[70stkrchvlle]

Hey team. I installed a performance fit Griffin Radiator (80-00010) and I purchased a dual electric fan to go along with it (SUM-G4851) for my 70 SBC. The radiator fits perfectly. I plan on using my stock radiator support cover since it fits, but leaves no room for a bolt to go through since the new radiator is much thicker. So my issue is fastening the fans to the radiator. The supplied brackets that came with the fans aren't going to work. Is anyone running a similar setup? any suggestions on brackets? I don't have the resources really to fab my own brackets. Pictures are definitely appreciated. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[GTO44]

When in doubt use those radiator push thru zip ties. Just ditch the brackets. The push thru zip ties are plenty strong enough to hold the fans and shroud in place.

Also why does the shroud not cover the whole radiator??

I use this fan shroud/electric fan setup for 70-72 chevelles. It covers the entire core and pulls 4,600 cfm. Pulls small children thru the front of the car when they kick on.

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[Hotwire]

I'm with GTO44, you need a larger fan shroud/fans. You spent all this money on a huge radiator only to be pulling air through 60% of it?? That's like buying a 540 big block and using factory exhaust manifolds and 2" pipe. WHY?

The pull through zip ties work but may lead to leaks over time from the tie rubbing on the radiator's fins.

My vote is to send the fans back, do your homework and purchase fans that fit the rad.

 

[cage2592]

I'm not a fan of that style ELEC Fan setup. as GTO44 stated, the shroud doesn't fully cover the radiator. The one he posted is more in line with a better running unit. Yes if you cannot fab up brackets on your own, your options are limited. The zip tabs as mentioned through the radiator or go to Homedepot / Lowes and get metal strips with the holes in them and run them vertically on the sides for the fan to mount to and long enough to mount on the radiator top cover plate.

After all of that, HOTWIRE has the plan. Or, do you still have the original fan shroud? My vote is largest SPAL, CFM and AMP fan (not fan and shroud combo) you can get. Then install the original fan shroud. That's what I'm running (ELEC fan in the original shroud) and has worked great. I'm also still running an original style BB copper radiator with a 160* thermostat and I sit at 185* ECT.

Mike

 

[hydro462]

I would use the stock clutch fan.

 

[GTO44]

I would use the stock clutch fan. They can pull 7-8000 cfm when fully engaged at 1500 rpm, no alternator drag and they have a nice steady flow of air through the engine compartment.. There is no electric fan that can match or even come close to the performance of a correctly set up clutch fan.. I usually set the clutch to fully engage at the highest temp I can get it too with a 160 degree Stant Super-Stat... This will give the best performance...

on the flip side at idle where cooling is the most necessary electric fans outperform mechanical fans. If mechanical fans were the absolute best all new cars would use them...

Not to mention a good 20hp loss with a mechanical fan...

 

[japete92]

on the flip side at idle where cooling is the most necessary electric fans outperform mechanical fans. If mechanical fans were the absolute best all new cars would use them...

Not to mention a good 20hp loss with a mechanical fan...

Both the mechanical and electrical systems can be made to perform equally.

As for hp loss? The recommendation was the clutched fan.

The electric set up became popular with the auto makers when they began mounting engines transversely (front wheel drive). The radiator still needed to be in the front on the car. Once the 'switch' was made there was no reason to have two system because both can be made to perform equally.

Pete

 

[GTO44]

Both the mechanical and electrical systems can be made to perform equally.

As for hp loss? The recommendation was the clutched fan.

The electric set up became popular with the auto makers when they began mounting engines transversely (front wheel drive). The radiator still needed to be in the front on the car. Once the 'switch' was made there was no reason to have two system because both can be made to perform equally.

Pete

Clutch fans still draw a good amount of HP. Watch the episode of Engine Masters on motor trend with David Friberger. They tested different styles of mechanical fans and with and without clutch and every one of them showed a pretty significant hp loss...

 

[japete92]

Clutch fans still draw a good amount of HP. Watch the episode of Engine Masters on motor trend with David Friberger. They tested different styles of mechanical fans and with and without clutch and every one of them showed a pretty significant hp loss...

Have not seen that. But if their 'test' was on a dyno, that's a poor replication of the reality of driving.

The clutched fan ONLY draws torque when the 'temps' (some versions operate on rpm) require it to be rotated by the crank/water pump. It takes next to zero torque away from propulsion when it is in the de-clutched mode.

Just info.

Pete

 

[70stkrchvlle]

Thank you for the responses. Sorry, the attached picture was to illustrate how the included brackets would not work with the holes in the radiator support and the fan is much lower than it will actually be mounted. The fan covers much more area than 60%. I called Griffin directly and told them my setup and they pointed me in the direction of the right radiator and fans for me. So this is what I purchased and will be running. I was looking for options other than zip ties through the radiator and was hoping someone had a solution. Looks like I will just be asking friends to help fab up some straps or brackets. Thanks again.

 

[Hotwire]

Thank you for the responses. Sorry, the attached picture was to illustrate how the included brackets would not work with the holes in the radiator support and the fan is much lower than it will actually be mounted. The fan covers much more area than 60%. I called Griffin directly and told them my setup and they pointed me in the direction of the right radiator and fans for me. So this is what I purchased and will be running. I was looking for options other than zip ties through the radiator and was hoping someone had a solution. Looks like I will just be asking friends to help fab up some straps or brackets. Thanks again.

I see now it's hard to hold the fans with one hand and take a pic with another. 😅 Just saw the pic and thought, dayum, he's going to be very disappointed in that setup!

2 things:

You can drill new holes in the core support tabs that line up with the radiator straps you have now, OR

If you have a vise, hacksaw, hammer, and drill you can fab new straps for the fans. I use 1"x1/8" aluminum bar from the local hardware store, you can purchase different lengths from the metal bins they have. Aluminum - Flat Bars - Metal Stock - The Home Depot

You can also pick up some satin black spray paint and paint the aluminum so it blends w/ the radiator support while you're there.

 

[70stkrchvlle]

I see now it's hard to hold the fans with one hand and take a pic with another. 😅 Just saw the pic and thought, dayum, he's going to be very disappointed in that setup!

2 things:

You can drill new holes in the core support tabs that line up with the radiator straps you have now, OR

If you have a vise, hacksaw, hammer, and drill you can fab new straps for the fans. I use 1"x1/8" aluminum bar from the local hardware store, you can purchase different lengths from the metal bins they have. Aluminum - Flat Bars - Metal Stock - The Home Depot

You can also pick up some satin black spray paint and paint the aluminum so it blends w/ the radiator support while you're there.

Yes, that was exactly my issue. Sorry, the picture was a bit misleading. I've been playing around with it and already cut out some cardboard templates so I can bend up some flat bar straps and figure out exactly what I need. Thanks again!