cooling increase on a low budget

Grumpy

The Grumpy Grease Monkey mechanical engineer.
Staff member
Hello,
I have a 68 Camaro w/ 350 made into a 383. It only has a single row stock size radiator which I would like to retain if possible. I also have a
stock size shroud which should allow for an 18" fan. I will be removing a small electric fan per the suggestion of my mechanic and
installing the shroud with a new fan. I'm focused on a six blade metal Derale fan of similar see Flex-fan thru Summit. Please provide your opinion on this set up as I have limited resources and desire to just use car a driver and not drag race.
Thanks in advance.
Jerry

Dorman 620-118 Radiator Fan Assembly
620-118.jpg

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...se1-_-dorman&gclid=CPGMgLCu09ACFUpMDQodAckHvg
the idea to swap too a manually driven fan if it fits the shroud inner diameter fairly closely, it should move noticeably more air, thats a good thing, but without knowing the surface area of the radiator, its fin count tube size and number of tubes Id just guess at best as too its cooling capacity, you might want to scout out the local salvage yards for a larger capacity radiator that fits your application, many times you can get used radiators in good shape at bargain priced from salvage yards.
Id also suggest you install a long higher capacity oil filter if you have the clearance to do so, as both the extra oil capacity and the fact that the larger oil filter with its greater surface area constantly exposed to outside air flow, (especially if you have an oil filter finned cooler) can in many cases reduce oil temps 5 degrees or more

51794.jpg

filter11.jpg

I don,t know where they sell these, finned aluminum filter covers now ,a few years back these were $20 each and significantly longer that this picture shows,
in fact they were the length of the long oil filter ,and believe it or not the combo of the longer oil filter and finned cover dropped my oil temps an additional 5 deg F , EASY TO PROVE by simply removing and replacing the slip on finned cover several times after keeping detailed records while cruising the interstate at a steady 70 mph (not a big difference but for $20 well worth it!
yes you can get a bit more creative and build or buy something with significantly more surface area for increased cooling capacity if you might feel inclined
oil_filter_chiller.jpg


if coolant in the engine gets hotter faster at idle than when your cruising the cause is frequently related to either a lack of air flow (not the correct fan or shroud)
or not enough functional radiator surface area,as the car speed increases it obviously has the effect of increased air flow that results in more efficient heat transfer rates
yes the idea of a larger radiator with increased surface area helps.
most of us are forced due to clearance limitations to select a radiator with specific width and height limitations you can frequently select a radiator thats a bit thicker,
or has a higher fin count per square inch of surface or more efficient inner coolant tube designs.

reading links helps

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/thoughts-on-cooling.149/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/how-the-cooling-system-works-basics.853/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ing-system-flow-rates-and-heat-transfer.9880/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/2-row-vs-3-row.5160/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...roving-engine-cooling-system-capability.6888/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/do-i-need-the-fan-shroud.13847/


http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...an-you-can-buy-for-50-flex-a-lite-1818.12710/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ing-system-flow-rates-and-heat-transfer.9880/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/2-row-vs-3-row.5160/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/aluminum-radiator-sources.755/
 
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