Electric Cooling Fans - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

twoodson · 02-04-2006, 10:09 PM

Hey guys I have a '87 chevy SWB 1/2 ton with a 350 TBI. I have replaced my old 2 core radiator with a 4 core radiator which I believe is used on the 454 engines. I am now in the market for an electric dual fan set up. Please provide me some feedback, links, opinions, & pics. Thanks guys.

Southedisto · 02-04-2006, 10:53 PM

Try nissan altimas, maximas or lincolns. This is info I have gotten, nothing first hand.

Chevrolet4x4s · 02-04-2006, 11:06 PM

Here are some internal links
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=50085
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=187177
Hope these help,
Shane

bigarmzz · 02-05-2006, 04:48 AM

here ya go
http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2...cfan/index.php

C&C Chevy · 02-05-2006, 12:10 PM

You better have a heck of a alternator to run those taurus/ark 8 fans!

Chevrolet4x4s · 02-05-2006, 12:33 PM

Just out of curiosity incase I would do an electric fan swap would a 6.5 diesel alternator be strong enough(on a non computerized sbc)for the swap.

piecesparts · 02-05-2006, 01:32 PM

I put an alternator from "Tuff Stuff" on my truck to run the fans, stereo, lights, and whatever else. The alternator I chose will carry 80 amps at idle on the motor. Most alternator will drop to less than 35 amps at idle and the first thing you will notice is your fans coming on at a stoplight during the night and the lights will dim. If you do not want to go into a Tuff Stuff setup, I would look for a 140 amp alternator from a later model setup, or have one built at a shop. I have had that done also.

mister honey · 02-05-2006, 06:11 PM

I bought mine here:

http://search.stores.ebay.com/UNIVER...20fansQQsofpZ0

Mike

79BIG10 · 02-05-2006, 07:26 PM

I bought mine from O'Rilley's and wired them in with two relays and fuses. Easy and cheap. Lifetime warranty on them. I had a temperature kit on it to kick on and off but would run more often than it should even after changing the dial. Finally swapped to a switch.

piecesparts · 02-05-2006, 08:07 PM

In the past I researched the lectric fan thing pretty hard. I had to, because most of the manufacturers sell their fan according to horsepower and I was building a motor that was going to be higher than what they sold. I looked at all of the larger manufacturers and finally I talked to the guys at "Be Cool" and they convinced me that the "SPAL" fans were the best to deal with. It all stems from how the manufacuteres measure the airflow across the radiator when the fan runs. There is a static flow (air across the radiator and the fan only) and there is a dynamic flow (air across the radiator and fan with the backpressure of what an engine bay would have). SPAL measures their fans in the dynamic format, where most of the others use the static measurement, I even asked about this to the distrutors and they agreed, thus the limits on horsepower. I chose the SPAL 11" dual fans for my 84 GMC with the 383 stroker in it and I am not sorry. I am pushing some more Hp than compared to a factory truck, though.

I am here to tell you that when making the purchase, think out the process and don't just stick anything in there that might do the job. If it doesn't work the first time then you have to buy another set and that is where the cost starts to add up.

gchemist · 02-06-2006, 08:51 PM

How about a Viper option???
http://www.viperconnection.com/parts/parts.html

Chevrolet4x4s · 02-06-2006, 09:53 PM

Anybody running daul alternators....just a thought of course thats probally gonna steal lots more power than a higher amperage alternator.

twoodson · 02-07-2006, 12:28 AM

Thanks guys for all the feedback and advice. I went ahead and ordered the Flex-A-Lite 295 dual 13 1/2 in fans with all the wiring. Will let you know how it comes out. Should be installed on Wednesday. Will also post some pics.

02-04-2006, 10:09 PM	#1
twoodson Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lancaster, TX Posts: 291	Electric Cooling Fans Hey guys I have a '87 chevy SWB 1/2 ton with a 350 TBI. I have replaced my old 2 core radiator with a 4 core radiator which I believe is used on the 454 engines. I am now in the market for an electric dual fan set up. Please provide me some feedback, links, opinions, & pics. Thanks guys.

02-04-2006, 10:53 PM	#2
Southedisto River life...... Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Soldotna AK Posts: 1,078	Re: Electric Cooling Fans Try nissan altimas, maximas or lincolns. This is info I have gotten, nothing first hand. __________________ I like wheelin in Dixie!

02-04-2006, 11:06 PM	#3
Chevrolet4x4s Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: WV Posts: 227	Re: Electric Cooling Fans Here are some internal links http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=50085 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=187177 Hope these help, Shane __________________ 1993 K1500 350 5 speed 1985 K10 Silverado Vortec 406 5 speed (in body shop) "I been drivin' this '85 pickup truck Them buddies of mine call it a bucket of rust She's a little beat up but she still runs like the wind Yeah, kinda like me I been banged and bruisedBeen around the block a time or two But I'm runnin' like new goin' places I never been No, I ain't broke I'm just broken in" 1963 Dodge Townwagon(its amazng what 30 years and zero miles will do to a vehicle ) Member#20327

02-05-2006, 04:48 AM	#4
bigarmzz Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Elkins, West Virginia Posts: 2,542	Re: Electric Cooling Fans here ya go http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2...cfan/index.php __________________ 1987 350 TBI lowered 5/7

02-05-2006, 12:10 PM	#5
C&C Chevy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Midwest City, OK Posts: 1,001	Re: Electric Cooling Fans You better have a heck of a alternator to run those taurus/ark 8 fans! __________________ Robert Current: 1986 SWB Silverado 4.3 / TH400 Past: 1985 SWB Silverado 305 / TH350 - sold 1995 1987 1/2 ton Silverado - FI 350 / 700R4 sold 2007

02-05-2006, 12:33 PM	#6
Chevrolet4x4s Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: WV Posts: 227	Re: Electric Cooling Fans Just out of curiosity incase I would do an electric fan swap would a 6.5 diesel alternator be strong enough(on a non computerized sbc)for the swap. __________________ 1993 K1500 350 5 speed 1985 K10 Silverado Vortec 406 5 speed (in body shop) "I been drivin' this '85 pickup truck Them buddies of mine call it a bucket of rust She's a little beat up but she still runs like the wind Yeah, kinda like me I been banged and bruisedBeen around the block a time or two But I'm runnin' like new goin' places I never been No, I ain't broke I'm just broken in" 1963 Dodge Townwagon(its amazng what 30 years and zero miles will do to a vehicle ) Member#20327

02-05-2006, 01:32 PM	#7
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: Electric Cooling Fans I put an alternator from "Tuff Stuff" on my truck to run the fans, stereo, lights, and whatever else. The alternator I chose will carry 80 amps at idle on the motor. Most alternator will drop to less than 35 amps at idle and the first thing you will notice is your fans coming on at a stoplight during the night and the lights will dim. If you do not want to go into a Tuff Stuff setup, I would look for a 140 amp alternator from a later model setup, or have one built at a shop. I have had that done also.

02-05-2006, 06:11 PM	#8
mister honey Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: eastern blowville heights, ohio Posts: 57	Re: Electric Cooling Fans I bought mine here: http://search.stores.ebay.com/UNIVER...20fansQQsofpZ0 Mike

02-05-2006, 07:26 PM	#9
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,774	Re: Electric Cooling Fans I bought mine from O'Rilley's and wired them in with two relays and fuses. Easy and cheap. Lifetime warranty on them. I had a temperature kit on it to kick on and off but would run more often than it should even after changing the dial. Finally swapped to a switch. __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

02-05-2006, 08:07 PM	#10
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: Electric Cooling Fans In the past I researched the lectric fan thing pretty hard. I had to, because most of the manufacturers sell their fan according to horsepower and I was building a motor that was going to be higher than what they sold. I looked at all of the larger manufacturers and finally I talked to the guys at "Be Cool" and they convinced me that the "SPAL" fans were the best to deal with. It all stems from how the manufacuteres measure the airflow across the radiator when the fan runs. There is a static flow (air across the radiator and the fan only) and there is a dynamic flow (air across the radiator and fan with the backpressure of what an engine bay would have). SPAL measures their fans in the dynamic format, where most of the others use the static measurement, I even asked about this to the distrutors and they agreed, thus the limits on horsepower. I chose the SPAL 11" dual fans for my 84 GMC with the 383 stroker in it and I am not sorry. I am pushing some more Hp than compared to a factory truck, though. I am here to tell you that when making the purchase, think out the process and don't just stick anything in there that might do the job. If it doesn't work the first time then you have to buy another set and that is where the cost starts to add up. Last edited by piecesparts; 02-05-2006 at 08:09 PM.

02-06-2006, 08:51 PM	#11
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Re: Electric Cooling Fans How about a Viper option??? http://www.viperconnection.com/parts/parts.html __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos

02-06-2006, 09:53 PM	#12
Chevrolet4x4s Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: WV Posts: 227	Re: Electric Cooling Fans Anybody running daul alternators....just a thought of course thats probally gonna steal lots more power than a higher amperage alternator. __________________ 1993 K1500 350 5 speed 1985 K10 Silverado Vortec 406 5 speed (in body shop) "I been drivin' this '85 pickup truck Them buddies of mine call it a bucket of rust She's a little beat up but she still runs like the wind Yeah, kinda like me I been banged and bruisedBeen around the block a time or two But I'm runnin' like new goin' places I never been No, I ain't broke I'm just broken in" 1963 Dodge Townwagon(its amazng what 30 years and zero miles will do to a vehicle ) Member#20327

02-07-2006, 12:28 AM	#13
twoodson Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lancaster, TX Posts: 291	Re: Electric Cooling Fans Thanks guys for all the feedback and advice. I went ahead and ordered the Flex-A-Lite 295 dual 13 1/2 in fans with all the wiring. Will let you know how it comes out. Should be installed on Wednesday. Will also post some pics.

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