It worked very well, but it required 2 relays and had a soft start fan controller function to reduce the 40 amp current draw those fans have at start up.

Obviously, I had to upgrade my electrical system to feed the fans and all the rest of my added electrical load. Unless you have a very good quality electrical fan on your car, it won't likely cool your car properly.

Generally, the amp requirements of many electric fans exceed factory alternator's ability to feed it, especially at low idle. The factory wiring also needs to have some of it's limitations addressed by taking into consideration the connections, routing and wire gauge size.

Later, I switched back to the factory HD shroud and thermal clutch fan. It worked even better.

Another thing you can do is block the air from being able to go around the radiator and condenser, so more air is forced to pass through the condenser and radiator.