Will Original 3 Blade Fan be Adequate ?

[Shoebox]

I understand there are many variables here, so I'm simply interested in opinions,... all are welcome. So, '51 Tudor going from 6 cyl. to warmed up 276 cube 8ba. New 4 row Desert Cooler brass 4 row radiator, Skip's water pumps, Offy heads, Bubba Chev dist, the block is internally quite clean. I am wondering if the original 3 blade fan assembly will adequate?? Thanks Guys!

[Tinker]

Well there is two theories in the model a community. Model A's run a 2 blade fan. Does it move more air then a 6 blade fan? At what point is more fan blades deflecting air and not pushing air?

The only issue most guys have with model a 2 blades is that over many years you have to check them for cracks. They do come apart sometimes.

Think you'll be good with a 3 blade. Good timing and good water flow will be better then an extra blade ever time.




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[Shoebox]

Thanks for the response Tinker. I am totally with you on the good timing and water flow.

[mfirth]

My 8ba in a 52 Ford ran at 180 with 180 stats. Isky Max1 cam same heads as yours with stock radiator & fan. You should be fine. Tinker is right about flow & timing......

[Shoebox]

Originally Posted by mfirth

My 8ba in a 52 Ford ran at 180 with 180 stats. Isky Max1 cam same heads as yours with stock radiator & fan. You should be fine. Tinker is right about flow & timing......

Thanks for sharing, I'm feeling a little more positive on this.

[19Fordy]

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Stay with your 3 blade fan. You will be fine.

[Gene1949]

Kind of a windy response but here goes

In Wisconsin, your 3 blade is probably just fine especially starting out with all new stuff. One of the things that made a difference in my setup was moving the vac advance from ported/timed to manifold. At idle/low rpm a lot less fuel/air input to do the same amount of work. Removing the air from the system (a puke tank and the right radiator cap) doesn’t hurt either.
Sure back in the day 3 blades worked, but a lot of exhaust port cracked blocks came from older poorly maintained cooling systems.

The other thing was having a updated radiator core. When I had mine built I went to the outfit that used to build our stock car radiators. One of them is in my big block Camaro.
He suggested a 3 core instead of the “traditional” 4 core. Reason being the newer 3 core units have much bigger tubes and a higher fin count (per inch) than the 4 core units.
As explained to me it’s all about management of air and water flow; slower water flow and increased air movement over the fins.

Back in the day hood louvers weren’t about looking cool or racy. My old 3 blade (without a shroud) at idle and low rpm moved more air around under the hood than thru the radiator.
Down here in the desert southwest that didn’t cut it. My solution was to “repurpose” a late ‘90s Ford Taurus SVO 2 speed electric. Practically a bolt-in.

[Gene1949]

One other thing rule of thumb/axiom, bored flatheads are prone to heating.

[highbeams]

Well, this '33 3w 3-blade has been w/the car for 87 yrs. Apparently no complaints from its three (?) past owners. It's stayin' on!

[Shoebox]

Originally Posted by highbeams

Well, this '33 3w 3-blade has been w/the car for 87 yrs. Apparently no complaints from its three (?) past owners. It's stayin' on!

Highbeams,


I hear ya, I was just inquiring because my engine is a bit modified.