Look ma, no fan!

[bbjordan]

I had to take a 200 km trip to test drive an E4OD transmission I am looking to buy for a 1994 Cube van I just bought. No towing involved so I though to myself, self why don't you take the fan & shroud off and see if there is any fuel mileage improvements? I really want to do the electric fan mod anyway, so I took off the fan & shroud.

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As you can see I did the serpentine system upgrade.

Going to Brooks I restrained myself to about 95 km/hr. I filled the front tank to the brim with 100% biodiesel. The temp was supposed to be +10C so I went with the B100. By the time I got to Brooks the fuel gauge was sitting at 3/4 tank. Not bad! The front tank is rated at 76 liters, but we'll call it 80 for the overfill. That works out to 6.35 km/l or 17.75 mpg Imp. The truck ran like a top and the temp gauge hardly moved from its normal position on the R even going up some pretty good hills.

On the way back, I didn't restrain myself and was running at about 110+ km/hr. I was a little pressed for time, because my wife wanted me back on time for a family function. Don't they realize this is scientific research? By the time I got back to Calgary, I had only 1/8 tank left! That works out to about 38 liters for the 200 kms back or 5.26 km/liter ( 14.59 mpg imp.) Temp gauge hardly moved again.

Now Brooks is 987 ft. lower in elevation than Calgary and I was battling a bit of a crosswind that probably pushed me a bit towards Brooks, so its not really a very good/scientific test, but all together I was very please with the way my test mule performed, and that I still have a happy wife.

The engine in this antique truck (1986 in sig) is an old 1983 6.9 with unknown mileage. It was drinking oil at a rate of 2 liters per tank of fuel! I replaced the CDR before the trip to Brooks and it stopped drinking oil!

 

[Kevin 007]

SO are there any mileage improvements? I also run without a fan in my 84 during the winter. Doesn't heat up until I idle for long periods of timel and even then it only heats to 190 degrees max! I don't notice any mileage improvements but I like to believe that it is better. At the very least, its easier on the water pump

 

[icanfixall]

I see you don't have the ac pump on this rig. Is the ac condenser also off the front of the radiator... Nice mileage too. Are you 4x4 and 3.55 or 4.10 gears.

 

[88 Ford]

Ya was there any before and after mileage gain? Any noticeable power gain either?

 

[Kevin 007]

No power gain on mine... not noticeable anyways

 

[runkeeg26]

Where did you get your new CDR? How much?

 

[boxathey]

I dont mean to hi jack this thread but runkeeg26 i noticed your avitar picture has a nice looking cold air intake on your idi where did you purchase that at ive been looking to do the same thing but have been having a hard time finding a nice looking kit

 

[bbjordan]

Answers to Questions

Q&A:

Q: SO are there any mileage improvements?
A: Its hard to tell. Too many variables, speed, wind, altitude. That being said, I think this is the best it has ever run since I've had it.

Q: Is the ac condenser also off the front of the radiator?
A: Yes. No A/C rad, just a tranny cooler (not hooked up)

Q: Are you 4x4 and 3.55 or 4.10 gears?
A: 4x4 and 4.10 gears. (The 1986 in my sig.) Weighed it the other day: 6666 lbs with me & the wife in it. I was gonna say something to her about the weight, but I bit my tongue.

Q: Was there any before and after mileage gain? Any noticeable power gain either?
A: Its difficult for me to figure out fuel mileage. I use biodiesel and I don't have a meter on my pump. (yet) My mileage calcs are based on my fuel estimates. They're no too bad, but not like down to the milliliter at the petro diesel store.
There must be a power gain, it takes a bit of power to turn the fan. Is it noticeable? It sure ran great tho.

Q: Where did you get your new CDR? How much?
A: Maclin Ford Calgary. They had to get it from Edmonton. I got the last 3. My price $52.50. each. Son-in-law discount.

 

[runkeeg26]

Don't want to hijack the thread either, but i made it myself. 4" U intake piping from ebay. And a cone filter from Autozone or such. 80 bucks and an hour. I also have a 2.5 to 4" 90 bend off the turbo, its just a silicone adapter i found off ebay too.

 

[h2odrx]

cool beans....