Push some coolant

1963 longroof

1963 longroof

Member
Howdee...Have a 383 chevy in a 64 impala with a custom built crossflow radiator. Need to overdrive the water pump a bit especially at idle. Added Vintage air and temps climb in traffic or with a/c on. Will a Ford 289 5.3/4 water pump pulley fit on my 383 chevy water pump...or can you advise a part number for a chevy. Currently have a 7 1/4 crank..6 .5 water pump..need 2 grooves. any help appreciated. Currently have a fixed fan, metal shroud, small pusher fan on drivers side for a/c, automatic. Want to try this first, then maybe a Flowcooler water pump. All hoses new, fluid 50/50, motor with 1200 miles on it, fresh oil filter, timing , belts, chain etc. all new, great oil pressure...coolant temp 170 on road..but stop n go..or turn on A/C...to 180..190 200 210...then smells hot, hard to restart. Any ideas appreciated. PS this is for a friends Impala..NOT mine...
 
It sounds like you need more CFM Airflow at idle speeds.
4000 cfm electric fans is just adequate to cool 400-450 HP.
7,000 Cfm electric fans are just made for Large Ford Pickups.
Clutch fans and Certain flex fans move more air. About 10,000 cfm.
 
The factory SBC water pump & crank pulleys are close matched for the street.
Under drive them for WOT 7500-9000 Rpm.

Pontiac 455 you underdrive the Water pump too.
It wants slower coolant flow to have more time to absoarb Latent Heat.
 
87vette81big said:
Clutch fans and Certain flex fans move more air. About 10,000 cfm.
Click to expand...
YEP. That's why I'm keeping the belt-driven thermostatic clutch fan on my 84 TransAm.
But I will be adding an electric fan for those times when the engine needs the extra airflow.
 
I haven't had time this week to install my Flex-A-Lite #1818 7-blade fan on my 63 GP.
Working in Joliet all week.
Daily driver beaters.
I think I hand bent up about 100 Feet of Brake lines in 5 days
That Nickle Copper Brake line is good stuff.
Easy to hand bend.
Strong.
Work Saturday .
Try and get that fan on Sunday. Test it.
Won the '61 389. Have to pick it up soon.
 
I put in a Final Bid of $389.99 & won the Ebay Auction.
Some other Dude snuck in and bid too.
Waited....15 seconds left...Bid.. I won.

High Nickle block.
389 425 Trophy.
Same block as 389 SD but with different hand stampings.
 
87vette81big said:
The factory SBC water pump & crank pulleys are close matched for the street.
Under drive them for WOT 7500-9000 Rpm.

Pontiac 455 you underdrive the Water pump too.
It wants slower coolant flow to have more time to absoarb Latent Heat.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the feedback...the new crossflow &700.00 custom built..is not returnable...so wanted to overdrive the water pump at idle by 15-18 % witha 5.5 inch diameter for mustang 2 groove pully for a 289. Looks identical, but cannot find another 5.5.5.75 inch 2 groove pullys. I went with electric water pump. Evans waterless, 1 18 inch shrouded aluminum radiator...can't get it over 185.... Anyway Does a 7 bladed flexfan or pontiac fan fit a 64 metal fan shroud ?
 
The Pontiac V8 Flex Fans & Clutch Fans are 19 inche's in Diameter.
They used a a large fan shround to accomidate.
Still gathering data but it appears nearly all Chevy V8 applications used a 17" diameter engne driven fan.
The Flex A Lite 1717 & 1818 7-blade flex fans are made for a High Vacuum draw through applications .
Pull max airflow thtough 4 & 5 core radiators.

All Pontiac factory flex fans I have seen and I have the factory original off my 70 TA are 5-blades.
7-blades supposed exist but no photos online .

Chevy had a very good 7-blade flex fan.
It was a Dealership installed update.
All were running hot overheating .
About 1970.
Used on the Corvette.
Camaro & Z28.
Full size Chevy Trucks including K5 Blazer.
All Big Bllock applications including with Air Conditioning .
 
Not all Clutch fans Are made equal looking at a few I have here.
Different pitched blades.
Some pictures online show a paddle wheel style or multi angle blades.

Best bet if it must be quiet the Fan & pull excellent airflow then a Clutch fan is best choice.

If some fan noise is OK then A 5-7 Blade flex fan for Max Airflow .

To ask an electric fan to pull or push 10,000 cfm airflow is a Joke.
Will not happen.
 
87vette81big said:
Not all Clutch fans Are made equal looking at a few I have here.
Different pitched blades.
Some pictures online show a paddle wheel style or multi angle blades.

Best bet if it must be quiet the Fan & pull excellent airflow then a Clutch fan is best choice.

If some fan noise is OK then A 5-7 Blade flex fan for Max Airflow .

To ask an electric fan to pull or push 10,000 cfm airflow is a Joke.
Will not happen.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the assist and the info...guess he gets a flex fan for a chevy.. 17 inch..Michael J
 
There are other schools of thought about the mechanical fan vs electric fan. The electric
fan puts out maximum flow at all times including idle when air flow is most needed from
the fan. It turns faster, likely in the 1800 rpm to 2400 rpm range. Sounds like you need
more air flow at very slow speed.

Don't take my word for it, read the links below.

Which is Better - an Electric or Belt-driven Fan?
https://www.flex-a-lite.com/blog/which-is-better-an-electric-or-belt-driven-fan/

Mechanical vs. Electric Fans: Which is Best for Your Vehicle?
http://www.onallcylinders.com/2012/07/24/mechanical-vs-electric-fans-which-best-your-vehicle/
 
Indycars said:
There are other schools of thought about the mechanical fan vs electric fan. The electric
fan puts out maximum flow at all times including idle when air flow is most needed from
the fan. It turns faster, likely in the 1800 rpm to 2400 rpm range. Sounds like you need
more air flow at very slow speed.

Don't take my word for it, read the links below.

Which is Better - an Electric or Belt-driven Fan?
https://www.flex-a-lite.com/blog/which-is-better-an-electric-or-belt-driven-fan/

Mechanical vs. Electric Fans: Which is Best for Your Vehicle?
http://www.onallcylinders.com/2012/07/24/mechanical-vs-electric-fans-which-best-your-vehicle/
Click to expand...
He is running a crossflow with a standard fan, a/c condensor, metal 64 shroud, 50/50 coolant and 185 thermostat, new cap, hoses etc. I posted for two reasons..1. and getting a Vintage Air kit for my 63 wagon, got concerned about airflow THRU the condenser/radiator I have. He has a 12 inch fan for the A/C when it turns on..but still has the heat issue at idle or traffic. Consensus is remove stock fan, go with factory shroud and 17 inch Flex a fan spaced properly in the shroud. thanks for the information and your time, BOTH very much appreciated.
 
It's always going to be up to the owner to make the final decision..... just wanted you to see both sides of the coin. :)
 
If any of you guys ever worked on a Semi Diesel truck in the Summer heat with air temps 95-100 F and the Automatic Air Clutch Fan kicks in at idle speeds of 600-900 Rpm, Its increadable the blast of Air .
If your standing on top of the Drivers or passengers tires ( how you perform many engine repairs) it will blow you right off and onto the ground unless your hanging on with both hands.

No Electric Fan can even come close.
 
Electric fans are Ok for Low HP usage Rick.
Its a Wonder they work in C4 -C7 Corvettes.

The biggest drawback is we can not afford to run 100-110 Leaded gasoline all the time.
Neither you or me have Electronic spark timing knock sensor control.
Or EFI.
 
Its been a Hot Summer.
Found the limits running a 180 F T-stat.
Be Cool Radiator that costed $650 New in 2004.
One of the Best Flex-A-Lite Electric single fans....Actually performs better than those $400-600 fans.

How much money do you want to spend ? $10,000 ?

GM Engineering had it figured out day 1.
 
I have more Actuall cranking cylinder pressure at 185 psi.
I can cruise on 87 octane gas.
WOT TO 120 MPH ON 91 OCTANE GAS.
Nothing exotic about my 1963 Grand Prix & Olds 425 V8.
Iron heads too.
 
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