Fan and cooling questions

[shadango]

I went out yesterday and picked up a few parts.....one of which wasa 20" flex fan (doesnt look like aftermarket but also doesnt have the chrysler symbol on it, so not sure what brand)......and a spacer.....cheap, figuring if it worked on my car great, if not, no big $$ lost.

Well, after getting it home, it looks like 20" is just too large too work.....plus I have since read that flex fans are pretty dangerous and not efficient.

So I am going with my original gut instinct and looking into a viscous-type clutch and solid fan....

I looked around here and found the links to Jegs and Summitforthe mopar 5 blade kit....current pricing is at around $117 plus shipping....

Found these at Autozone and was wondering if you guys feel they would be just as good or if the moapr kit would be the best route....

(My car is a 72 fish with a 76 318 in it...no radiator yet, but it is setup right now for 22")

]http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/parts/partsProduct.jsp?itemIdentifier=689588_56864_7316_&skuDescription=Torqflo+/+Fan+Clutch&brandName=Torqflo&displayName=Fan+Clutch&categoryNValue=&sortType=null&store=1813&isSearchByPartNumber=&fromWhere=null&fromString=&itemId=prod10689&navValue=16300118&filterByKeyWord=&productId=689588&appQuestionText=&categoryDisplayName=Cooling+%26+Heating&parentId=cat10018&questions=[]

(Severe duty viscous fan clutch with lifetime warrant---  $62)

and

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/parts/partsShelf.jsp?displayName=Fan+Blade&itemId=prod10953&isSearchByPartNumber=&sortType=null&totalPages=[I@f132fc&currentPage=1&vehicleNValue=&navValue=16300278&parentId=cat10018&fromString=&fromWhere=null&filterByKeyWord=&categoryNValue=&categoryDisplayName=Cooling+%26+Heating&_requestid=431266

(6 blade replacemnet fan for clutch type fan setups -- $27)

So $89 total.....Seems like a good deal and the NEW fan means I dont have to worry about a used one being balanced etc....

I plan on going with a shroud once I can locate one.....Autozone also has rads for the car, but only the 22" 2 row.....for like $160.......

This setup would proabbly be fine for the 318, I am sure....but I originally figured "more cooling is better" and had been looking for original heavy duty cooling stuff.....

Thoughts?

[Bullitt-]

3-things....
1-to use a 26" radiator you will need to change the right side support.+ $100
 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/70-71-72-73-74-Challenger-26-inch-RH-Radiator-Support_W0QQitemZ400039702875QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item400039702875&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A1|39%3A1|240%3A1318

2- 26"  radiator will work better & will cost about the same vs similar 22"
  a bunch of options on eBay...be sure it has shroud mounts...I'd get 3-row
http://motors.desc.shop.ebay.com/items/_W0QQ_dmdZ1QQ_sopZ1?_nkw=challenger++radiator+26+core+&_sacat=6028&LH_TitleDesc=1&_trksid=p4506.m270.l1313&_odkw=challenger++radiator&_osacat=6028&_rdc=1

3- 26" shrouds are a lot less expensive than 22"( i don't understand why but they are) -$100
http://www.monicattichrysler.com/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=129


Except for the trouble of changing the radiator support you will be better off going 26"

[LAA66]

 Any suggestions where to find a heavy duty thermo clutch for an 18-1/2 fan ?

[Bullitt-]

Any suggestions where to find a heavy duty thermo clutch for an 18-1/2 fan ?

Looked at this a few days ago... for about $60-$80 they are avail from NAPA-RockAuto

Best deal I've seen is a Hayden at Summit Racing
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=HDA-2747&N=700+4294924500+4294908110+4294925074+4294840100+4294839058+4294887720+4294887696+115&autoview=sku

[shadango]

Bullitt....

It looks like that right side panel has to be welded in, right? Looked at my rad support and the side panels are tack welded to the lower and upper cross pieces....

Not looking to go there right now I dont think......

So I think I am back to the 22".......I think...but.....still confused....

None of the auto parts sites I am visiting (Rock, Auotzone, Advance) have a 26"  radiator as an option....let alone a 3 core anything.....My manual shows that 26" was available in the A/C cars with the 318 and 340....but no 22" for  the 318.........it shows a 19" for an automatic car.....the 22" is listed for the 340 with 727....

My radiator opening measures 22 1/2".....Measuring the actual opening, now. ....24 3/4" between bolts ( Am I measuring correctly? ).....I am assuming that I am setup for a 22" even though the manual doesnt .

I figured if I could find the 22" in a 3 row and add a shroud I would be ok...

Fan wise I am even more confused....The manual lists torque and thermo clutches ONLY on the 340 car....just a 2.2" space for the 318....But again I assume I can use the thermo clutches that autozone lists for my car......right?

And fan-size wise, they list 3 different fans in the manul for the 318 --

-- 18" - 4 blade - 2" width  (automatic)
-- 18.25" - 5 blade -- 2.31" width  (a/c)
-- 18" - 7 blade - 2.25" width  (high capacity)

For the 340 it lists the same fan --  an 18 1/2" - 7 blade - 2.5 inch depth fan for standard, manual and AC, with no listing for "high capacity"

Autozone, Rock, etc dont make any distinctions on the fan sizes.....

So what gives?

[LAA66]

 My thought is you need to commit to either up-grading to 26" or finding the best match for the smaller radiator support opening.  Maybe a custom 3 core set up can be had if you know a good shop in your area. Then size the fan depth ,shroud, ect...

  I bought a Modine from the local radiator shop a few years ago for $280 that fit as new and so far seems to have held up well. 

[Bullitt-]

26" core support is a weld in piece
26" small block radiators did & do exist, I see the same thing you do at Autozone, but consider the source..
22" three cores exist but are harder to find....I couldn't Google one today
I believe 18.5 is the size fan blade, sometimes especially on RockAutos site just changing year or model selected will get better info, don't buy anything based on just one sources info....
 I'd say the same for advice on message boards also...wait for a consensus.

[shadango]

Thanks Bullit....

Yeah, if its weld in piece, I will pass on that for now....brand new paint on the car and thats more than I want to get into right now......trying to concentrate on getting the car on the road by mid summer.....so, if the 3 core 22" rads are hard to find, I may be spinning my wheels looking for one.....

I think I will most likely end up sourcing from Autozone....their rads have lifetime warranties as does the clutch.......with the 318 I have , that will likely be fine for now......crossing fingers.....I may still keep an eye open for a used 22" and look into seeing about what it will run to get it recored.....

Just have to decide whether to get the Mopar 5 blade setup or the fan and clutch from autozone.....

[Bullitt-]

Maybe take it one step at a time...you have an electric fan that may be effective if the radiator was up to the task... I's spend a bit more for a 3-row install it & see what the outcome is.
 Obviously a 2-row can do the job, & electric fans can cool well, just a matter of what combination will it take..... My '73 340 came with a 22" two row without a shroud & worked well for years, then one day it started running hot at higher speeds which told me the circulation was insufficient...... If your overheating while sitting, airflow is your problem, so maybe just the fan & possibly a shroud would solve all your problems.

[Chryco Psycho]

I have been using a generic clutch hub & the 18" Flex-A-Lite fan , relatively cheap & works great