Since its summer, I have decided to spend my next O/T on a new radiator and flex fan. Anybody out there switch from the STD 2 row to a 3row and have a comment on fans.
COOLING??
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A
Anonymous
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Howdy Jammer,
I know a lot of guys swaer by the 3 and 4 row rads, but if you are running a stock motor, a flex should do it, however, the 3 row is a good idea even for a stock motor if you live in an area that gets very hot in the summer. IMO Unless you have serious perf mods, the 4 row is overkill.
Bill
I know a lot of guys swaer by the 3 and 4 row rads, but if you are running a stock motor, a flex should do it, however, the 3 row is a good idea even for a stock motor if you live in an area that gets very hot in the summer. IMO Unless you have serious perf mods, the 4 row is overkill.
Bill
Bill:
i have a question or two, can the cooling system really have an overkill? what i mean is, if you go to a radiator that is size X, and the optimal cooling comes from a radiator of size Y (with X>Y) will anything over Y hurt anything? power, longevity, anything?
i could understand that something too big might have flow problems, but i don't really know if that would happen...
do you understand what i'm asking? i'm not sure of how clear i made it... i'm just wondering if too much will hurt, or if it will just not be used.....
i been wondering 'bout this for a while, never had an opp. to ask though...
evan
i have a question or two, can the cooling system really have an overkill? what i mean is, if you go to a radiator that is size X, and the optimal cooling comes from a radiator of size Y (with X>Y) will anything over Y hurt anything? power, longevity, anything?
i could understand that something too big might have flow problems, but i don't really know if that would happen...
do you understand what i'm asking? i'm not sure of how clear i made it... i'm just wondering if too much will hurt, or if it will just not be used.....
i been wondering 'bout this for a while, never had an opp. to ask though...
evan
A
Anonymous
Guest
Hi Evan,
I understand what you're getting at. The only thing it will hur is your wallet. When I talk about overkill, I am refering to gain vs. cost. A 4 row rad is much more expensive because these cars were not engineered for the additional thickness of a 4 row, so putting in a stock fan with it (it can be done) becomes much more difficult because of the room. As a result, most opt for a 4 row electric fan combo. This drives up the cost, and complexity, and for a stock motor, you really don't gain anything. In the areospce biz we call that the 500 $ hammer. If you have an engine that is heavily built, then it would be required IMO.
Bill
I understand what you're getting at. The only thing it will hur is your wallet. When I talk about overkill, I am refering to gain vs. cost. A 4 row rad is much more expensive because these cars were not engineered for the additional thickness of a 4 row, so putting in a stock fan with it (it can be done) becomes much more difficult because of the room. As a result, most opt for a 4 row electric fan combo. This drives up the cost, and complexity, and for a stock motor, you really don't gain anything. In the areospce biz we call that the 500 $ hammer. If you have an engine that is heavily built, then it would be required IMO.
Bill
A
Anonymous
Guest
3 row= nice
4 row= dont really need it
fan= flex-a-lite 5 blade...cheap, lite, and great cooling...also get the fan shroud to direct the cooled air...
4 row= dont really need it
fan= flex-a-lite 5 blade...cheap, lite, and great cooling...also get the fan shroud to direct the cooled air...
I appreciate the comments...I have decided on a 3 row from Discount Radiators...$124 with free shipping and lifetime warranty. I found the 17" fan at the ZONE but no one carries the adapter/spacer. I will probably have to order it. ..I did try the Radiator.com that Mustang Steve reccos..but their lowest 3 row is $189+ shipping and 2 yr warranty..thats with the discount...the guy said if you can get it cheaper..go for it... Well, I did find it cheaper..at about 6 different places on the net and two in the Mustang Monthly.
A
Anonymous
Guest
Remember,
If you use the 17" fan, make sure that the blades will clear the tranny lines if you have an automatic. There are many stories of guys cutting the lines with the fan blades. Do yourself a favor, and check the clearance BEFORE you start it up.
Spacers can be found ad Clifford Performance, Mustangs Unlimited, Mustang Country, or I think even Summit. Also check with AZcoupe.
Bill
If you use the 17" fan, make sure that the blades will clear the tranny lines if you have an automatic. There are many stories of guys cutting the lines with the fan blades. Do yourself a favor, and check the clearance BEFORE you start it up.
Spacers can be found ad Clifford Performance, Mustangs Unlimited, Mustang Country, or I think even Summit. Also check with AZcoupe.
Bill
One last post before I disappear....... 
If it were me and I needed a new radiator, I would probably seriously consider buying one of Speedway Motors Tru Cool 22" aluminium rads for $149. You'll have to fab up the cradle to hold it, but it will outperform any three or four row bolt on job. Very light, very attractive (you can polish it), and very cool looking (no pun intended).
I have a similar AFCO radiator cooling the crossflow and installing it was fairly easy. A sheetmetal u-channel with rubber on the lower unibody and two straps to secure it to the radiator mount. Pics are in the crossflow pages.
It never overheats, even in 99 degree weather, stuck in traffic. You need the one with Ford outlets.
If it were me and I needed a new radiator, I would probably seriously consider buying one of Speedway Motors Tru Cool 22" aluminium rads for $149. You'll have to fab up the cradle to hold it, but it will outperform any three or four row bolt on job. Very light, very attractive (you can polish it), and very cool looking (no pun intended).
I have a similar AFCO radiator cooling the crossflow and installing it was fairly easy. A sheetmetal u-channel with rubber on the lower unibody and two straps to secure it to the radiator mount. Pics are in the crossflow pages.
It never overheats, even in 99 degree weather, stuck in traffic. You need the one with Ford outlets.
I got eveything installed and ended up using a 1.5" spacer...there was plenty of clearance..(NO AOD) and the results were pretty good. My cooling is much better and not even getting to the halfway mark of the gage. The fan is pretty cool...it does flex while you rev and the 17 moves a lot of air. Good thing I dont leak oil!!!!
A
Anonymous
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is the flex fan louder?
how much was total for fan and spacer?
how much was total for fan and spacer?
No there is no flex noise that I could discern.... I did buy the 17 inch fan which was 16 7/8 dia actual. I also bought the 1.5" spacer. The fan was $26.99 and the spacer was $9.49 at an Autozone in Dyersburg TN...I was traveling through.. You could use the 16 inch fan if you wanted. I bought the IMPERIAL..(HAYDEN) flex fan. Works great and looks good too.
A
Anonymous
Guest
being in Miami..I need all the cooling I can get.
I was checking..it seems to be an easy four bolt on/off. seems like it might be worth the $30ish and well worth the looks...
I was checking..it seems to be an easy four bolt on/off. seems like it might be worth the $30ish and well worth the looks...
There are only 4 bolts..but it is a tight work space for big hands. Be careful the blades are very sharp..and use ANTISIEZE before reassembling.
A
Anonymous
Guest
i swaped from a 2 row radiator to a 3 row radiator. because of the extra thickness of the core; i can't add the aggressively pitched fan i wanted to. with the fan spaced back far enough to clear the thicker core, the fan i want to use hits on the a/c compressor.
it does run slightlycooler on the highway, but still heats up in traffic with the low pitch 4 blade factory ford fan. as i spend most of my driving time in traffic, this is a major concern for me.
anyone have a good to excellent 2 core radiator (with the cooler for automatic transmission) they want to sell?????
it does run slightlycooler on the highway, but still heats up in traffic with the low pitch 4 blade factory ford fan. as i spend most of my driving time in traffic, this is a major concern for me.
anyone have a good to excellent 2 core radiator (with the cooler for automatic transmission) they want to sell?????
I was not aware that in changing from a 2 row to a 3row that the thickness of the radiator would change...is this correct?
A
Anonymous
Guest
Yes,
That is correct. The 3 and 4 are each thicker respectivley
Bill
That is correct. The 3 and 4 are each thicker respectivley
Bill
The 3-row is not much thicker than the 2-row but the 4-row is pretty big. I am using a 4-row with the stock 4 blade fan. I can not use a flex fan because if I use a 1/4 spacer (the smallest there is) the fan hits the radiator. If I do not use a spacer the fan sits to close to the engine and hits the alternator bolt.
I will either use a stiff 6 blade or put a pusher in front. But I also have to retard my timing so that might also help.
I will either use a stiff 6 blade or put a pusher in front. But I also have to retard my timing so that might also help.
A
Anonymous
Guest
I would go with an electric fan...because it just draws electrical power NOT motor driven(fandriven) power....which is what you want if you go for more power.....mine is a Perma-Cool 16" fan that blows 2100cfm per min. and the depth is only 3.25" which fits in front of your radiator.
And another VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: High performance engines run hotter....I put in my radiator something called "Stops Overheating" its made by Pro-Blend Motorsports out of Winston-Salem NC...your local Auto Parts store should have it ...it reduces water temp by up to 28 degrees...and EVERY BIT HELPS!!!!!!! I've noticed a drop in my water temp. since I started using it...try it...it works!!!!!!!!
:idea: 
And another VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: High performance engines run hotter....I put in my radiator something called "Stops Overheating" its made by Pro-Blend Motorsports out of Winston-Salem NC...your local Auto Parts store should have it ...it reduces water temp by up to 28 degrees...and EVERY BIT HELPS!!!!!!! I've noticed a drop in my water temp. since I started using it...try it...it works!!!!!!!!
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