I have a 16" Davies Craig thermo fan for my Torana, & i'm curious to know how people mount them, directly to the radiator core via the kits that can be bought, or brackets bolted to the radiator support panel. I had to trim the sides of my radiator where the shroud would normally bolt up as they wouldn't clear the battery tray or charcoal charlie tray, so i can't bolt anything there. I've been told to avoid bolting the thermo directly to the radiator core if i can, so interested to hear other opinions. Cheers
MOUNTING THERMO FANS.
Started by
_LH SLR 3300_
, Nov 16 2009 08:28 PM
19 replies to this topic
#2
Posted 17 November 2009 - 06:15 AM
Ideally some sort of shroud that covers the whole radiator and attaches to the sides of the radiator (normally there is still 1/2" of metal left after trimming). Having said that I have mine just bolted through the core (not the greatest but I use big washers to spread the load and avoid the coolant carrying fins) and they still do the job. I'm sure a shroud would work a lot better though and will get around to changing it one day.
#3
mr5000
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Posted 17 November 2009 - 07:12 AM
i got the radiator shop to mount my brackets they are mounted either side of the core
#4
ls2lxhatch
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Posted 17 November 2009 - 09:42 AM
Mounting directly to the core transmits vibration to the radiator tubes which could cause premature failure although it is unlikely. It is preferable to use a shroud or straps.
A shroud allows the fan to draw air over the entire radiator core instead of just the area the fan covers. On an LX Torana a shroud is more important on a down flow than a cross flow radiator. A 16" fan on a cross flow radiator covers most of the core so it can be fitted with straps. In my opinion this is the main benefit of a cross flow radiator in an LX.
You should be able to use the radiator mounting bolts to attach a shroud or straps.
A shroud allows the fan to draw air over the entire radiator core instead of just the area the fan covers. On an LX Torana a shroud is more important on a down flow than a cross flow radiator. A 16" fan on a cross flow radiator covers most of the core so it can be fitted with straps. In my opinion this is the main benefit of a cross flow radiator in an LX.
You should be able to use the radiator mounting bolts to attach a shroud or straps.
#5
_LH SLR 3300_
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Posted 17 November 2009 - 03:58 PM
Thanks for the input. I am more inclined to make some brackets to mount the fan, rather than bolt it to the core, but hadn't considered using a shroud. My radiator is a down or vertical flow so it looks like i'll be hunting around the wreckers for a suitable shroud. Cheers Matt
#6
ls2lxhatch
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Posted 17 November 2009 - 05:19 PM
I doubt you will find a suitable shroud at the wreckers. Shrouds are typically made from aluminium sheet like this.
I think you will find that the 16" fan overhangs the down flow core. I would start by mounting the fan on straps level with the top of the core. If you find that you have overheating problems then you could look at fitting a shroud or possibly AU fans.
AU Fans
I think you will find that the 16" fan overhangs the down flow core. I would start by mounting the fan on straps level with the top of the core. If you find that you have overheating problems then you could look at fitting a shroud or possibly AU fans.
AU Fans
#7
_brendan_h_
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Posted 18 November 2009 - 07:42 AM
what would you guys say to mounting a shroud at the front of the radiator? As some as you know 202 and lj are pushed for room at mounting a thermo at the back of the radiator. And the biggest you can fit is a 14inch at the front pushing air.
#8
Heath
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Posted 18 November 2009 - 08:26 AM
Nah shroud at the front will restrict flow from getting to the core in the first place. It might be okay if it was on a stationary engine but not in the application of a car's engine.
#10
_the gts_
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Posted 19 November 2009 - 12:05 AM
.
Edited by the gts, 19 November 2009 - 12:10 AM.
#11
fuzzypumper
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Posted 19 November 2009 - 12:57 PM
I assume that using an UA Thermo fan setup requires modifications for mounting pionts and radiator hose outlets but
does it mount easier on a Kingswood V8 type radiator or a Torana V8 radiator? Which ones more complicated?
does it mount easier on a Kingswood V8 type radiator or a Torana V8 radiator? Which ones more complicated?
#12
orangeLJ
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Posted 19 November 2009 - 01:26 PM
Im curious as to what other people have done in 202 LJs.
Im about to throw a thermo setup into the LJ, at this stage its just a 12" (from memory) thermo and it was mounted through the core (bought it from chris- wyldLC)
Id like to splurge on an alloy radiotor eventually, so I might look into shrouding like the one in LS2LXhatch's picture.
Im about to throw a thermo setup into the LJ, at this stage its just a 12" (from memory) thermo and it was mounted through the core (bought it from chris- wyldLC)
Id like to splurge on an alloy radiotor eventually, so I might look into shrouding like the one in LS2LXhatch's picture.
#13
_CraigA_
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Posted 19 November 2009 - 01:30 PM
Good question Chris. I'm just at this stage with my new motor.
I was using a two core radiator with a front mounted thermo fan.
A Desert Cooler unit was my preference but it would be interesting to see what others have done.
I was using a two core radiator with a front mounted thermo fan.
A Desert Cooler unit was my preference but it would be interesting to see what others have done.
#14
_CraigA_
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Posted 19 November 2009 - 02:50 PM
^^ Just talked to Norm at Aussie Desert Cooler.
Very helpful and he is now building a triple flow radiator for me with two front mounted 12" thermo fans.
Bolt in proposition and delivered for well under $700.00.
Very helpful and he is now building a triple flow radiator for me with two front mounted 12" thermo fans.
Bolt in proposition and delivered for well under $700.00.
#15
TerrA LX
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Posted 19 November 2009 - 06:21 PM
Would loooooove to see some back to back testing of the single and triple flow.
#16
_LH SLR 3300_
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Posted 19 November 2009 - 06:40 PM
Thanks again for all the input 
I ended up following the advice of some of you guys & mount the fan by way of brackets to the sides of the radiator. After trimming off the bits that would've fouled the battery tray etc, i was left with half an inch of metal each side. I made up four brackets that bolt to the fan, then bolt to the sides of the radiator.
Sorry about the pics, i was in a hurry to fit the radiator & didn't think to take any pics till after it was bolted in. I would like to fit a shroud eventualy. I've yet to finish the wiring, fit exhaust etc so i'll wait & see how it goes as is once it's up & running as i'm trying to get this car on the road before christmas so i can finish painting it. Cheers Matt
I ended up following the advice of some of you guys & mount the fan by way of brackets to the sides of the radiator. After trimming off the bits that would've fouled the battery tray etc, i was left with half an inch of metal each side. I made up four brackets that bolt to the fan, then bolt to the sides of the radiator.Sorry about the pics, i was in a hurry to fit the radiator & didn't think to take any pics till after it was bolted in. I would like to fit a shroud eventualy. I've yet to finish the wiring, fit exhaust etc so i'll wait & see how it goes as is once it's up & running as i'm trying to get this car on the road before christmas so i can finish painting it. Cheers Matt
#17
_Bomber Watson_
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Posted 19 November 2009 - 06:48 PM
Nothing wrong with fans in front of the radiator.
For ages i ran a 12" in front of the rad and a 9" behind it, as with a 202 in a LJ with a thick core radiator you can only fit a 9" in there down in the bottom drivers side corner.
Never got hot, ever.
My new set up has a single 14" Derale mounted to the body of the car in front and i have put the 9" behind my trans cooler, which is also in front of the rad, and ducted from the grill back to the support panel so everything is pushing through the radiator.
Picks are before i made the ducting up.
Not tested yet, but in my mind it will work well.
Cheers.
For ages i ran a 12" in front of the rad and a 9" behind it, as with a 202 in a LJ with a thick core radiator you can only fit a 9" in there down in the bottom drivers side corner.
Never got hot, ever.
My new set up has a single 14" Derale mounted to the body of the car in front and i have put the 9" behind my trans cooler, which is also in front of the rad, and ducted from the grill back to the support panel so everything is pushing through the radiator.
Picks are before i made the ducting up.
Not tested yet, but in my mind it will work well.
Cheers.
#18
wot179
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Posted 19 November 2009 - 07:04 PM
Good question Chris. I'm just at this stage with my new motor.
I was using a two core radiator with a front mounted thermo fan.
A Desert Cooler unit was my preference but it would be interesting to see what others have done.
Does this mean the old 202 is out,apart and laying on the floor awaiting collection?
#19
_CraigA_
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Posted 19 November 2009 - 08:42 PM
Sorry but its still in the car Craig. About three weeks and its yours.
#20
wot179
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Posted 19 November 2009 - 08:51 PM
No sweat mate.Cheers.
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