John Bonnett
|
| posted on 29/6/06 at 05:04 PM |
|
|
Radiator Fan Pusher Type
Hi Everybody,
I've just fitted a nice aluminium crossflow radiator to my Phoenix chassis and find that there is insufficient room to mount a cooling fan
behind it. I need a fan to fit in front of the rad. I know there are some around that are claimed to push and pull depending on the polarity but I
would appreciate advice from someone with actual running experience.
Some kits mount directly to the rad with a sort of tie wrap arrangement. Any feelings on these? Should I weld up a purpose made mount for the fan?
Any advice gratefully received. Thank you.
John
|
|
|
|
|
chrisj
|
| posted on 29/6/06 at 05:18 PM |
|
|
Check out the Pacet website. You should only mount fans on the rear of the rad as you get the most efficent use of the air flow. However, I think
blowing cold external air rather than sucking is better as long as it has somewhere to go afterwards ! It will be at standstill when things go pear
shaped.
The ties through the core are a good quick fix and certainly get the fans close the face but I've noticed after playing with back and front
fixings that they really distort the core.
If you can mount a fan in a frame close enough to the front face jobs a good un.
|
|
|
John Bonnett
|
| posted on 29/6/06 at 05:50 PM |
|
|
Thank you Chris,
I'll have a look at the Pacet site. I too had misgivings over these fixings so I may have to bite the bullet and make something a little better.
Once again thank you.
Cheers
John
|
|
|
SeaBass
|
| posted on 29/6/06 at 07:16 PM |
|
|
French car manufacturers seem to mount the fan in a pusher style. Germans seem to mount behind as a puller IMHO...
Depends what the fan was designed to do. I took a fan off a Citroen BX in a scrapper and its almost powerful enough to pull the car along. It sits
infront of the rad. Doesn't seem very restrictive in terms of 'natural' airflow when cruising.
Just my 2p!!
Cheers
|
|
|
RazMan
|
| posted on 29/6/06 at 09:45 PM |
|
|
You should be able to reverse the flow of most fans by changing the polarity and the fan blades (due to their aerofoil shape) I did this to my
Polo fan to good effect. As previously mentioned it is much more efficient to mount the fan on the back of the rad as they create quite a blockage in
airflow when mounted on the front.
Regarding the plastic cable tie doo dahs that seem to be supplied with some aftermarket fans - DON'T USE THEM. They invariably work loose and,
using the crud which collects in the core, grind their way through the core and leave you stranded down a dark lane on a cold, dark December night.
Trust me on this one 
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
|
|
|
MikeRJ
|
| posted on 29/6/06 at 10:25 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by RazMan
You should be able to reverse the flow of most fans by changing the polarity and the fan blades (due to their aerofoil shape) I did this to my
Polo fan to good effect. As previously mentioned it is much more efficient to mount the fan on the back of the rad as they create quite a blockage in
airflow when mounted on the front.
Surelt they create exactly the same blockage when mounted on the rear?
|
|
|
RazMan
|
| posted on 29/6/06 at 10:30 PM |
|
|
Ah but they deflect the airflow after travelling (at a straight, efficient angle) through the core. Any turbulence on the back of the rad is not so
bad and is dispersed in the engine bay.
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
|
|
|
MikeRJ
|
| posted on 29/6/06 at 11:05 PM |
|
|
Any restriction behind the core will prevent the air flowing through in a nice efficient straight line! I seriously doubt there is much difference
wheen the two mounting points.
|
|
|
John Bonnett
|
| posted on 30/6/06 at 07:44 AM |
|
|
Thanks chaps, I have no option but to fit the fan in front of the rad. I will take your advice and NOT use the cable ties. I'll weld up a nice
mounting bracket to sit the fan on. I'll also see if I can find a BX fan as recommended.
Cheers
John
|
|
|
David Jenkins
|
| posted on 30/6/06 at 08:24 AM |
|
|
Mine is a Pacet-style fan mounted in front of the rad - works for me.
The biggest way to ensure a good air flow is to block any gaps around the rad, so that the air has to go through it rather than round it. Or, to put
it another way, any difference between front and back fans is totally wiped out if the air can bypass the whole assembly!
David
|
|
|
02GF74
|
| posted on 30/6/06 at 02:17 PM |
|
|
there is some good advice here already.
some more tips/comments.
1. fit the largest diameter fan you can in the avaialble space
2. fit it as close to the rad. as possible, ideally with cowling
3. forget pacet/kenlowe etc: go to scrap yard and pick one up there; mondeo is 15 in - probably too big for you, a lot of jap/hyndai have smaller push
type fans; take the cowl off too - ideally fine one that is right size for fan; not the shape of the motor as they may be too long.(ask me how I know
that)
4. make a bracket - don't use cable ties (now let's wait for someone to say they have done this and have no probs. blah blah; I say
don't)
5. look at robin hood - they are doing I think it is honda fan, with cowl, about £30 or less; this is a good size and has mounting points in the
cowl.
6. fit tray under front of chassis to "box in" the air coming in via the grille
7. consider bonnet or side vents
|
|
|
bob
|
| posted on 30/6/06 at 06:46 PM |
|
|
Fitted mine to the front with no problems so far,as above make up some mounts to fix on and some vents in the bonnet or upper sides would work well to
remove heat.
 
Rescued attachment MK Indy build pics 065.jpg
|
|
|
John Bonnett
|
| posted on 2/7/06 at 07:17 PM |
|
|
Thank you for all your help and advice. I have found in my store a fan from a Peugeot (French car so fan in front of rad) and made up a bracket on
which to mount it. The fan works fine and all done for zero cost - well nearly!
John
|
|
|
