Thermofan recommendations - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

xcgxl · 04-25-2004, 06:01

I have a healthy 351C in my XC GXL. It runs a standard cast iron water pump and an Adrad triple core radiator. I run an 82C thermostat and have air con. I have no overheating problems, but the temperature rises after extended idling. I am thinking of fitting a thermofan(s) to free up a bit more horsepower. Two options I have are BA twin thermos or a single 16". Can anyone recommend the best (not just adequate) comibination to cool my motor. I have tried an 18" Permacool before and it was bloody useless. Car was boiling over at 100kmh! I am reluctant to spend good money on shit anymore. Some of the flexalite and becool twin jobs look great but they are a bit pricey.

STROKEXD · 04-25-2004, 06:17

It has been proven to me through trial and error that the very best cooling for a late model clevo is the factory fan, a hydraulic coupling in good order (replace it if it is out of specs) and a radiator shroud. Always turns out better cooling efficiency than any combination of electric fans.

If your temp is rising at idle I would guess your hydraulic coupling is worn.

04-25-2004, 06:26

i installed twin EL thermos with the shroud on my LTD, they work like a dream, far better than even a brand new hydraulic coupling with a standard fan (which is what i had tried before going down the electric avenue...)

pics and info on the conversion are here.
http://www.tmaauto.com/tma-auto/showthread.php?t=844

hope it helps
cheers

smciner1 · 04-25-2004, 06:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by STROKEXD

It has been proven to me through trial and error that the very best cooling for a late model clevo is the factory fan, a hydraulic coupling in good order (replace it if it is out of specs) and a radiator shroud. Always turns out better cooling efficiency than any combination of electric fans.

If your temp is rising at idle I would guess your hydraulic coupling is worn.

I have run a standard Thermo Fan with a 4 Core Radiator and a shroud (A MUST!) without any problems.

04-25-2004, 06:32

i can sit in traffic on a 30+ day with the air con on and not rise above half, only just hits it nelary, which is bloody good, seeing as though everyone i know with a older ford with aircon has to turn off air con when they are driving in traffic and wind the window down.

xcgxl · 04-25-2004, 06:52

OK. I have seen the EF -EL fans, but am told the BAs fit much better. I am waiting on pics to confirm, but having looked under the bonnet of a BA, the fans look really pissy and cheap. Nowhere near the quality or size (width) of a Daives Craig 16" blade.

I have always said myself that the standard fan is a bloody good device. But the idea of having that huge chunk of metal attached to my motor doing 6 grand or more no longer apeals to me.

I dont have the viscous coupling model, that came out on XDs or maybe late XCs, actually I think a few ZHs had them, they ran into the XD model life with BW diffs etc. Is it worth instaling the viscous coupling? I will need to get a different fan blade and but a new viscous hub.

Hey strokedxd, which model fans have you had trial and errors with and what were the problems? A guy in mu club has a 5 core radiator in a 302 XB. Car has no accessories at all (other than auto trans) and he complains about overheating. Yes he has a thermofan. The Permacool fan I had had a sensor that was held the the outside of the top radiator hose with cable ties! I think they have fixed this now. The crappy fan had blades that were made from pieces of sheetmetal with one edge folded.

smciner1 · 04-25-2004, 06:55

The Clutch fan forst came out in the XC. They are not a problem on a high revving engine.

xcgxl · 04-25-2004, 07:06

My XC aint got one and its 6/78 model originally a 302 GXL. No mention of a clutch fan in either of the XC workshop manuals I have, "part number quick reference guide" lists "Clutch Assy - fan". I havent seen one on any of the XCs in my club, as most of them run thermos :-P

xcgxl · 04-25-2004, 07:06

Oh, and I believe from the arrangement of the original heater hoses that the air con was dealer fitted.

brenx · 04-25-2004, 17:10

BA fans are too high and too wide. I measured as my brother inlaw owns a BA XR8.

Brenden