Fan backwards?

[smlblk318]

Just replaced my non thermal clutch with a thermal one. Went to bolt the fan to the new clutch in the same orientation as removed and it didn't sit right. Flipped it over and it fit perfectly. Is it possible the fan was installed backwards since before I bought the car 4 yrs ago? Temp was consistent at around 200°-207° the whole time. Gonna drive it tomorrow and see if temps change. Will I hurt anything if I'm wrong on the orientation that fits well? Didn't like the blades touching the clutch.

 

[toolmanmike]

Just replaced my non thermal clutch with a thermal one. Went to bolt the fan to the new clutch in the same orientation as removed and it didn't sit right. Flipped it over and it fit perfectly. Is it possible the fan was installed backwards since before I bought the car 4 yrs ago? Temp was consistent at around 200°-207° the whole time. Gonna drive it tomorrow and see if temps change. Will I hurt anything if I'm wrong on the orientation that fits well? Didn't like the blades touching the clutch.

I did that to my Swinger. I bought a bigger radiator from Glen Ray and Bob wanted to see how it fit. First thing he said is "Hey, your fan is backwards" We laughed and I don't know if I ever switched it back. It still pulls air through the radiator. It's just that the bent tips on the ends of the blades are facing the wrong way.

 

[Inertia]

Fans can be more efficient , ie. front to back.

But to change the direction of flow from suck to blow, requires the direction of rotation be reversed, not just turn the fan around.

 

[toolmanmike]

Fans can be more efficient , ie. front to back.

But to change the direction of flow from suck to blow, requires the direction of rotation be reversed, not just turn the fan around.

Exactly. I think the ends are supposed to be facing rearward towards the firewall.

 

[67Dart273]

WITHOUT PHOTOS this thread is useless!!!

I don't think I've ever seen a fan that was equally efficient in both directions, so, yeh. It matters

 

[toolmanmike]

WITHOUT PHOTOS this thread is useless!!!

I don't think I've ever seen a fan that was equally efficient in both directions, so, yeh. It matters

I looked through my few hundred photos and didn't find one. If I get to the storage garage tomorrow I will snap a pic or two.

 

[MoparLeo]

Remember that the fan is moot after about 45 mph.
The fan is only for idling/low speeds. That is why you want a clutch to disengage the blades at high speeds so they don't drain HP from churning air.

 

[circlepilot]

A fan (propeller) story. Way back when, I was teaching a friend to fly control-line model airplanes. Regardless of how the engine speed was adjusted, he complained that the model was flying too fast, and he was unable to overcome getting dizzy. So I removed the propeller and put it back on backwards. He was convinced the model would try to fly backwards. To his surprise the plane flew slower and he was able to keep up without getting dizzy. This reflects the comment about the loss of HP (thrust). That's exactly what it did.
Norm

 

[smlblk318]

Remember that the fan is moot after about 45 mph.
The fan is only for idling/low speeds. That is why you want a clutch to disengage the blades at high speeds so they don't drain HP from churning air.

In that case, I must have some kind of problem because at 60 to 65 mph my temperatures are consistently over 200

 

[MoparLeo]

After about 45 mph the speed of the car exceeds the speed that the fan can pull air through the radiator.
Why do you think electric fans turn off when the car cools down ?
Educate yourself on the function of a radiator fan,
The Functions Of A Radiator Fan - Sciencing

 

[Kern Dog]

I looked through my few hundred photos and didn't find one. If I get to the storage garage tomorrow I will snap a pic or two.

 

[4spdragtop]

I had our 7 blade on backwards on 273, then 340.

 

[dano]

In that case, I must have some kind of problem because at 60 to 65 mph my temperatures are consistently over 200

Usually that's a tuning issue. Too lean and/or too retarded on the timing. Could be sucking the lower hose closed too.

 

[nutz]

or not enough flow threw your rad