With a conventional crossflow radiator, you can use the engine
fan (which does *pull* the air through the radiator) with
an electric fan which pushes the air through (and is of course
mounted in front of the radiator).
I haven't done it, but I did consider it as a backup on the competition
bugeye in case the electric fan fails on a multi-day event. I take a spare
electric fan instead.
Without good shrouding, neither fan is very effective - when I acquired
my racecar (my first spridget) it always had overheating problems. These
problems were completely solved with the addition of an allow shroud that
I belted and riveted in about 20 minutes. It was ugly but very effective.
I was careful to avoid any air leakage b/n the fan and the radiator -
silastic
and rubber did the trick.
Mike
-----Original Message-----
From: Daniel1312@aol.com <Daniel1312@aol.com>
To: Spridgets@autox.team.net <Spridgets@autox.team.net>
Date: Monday, December 07, 1998 2:17 PM
Subject: More on fans/radiators
>Hi List,
>
>I may have given 'duff' advice in one of my previous postings about fans
and
>radiators. With a Spridget using a crossflow radiator it is possible to
use
>two fans if you really want - I just wouldn't personally. One question
that
>is hanging in the back of my mind is:
>
>Does the engine fan push air through the radiator or suck air through the
>radiator. I guess it must be the later but have no means of checking on my
>car so would be grateful for the confirmation.
>
>A second thought I had was that with my super duper competition radiator,
>modern mini pump, reduced speed pulley and massive Kenlowe fan I have no
>cooling problems.
>
>BUT
>
>While any amount of hard driving doesn't bother the water temp (unlike the
>oil temp which will rise, albeit to a controllable level, traffic is a
>different matter.
>
>In average traffic on a 80 - 90 degree English summer day (admitedly a
rarity
>some summers) the water temp will creep from a reasonable 80 degrees right
up
>to 105. To do this takes extreme stop start traffic of maybe anything from
>half an hour to an hour. I think the problem is due to underbonnet
>temperatures due to the freeflow exhaust radiant heat rather than
deficiencies
>in the cooling system. What I think happens is that the fan cannot push
>enough air out of the engine bay to cool in adverse conditions - hence it
>copes with being stationery until such time as the engine bay, under bonnet
>temperatures really soar.
>
>The above is one reason why considering wing vents may be worth serious
>thought rather than just fitting a better radiator and fan. The latter
coping
>with performance driving generated cooling problems better than traffic
>problems.
>
>Trust these thoughts haven't confused the issue and apologies for a long
>posting - maybe I can get to sleep tonight now (kept awake with cooling
>thoughts some of last!).
>
>
>Daniel1312
>
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