Have attached a couple of pics of mine.
Cheers Pete.
16 replies to this topic
#1
v8xu1pete
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Posted 06 September 2012 - 11:48 PM
What radiator / fan combination do others use on LC/LJ V8. I have a Desert Cooler radiator with twin 12" Davies Craig thermos & it's ok when you are cruising above 70-80kph, but it gets hot in traffic or when going slow. I think I need something with a full shroud, thought of using the AU Falcon twin fans, but they don't fit down between the chassis rails. Also have only about 50mm between the radiatior & the water pump pulley. Has anyone got a good set up that keeps cool in all traffic conditions. Any suggestions?
Have attached a couple of pics of mine.
Cheers Pete.
Have attached a couple of pics of mine.
Cheers Pete.
#2
xu2308
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Posted 06 September 2012 - 11:59 PM
Pete
Get a 3 core LJ Torana Radiator, get the ends changed around from a 6 Cyl to Holden 308, run your standard engine fan and a thermo fan and no worries, well i have had no probs with that set up.
And the Radiator Bolts in to original holes as its a LJ Radiator any way.
AL
Get a 3 core LJ Torana Radiator, get the ends changed around from a 6 Cyl to Holden 308, run your standard engine fan and a thermo fan and no worries, well i have had no probs with that set up.
And the Radiator Bolts in to original holes as its a LJ Radiator any way.
AL
#3
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Posted 07 September 2012 - 08:29 AM
i had a desert cooler nothing but problems now have pwr with 2 12'' spal fans works great
#4
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Posted 07 September 2012 - 06:16 PM
Yes you sure could benefit from a shroud. Various factory setups have been talked about including mondeo, saab and others. The EF/EL ford ones do a great job on the LX but will be too wide for you. The saab ones do a great job on the hatch and are the same size as a standard LX radiator including shroud. I would use these again if I was doing another radiator of the same size.
#5
_shan620_
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Posted 07 September 2012 - 11:00 PM
I have a twin 12" setup on mine fitted to front of radiator cause I had no room for fan at rear of radiator. I got 2 12" cheap fans off ebay that put out 1950cfm each and have 3 yrs warranty. I haven't had my car running yet, but was told that mounted in front of radiator is better then behind.
#6
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Posted 09 September 2012 - 11:41 PM
I always thought that it was better to mount the fans at rear of the radiator. I think that the fans pull the air through the fins more effectively than if the air is pushed through. When the fan is on the front pushing air into the core, I think the theory goes that there is a fair bit turblence that is not conjucive to maximum airflow. Just about every manufacturer mounts their OEM fans on the rear so logic would suggest that it is the better option. In reality, there is probably minimal difference between the two options.
#7
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Posted 10 September 2012 - 08:10 PM
Yeh i dunno. I wrote to Street Machine mag and asked them, and they said in front was 10% more efficient. It published in KB's workshop in january issue. If it doesnt work very good in mine i'll let you know.
#8
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Posted 11 September 2012 - 10:34 PM
KB is well respected so he might be in the know on this. I would be interested in the theory of why it is 10% better though. Did the article say why it is better?
#9
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Posted 12 September 2012 - 01:10 AM
I don't think it said why it was better. I'll try take a pic of the article and put it on here tomorrow.
#10
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Posted 12 September 2012 - 04:27 AM
Shroud would be good so you get the air coming through most of the fins, not just those in front of the fans. The mondeo ones would be an easy fit or if you butcher the chassis rails to fit the ford still fans give them a go as they move more air
The radiator you have looks huge, if you still have problems possibly consider going to a thinner option where you can fit the 7 blade clutch fan in. if still too hot add the fan cowl and perhaps an electric fan on the front of the rad.
Fans behind or in front. Some manufacturers put them on the outside, but everything is designed for where it goes - shape of blades/gearing etc, au fans cant be front mounted. Unless the fan covers the whole area a front mounted one cant be as good as a rear one with a shroud simply because a shroud on the front will make things worse for ram air.
One aspect to consider is that the motors/bearings of front mounted units will run about 60C cooler.
The radiator you have looks huge, if you still have problems possibly consider going to a thinner option where you can fit the 7 blade clutch fan in. if still too hot add the fan cowl and perhaps an electric fan on the front of the rad.
Fans behind or in front. Some manufacturers put them on the outside, but everything is designed for where it goes - shape of blades/gearing etc, au fans cant be front mounted. Unless the fan covers the whole area a front mounted one cant be as good as a rear one with a shroud simply because a shroud on the front will make things worse for ram air.
One aspect to consider is that the motors/bearings of front mounted units will run about 60C cooler.
#11
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Posted 12 September 2012 - 05:49 AM
Given that at cruise your temps are okay, another possibility is that coolant flow at lower rpm isnt high enough.
To assess that the temp in the bottom radiator hose needs to be monitored. If it feels cooler to the touch than the top hose when its running in the too hot mode, then could be your problem.
To assess that the temp in the bottom radiator hose needs to be monitored. If it feels cooler to the touch than the top hose when its running in the too hot mode, then could be your problem.
#12
v8xu1pete
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Posted 12 September 2012 - 08:52 PM
Thanks for all the valuable feedback guys. Plenty of ideas to work with there. I keep thinking that the radiator is no good, but it's fine when you're cruising, even in 40 degree heat in the middle of summer. The cooling system is spotlessly clean with new coolant, so unless it is poor coolant flow, I'm sure it's the fans. There is a lot of radiator core with no air flow when the car is stationary. There is some debate as to whether the fans should be on the front or rear of the radiator. I took the following quote from the Davies Craig website:
"Remembering that any Thermatic Fan will cease to be effective once the vehicle speed has reached 50-60 KPH after which the ram air takes over. We also recommend Thermatic fans be fitted to the downstream (engine side) of the radiator"
Hence, when ram air takes over my radiator works fine, so will have to some homework on the fans.
Cheers Pete.
"Remembering that any Thermatic Fan will cease to be effective once the vehicle speed has reached 50-60 KPH after which the ram air takes over. We also recommend Thermatic fans be fitted to the downstream (engine side) of the radiator"
Hence, when ram air takes over my radiator works fine, so will have to some homework on the fans.
Cheers Pete.
#13
v8xu1pete
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Posted 12 September 2012 - 08:55 PM
i had a desert cooler nothing but problems now have pwr with 2 12'' spal fans works great
Any chance of getting a pic of your fan set up
#14
v8xu1pete
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Posted 12 September 2012 - 09:13 PM
Pete
Get a 3 core LJ Torana Radiator, get the ends changed around from a 6 Cyl to Holden 308, run your standard engine fan and a thermo fan and no worries, well i have had no probs with that set up.
And the Radiator Bolts in to original holes as its a LJ Radiator any way.
AL
Hey Al,
What size thermo fan do you use, is it in front or behind the radiator. Do you use the thermo much, or does it cool ok with just the standard engine fan. I presume you are talking about the std 6 cyl 4 blade fan. The car had this set up when I got it, so I don't have any of the std parts. Had thought about going back to standard, I reckon it looks better.
Cheers Pete.
Cheers Pete.
#15
_Bomber Watson_
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Posted 12 September 2012 - 09:19 PM
Davis craig fans are poo.
What amp rating are the motors? General rule of thumb seems to be they can only flow about 100cfm per amp, most of the 2000cfm rated etc fans only have like a 9 amp motor so there really 900cfm or so...........
Cheers.
What amp rating are the motors? General rule of thumb seems to be they can only flow about 100cfm per amp, most of the 2000cfm rated etc fans only have like a 9 amp motor so there really 900cfm or so...........
Cheers.
#16
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Posted 13 September 2012 - 12:33 AM
Those fans don't look like they're up to the task.Bet ya a plastic fan & small shroud will work heaps better with that radiator.
I had vs v8 series 3(?) & au fans in my lc..was very tight & took many hours to get it to fit,looked neat...only issue radiatior not repairable they're that thin.
I had vs v8 series 3(?) & au fans in my lc..was very tight & took many hours to get it to fit,looked neat...only issue radiatior not repairable they're that thin.
#17
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Posted 13 September 2012 - 08:09 PM
There wont be a problem with that radiator. Air is lazy and as soon as you force enough through that radiator you will be fine. I seal all the edges on mine between shroud and rad. Makes a noticeable improvement.
1st dibs on the rad if you sell it!
1st dibs on the rad if you sell it!
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