help, recommendations/dimensions on Windstar, Mark VIII, etc

1966_L78 · May 21, 2002

Does anybody have any dimensions for these electric fans...

I see the Spal site has specs for theirs, but these factory offerings, I can't find them...

Like to know width, height and thickness from the radiator, single of dual fan, any shroud modifications needed, installation tips, suggestions, recommendations. About how must cost$?

I am thinking of this for a 1966 SS Chevelle with 396, Short water pump... Aluminum cross-flow radiator...

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"Once you go RAT, you never go back..."
TC #1366
Tony
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Quik66.jpg
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/eng7.jpg

Daytona Jeff · May 21, 2002

Tony, I can only comment on the Windstar unit. Tonight I will measure it and try to snap some pics.
Basically it is a dual fan unit in a plastic shroud that goes from tank to tank on my 3 core rad. The height is about the same as the factory shroud, on top it is held in place by the radiator hold down and on the bottom I used angle brackets in the factory holes. I had to do some trimming on the shroud with a jigsaw to get the fit right.
This setup takes the place of your factory shroud and fan setup.
Each fan runs off a 30 amp relay (bosch). The main fan is turned on by a adjustable temp switch and the second fan comes on with the A/C.
You can wire them however it works best for your car. You will need an alternator that is cranking out 100 amps to keep up with the fans.
Do a search on the user name Chev-hell. John has pics, wiring diagrams, etc. on his Windstar setup. Used units run about $100.+/-, new they are close to $300. The wiring and relays are negligible.
Will they keep the car cool? That remains to be seen I just installed them Saturday.

I will be pouting if they don't, though.

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TC #364
Aces #4309
Jeff's 69

1966_L78 · May 21, 2002

Thanks Jeff...

I think the Windstars might be a tad to wide for my setup, but no verification... 66 Chevelle with aftermarket cross-flow radiator with side brackets... I think my radiators like 26 inches wide and 18-19 inches tall...

vonswanko · May 22, 2002

Tony I have the Mark VIII on my 66 Small block short water pump and Griffin 26x19 cross flow rad. I had brackets welded to the rad. for mounting the fan in the stock shroud location .Covers the whole rad.

I am trying to get pics. so I can post them.
Later Rob.

Daytona Jeff · May 22, 2002

The Windstar fan is 30-1/2" wide x 18" tall. So yes it might be a tad to wide.
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/tempfan.JPG

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TC #364
Aces #4309
Jeff's 69

[This message has been edited by Daytona Jeff (edited 05-22-2002).]

1966_L78 · May 22, 2002

Thanks again guys.

Rob, I would love to see pictures, and maybe some quick measurements (does the fan hang over the sides of the Radiator?)

I see from the Spal website that they have a dual 11-inch setup that looks like it will directly cover the radiator (based on their dimensions)...

------------------
"Once you go RAT, you never go back..."
TC #1366
Tony
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Quik66.jpg
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/eng7.jpg

[This message has been edited by 1966_L78 (edited 05-22-2002).]

cjlandry · May 22, 2002

I have pics on my website. This is a '68 with heavy duty radiator, so I can't tell you how it would relate to a '66.
http://www.landry-family.com/fan.html

As you can see, there is quite a bit of clearance between the water pump and the fan. This is a small block with a short pump.

I had to trim the shroud down about ½" to get it to fit under the upper radiator support.

I'll get dimensions later and post them here.

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My Web Page (updated 05-22-02)

"Chevellabration Bound!"

Chad Landry
TC Member #643
ACES Member #4556
'68 El Camino, 357, L31 Vortec heads, 700R4, 8.2 10-bolt, 3.55 gears, Auburn Pro Posi.

vonswanko · May 23, 2002

Tony, the fan makes it to the middle of the tanks on both sides and right to the top and bottom.

The fan(when new) has 4 ears on it,along with some hang over. A quick wack with THE TOOL(sawsall) and it came up aces.I should have pics tommarrow and someone can help me post them or I will e-mail them out.

Later, Rob.

cjlandry · May 23, 2002

Rob, send me an email and I'll get 'em posted for you if you like.

Sorry, still haven't measured it. Remind me tomorrow and I'll do it.

------------------
My Web Page (updated 05-22-02)

"Chevellabration Bound!"

Chad Landry
TC Member #643
ACES Member #4556
'68 El Camino, 357, L31 Vortec heads, 700R4, 8.2 10-bolt, 3.55 gears, Auburn Pro Posi.

1966_L78 · May 23, 2002

Thanks Rob, Jeff and Chad...

I think the MarkVIII is out though...

I saw some dimension listed on a couple of sites (putting the MarkVIII in a Mustang). It was mentioned that the total height was 6.25 inches... Even with my short water pump (Big Block), there is still only about 4+ inches... Since the MarkVIII is a single fan, that means it will be relatively centered and therefore interfere with the Water Pump...

The Windstars are about 30 inches wide (my tanks are only about 26).

I think I gonna have to go with the Spal dual 11-inch... About 3/4 inch wider then the actual "core", almost the perfect depth, and the height, about 4.5inches, is at the dual motors (one on each side of the pump snout...

I am gonna check out one of those Mark8s first to be sure I can't drop it more (modify the shroud).

I still wouldn't mind measurements, especially the distance off the radiator so I can check that clearance again...

Thanks.

------------------
"Once you go RAT, you never go back..."
TC #1366
Tony
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Quik66.jpg
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/eng7.jpg

cjlandry · May 23, 2002

OK, here are the dimensions:

Radiator to "nose" of fan motor= 5½" (with the shroud cut down).

Width= 21¾"

Height= 18¾"

Of course the the beast can be rotated 90 degrees to invert the width and height measurements if you like.

Hope this helps. You might also want to ask Steve Jack (I think his username is "HOTRODSRJ") about a fan recommendation. It seems to be a major part of his life's work. He really knows his business.

------------------
My Web Page (updated 05-22-02)

"Chevellabration Bound!"

Chad Landry
TC Member #643
ACES Member #4556
'68 El Camino, 357, L31 Vortec heads, 700R4, 8.2 10-bolt, 3.55 gears, Auburn Pro Posi.

Daytona Jeff · May 23, 2002

Tony, I don't think you can go wrong with the Spal fans. They are the best of the aftermarket fans from everything I have heard and read.

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TC #364
Aces #4309
Jeff's 69

1966_L78 · May 24, 2002

Thanks Chad... my core is about 22.5 X 18.5, so that would fit great except the motor height.

I've sent a few emails to Steve Jack (I hope he doesn't hate me for so many emails!). He is a pretty nice knowledgable guy. I thank him for sharing that knowledge and experience with me...

I don't think the Mark VIII will fit due to space between rad and WP... I've got about 4-4.5 inches...

Steve and I also spoke about the Spals.

I really liked the dual 11-inch setup with the integral shroud (covers the whole radiator...),and the dual motors will set on each side of the WP snout.

BUT, the lowest price I have found was $250 for the fans alone (then relays, etc)... I see those MarkVIII for like $110...

Oh well, I have to do alot of other stuff first (Stewart Pump, new CS alternator) before I even think about the Spals... Maybe next year...

[This message has been edited by 1966_L78 (edited 05-24-2002).]

Fried_Guy · May 24, 2002

Where's a good place to get these fans? If I go to the salvage yard, what donor cars should I look for? Also, how can I tell if these fans are good or not?

cjlandry · May 24, 2002

Fried, check my web page. There's a link to Houston Performance. That's where I bought mine.

I don't know what year Mark VIII they come out of, but I think buying new is your best bet with these. There's no telling what a used electric motor has been through.

------------------
My Web Page (updated 05-22-02)

"Chevellabration Bound!"

Chad Landry
TC Member #643
ACES Member #4556
'68 El Camino, 357, L31 Vortec heads, 700R4, 8.2 10-bolt, 3.55 gears, Auburn Pro Posi.

AC Control · May 25, 2002

a real cheap way out of this is to go to the recking yard and get a fan out of a 91 to 94 caprice w a 350 ( cop car or Goverment ) they have a heavy duty 14 blade puller now the way to use this is very simple

first control get a nomaly close swich ( 180F) instal on the block use the - Ground side for control and the + power side get a 30 amp breaker .

now for the install of the fan
messure the tank to tank and the bottom to top of your rad. if you don't know noting about sheet metal that ok just find a place that will bend this for u it will be cheap enuf.

get them to make it out of light gage aluminium. the basic it's like a box cover

so just for example 29" w by 19" h by 3" deap

pull the rad out install the box on the back of your rad check for fit, if all is ok cut the center to mount your fan.

next using a seam sealer to seal the countour of the box to the rad tank only

let the sealer dry hard that will hold that in place for ever ( ever try remouving a winshield )

now you have 95% vac on that rad it will cool any big block out there
make shure the hole for the fan is corect size for the blade.

last time we did this the fan was $35.00 from the reckers and the alumminium box was $59.00 from a Heating and air conditioning place down the street from us, and they did cut the hole and made it out of 16 gage alum

the swich is $12.00

this is a killer cooling system !

the secret is the box it extract the heat like a big vacum.

we did this on a 500 BB chevy he would have problem in slow trafic or at a stop light

it's all history now...

help, recommendations/dimensions on Windstar, Mark VIII, etc

1966_L78

Daytona Jeff

1966_L78

vonswanko

Daytona Jeff

1966_L78

cjlandry

vonswanko

cjlandry

1966_L78

cjlandry

Daytona Jeff

1966_L78

Fried_Guy

cjlandry

AC Control

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