I just put an electric fan on my 83 LG4 TA off an 84 H.O. TA. I know not to trust the factory gauge that much, but with the mechanical fan (with locked up fan clutch), the temp would never get past the line between 100 and 220. Now with the electric fan, it gets to just under the 220 mark. Assuming the factory gauge is reading like it should, what is normal operating temperature of a carb'd F-body? I know these cars have a 195 t-stat...so is the 210 or so gauge reading normal? That was driving around tonight while it was about 80-85 outside. The fan is wired to be on all the time off a toggle switch until I get one of those thermostatically controlled fan switches. But jesus, this thing has a lot more power with the electric fan on it. I guess that locked up fan clutch was really robbing some power. But anyway, can someone advise me on my temperature condition? Thanks all.

 

Do you have it wired correctly first of all. Remember it's a DC motor and polarity determines which direction it goes. The electric fans in TG's are set up as "puller" fans meaning the fan draws air through the rad instead of blowing into it. If it is reversed you will have the condition you describe since you have it wired to be on all the time. With an electric fan and a fan switch assuming you do that the operating temp will not be as stable as it was with a clutched unit.

 

My 83 HO car runs just at the first tick mark on the highway either with the A/C on or off, I guess that's somewhere around 180-190? Sitting still idling with the A/C off it gets up to somewhat over the third mark, the fan comes on, runs for a while (maybe 2 minutes or so), the temp goes down to about halfway from the first mark to the middle mark, the fan shuts off and stays off for about 5 minutes, the temp climbs again,, the fan comes on... it will sit there and do that AFAIK forever or at least until it runs out of gas, no matter what the outside temp is. With the A/C on, sitting still idling, it runs anywhere from the first mark if it's less than about 70°, to somewhere above the third mark if it's over 100° outside; again, it will slowly climb until it reaches equilibrium at some point that depends on the ambient, and then just sit there for as long as the engine is running (as far as I know.... I don't think I've ever left it sitting idling with the air on for more than a half hour or so at a time except in a traffic jam or something).

I have a stock radiator (aluminum & plastic) for a later car, maybe 87 or so; 180° stat; stock cooling fan; stock fan switch; and a Stewart Stage 2 water pump. Just FYI, the stock fan switch doesn't even turn the fan on (i.e. recognize the need for cooling) until the engine reaches about 230°, so that temp is normal and does not constitute overheating. If your coolant bolis over at that temp, you need a radiator cap.

 

I wired it correctly. It is working as a puller rather than a pusher. So you guys think my temperature is ok for driving around in cool 80-85 degree weather?

 

i drove my car at 220 for a year, even in the summer. I'd replace the t-stat with a 160, also replace the radiator cap, hoses. get a presure kit and and hook it onto your radiator and pump it a few times, if the presure gauge goes down, then theres a hole(s) somewhere. Your car will run hot if it can't hold presure.

-fly

 

Well, i know the system is holding pressure. I guess the electric fan just dosent pull enough air as the clutch fan. It really dosent have a shroud in the same sense as the clutch fan has. Its almost 100 outside right now....ill drive it around for a little bit and see what it gets up to.

 

don't let it get over 230, taking chances on cracking your block/heads, ect.

-fly

 

Well, I just ran the hell out of it for about 15 minutes with it being pretty hot outside and it didnt get over say 200-210. I guess thats normal. With the locked up fan clutch it may have been overcooling it. It seems to run better at this temperature anyway. It sounds a lot better too without that stupid fan roaring all the time. I guess Ill just have to run it and really watch the gauge until I know for sure itll be ok.

 

What other mods do you have to your car? I have about the same car as you do. Do you still run the CC q-jet and the computer controlled distributor? I have thought about putting headers on mine but I don't know which ones would be the easiest install and the best ground clearance. I was guessing the shorties would work better.

 

I didn't see anything mentioned about the diameter of the new fan. I assume you choose one of equal or greater diameter? Hope so. What about making yourself a dual fan setup to cover more surface area?

 

I only have the mods listed in my sig. The fan I put on it is off an 84 305 H.O. TA. Either way, I got a new fan clutch and now the car has the same power it had with the electric fan, and runs cool too. Maybe someday down the road ill put on a dual fan setup like off a TPI car, but for now till the new motor is in, thisll do. But thanks to everybody for offering suggestions.