Fan options 318 Barracuda

[Righty]

Just interested in thoughts on fan options. The previous owner fitted an electric fan to the car with a little diy switch and no thermostat link. I'm not keen on electric fans especially when they've been McGyvered in. The shroud on this one doesnt even cover the whole rad. I think the radiator is stock but dont have a parts manual to check the numbers. As with everything I know there's a lot of options here - new ally rad, clutch fan etc. I have a 18.5" 7 blade fan which I am thinking of fitting, it's fixed not clutch and at the moment I don't have a shroud but I'd be curious as to what people think of this as a replacement for the electric fan and ideas on who makes a suitable shroud.

 

[Kendog 170]

Measure the radiator and do a wanted ad. I would definitely go with a shroud. Not sure if that's a slant six sized radiator but if it is a slant shroud fits upside down as well. You could run that fan temporarily if it doesn't interfere with the upper hose.

 

[junkyardhero]

that radiator is certainly not stock. it *appears* to be a slant six radiator from a later 70+ model of a-body

the only thing i hate more than overheating cars is chasing down an overheating problem.

i'd go spend big dumb money and do something like this:

OER Replacement Radiator, 22" Wide

MRE - Radiator Fan Shroud

then add a clutch to the fan you've got and you should be in business.
(pending waterpump, appropriately sized pulleys and t-stat)

 

[Righty]

Thanks guys, I keep forgetting I do have the parts manual on my iPad, anyway 2949 031 does turn out to be a stock radiator on 273 and 318 cars it’s only 19” core. The cars going to Australia with me, so that’s probably not going to hack it in those temps.

 

[Syleng1]

Side note: a Dodge Dakota has a clutch fan that bolts right on to the water pump.
I believe the 5.2 and the 3.9 from the first gen Dakota will work. The fan is what I have on my 66- 273 Barracuda.
They are 18” outer diameter and from face of clutch to water pump mount face 3-1/2”
Here is a picture of one I found at Carlisle as a back up about 2 years ago for $5 with an almost new HD clutch. Also- shrouds make a world of difference. Trust me.

Syleng1

 

[Righty]

Side note: a Dodge Dakota has a clutch fan that bolts right on to the water pump.
I believe the 5.2 and the 3.9 from the first gen Dakota will work. The fan is what I have on my 66- 273 Barracuda.
They are 18” outer diameter and from face of clutch to water pump mount face 3-1/2”
Here is a picture of one I found at Carlisle as a back up about 2 years ago for $5 with an almost new HD clutch. Also- shrouds make a world of difference. Trust me. View attachment 1716392951
Syleng1

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Nice idea, I think perhaps the 1993 era Cherokee clutch might be similar (Dakota not available in the UK). Out of curiosity what is the thinking with asymmetrical blades, any idea?

 

[junkyardhero]

Nice idea, I think perhaps the 1993 era Cherokee clutch might be similar (Dakota not available in the UK). Out of curiosity what is the thinking with asymmetrical blades, any idea?

watch that the cherokee isn't magnum as the waterpump is reverse rotation.

the design of the blades is mainly for noise. there are other specifics involved (balance, flow), but noise is probably number one on the hit list.

 

[Syleng1]

Nice idea, I think perhaps the 1993 era Cherokee clutch might be similar (Dakota not available in the UK). Out of curiosity what is the thinking with asymmetrical blades, any idea?

Noise. By separating the blades as such they broke the vibration / noise.
I’m assuming that the breaks also give faster spin up times.

 

[mvh]

It depends on your climate, of course. But I found my 273 Commando kept cool just fine in California with a 3-row radiator and a 7-blade fixed fan. Never came close to overheating in any circumstances. I recently installed a clutch fan (also 7 blade) just to cut down on power loss (and noise). Didn't seem to make any difference in the cooling effectiveness.

BTW, not all 7-blade fans are the same. Some have a more aggressive blade pitch (they move more air, but cause more drag). Mine was from a big block car (383-S), so it was on the aggressive side. I eventually decided it was too much for my little 273.

 

[Dana67Dart]

). Out of curiosity what is the thinking with asymmetrical blades, any idea

Noise. By separating the blades as such they broke the vibration / noise

Take a look at the tread on your tires. The treads are random size and spacing. All to reduce noise / harmonics

 

[Syleng1]

Take a look at the tread on your tires. The treads are random size and spacing. All to reduce noise / harmonics

“Harmonics.” Thank you Dana. That was the word I was looking for but could not find it in my old head.

 

[Dana67Dart]

Heterodyne is the other word. That's the wab wab wab sound you here when two frequency are really close to the same but slightly off.

 

[Righty]

So presumably these asymmetric fan designs would have some form of balancing weight applied to prevent vibration that would be magnified along the clutch shaft damaging the water pump?

 

[Righty]

It depends on your climate, of course. But I found my 273 Commando kept cool just fine in California with a 3-row radiator and a 7-blade fixed fan. Never came close to overheating in any circumstances. I recently installed a clutch fan (also 7 blade) just to cut down on power loss (and noise). Didn't seem to make any difference in the cooling effectiveness.

BTW, not all 7-blade fans are the same. Some have a more aggressive blade pitch (they move more air, but cause more drag). Mine was from a big block car (383-S), so it was on the aggressive side. I eventually decided it was too much for my little 273.

i think initially i will remove the electric fan and use the 7 blade fixed. Once the car is in Australia I can replace the 19” with a 22” with a shroud if I feel it is needed. Chrysler Australia imported and built plenty of A body variants over the years, so it will certainly be cheaper to do that there than in the UK. Shipping and duty basically double the costs here.

 

[Kendog 170]

If your crafty you can make one. I made one for my Dart with a Dart board lol.

 

[Righty]

If your crafty you can make one. I made one for my Dart with a Dart board lol.

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So you tacked the woven glass round onto the back to give it tension and hold the flat funnel shape and then soaked it in the resin? That is smart, saves trying to sculpt up a buck in polystyrene. I'm trying to see if you glassed the angle strip in when you moulded it or did you attach them after?

 

[Kendog 170]

I attached after but you could glass them in if your that confident of the fit. I used stretchy fabric I got at JoAnne's. Brush on the resin. After you pop it off, you reinforce it on the inside with Matt so it has some strength.