Electric fans

[wmoguy]

I think I found my next obsession for this pickup. Keep her running nice and cool.
I just did a radiator flush and that definitely made a difference. The radiator seems to check out fine so I would prefer to not swap out for say a Rodney red.
A friend swears by fans mounted in front of the radiator vs electric fans behind the radiator.
My question is why not do both? Would tha actually impede air flow across the radiator? The front mount fans would really grab air in slow driving or traffic situations. The rear mounts expell air once air is pushed across the radiator. I was also wondering what it would be like to fab up some sort of downchute behind the radiator that pushed the air down towards the ground and not against the motor ittself? As for how th fans would be wired I was thinking of having them always on (keyed ignition) with a dash mounted switch which I could override and turn them off. Seems to me that in other than the coldest of temps having them always running benefits the motor. Heat kills metal!
I'd love to hear from the 95% of the crew here that know more than me on these rides.

 

[OLDBULL8]

It's not only the coolant cooling the engine it's also the air blowing over the engine. Under hood temps can reach 350+ degrees, you want as much air over the engine as possible, the exhaust manifolds reach 1200 degrees under certain conditions, consider that. The air flowing past the radiator is only warmed up considering the CFM of the engine fan. Diesel engines are most efficient running at about 190-200 degrees coolant temp., it's the transmission you want to run cool at about 150 to 180 degrees.

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

I have seen many a hard-hauling truck that has had inch spacers sandwiched between the hood and hinges, such that the rear of the hood sits an inch high.

It looks somewhat out of whack, but the guys that run them claim their under-hood temperatures went way down.


A big hole in the hood with rear-ward opening scoop or scoops will accomplish the same job better.

My only concern of such treatments is the constant barage of droplets of anti-freeze, fuel, and oil that are gonna coat the windshield and smear all over when it rains.

I intend to try the scoops and see what happens.


Before you make any changes, head to Walmart or one of the chain-gang parts-stores and avail yourself of one of those remote-mount outside thermometers that has a battery; about six bucks.


Put the sensor under the hood, out of the path of air-flow.

Make note of the BEFORE under-hood temperatures, taking ambient temperature into consideration; then, make your changes one at a time and check the improvements as you go along.



I already have one of those thermometers with the sensor mounted outside on a mirror bracket.

I intend to get three more and measure under-the-hood, inside an A/C vent, and just underneath the headliner, along with my present outside temperature monitor.

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

As for your question about running pusher-fans with puller-fans, I see no reason why it would not work fine.

For years, people have been installing pushers along with the pullling mechanical fan; I can't see where things would differ if the mechanical fan is replaced with an electric puller.

Contrary to popular wisdom, I believe well-chosen electric fans will outperform mechanical clutch-fans in all driving situations.