ERA Dual Front Fans

[Speedwaypj]

I'm building a 427 Replica with a built/stroked 429 (460), cooling with an aluminum radiator using a Mechanical 6-blade Flex-Fan (with a shroud). It seems like I'll need additional cooling. Do those of you that have the ERA Dual Front Fans find them helpful? I really like the looks of them.
Thx,
PJ

[Cobranut]

If the ERA fans are the original type, approx 10" diameter unshrouded aluminum pusher fans, they're more ornamental than functional.

Better to ditch the flex fan, and use a pair of good electric puller fans in a shroud which fits your radiator properly.
Use the largest fans that will fit properly.

I have both, the original type and two pullers behind the radiator. My 12.5: 427 will sit in traffic in extremely hot weather literally forever. I've never seen the temp exceed 210* with a 180* thermostat, and the fan controller set to turn on around 190*.

[Speedwaypj]

Thanks for the reply David.
The reason I'm running the Flex Fan is to move more air through the engine compartment. On a 90F day, it'll get up to 235 after 1/2 hr of idle. If I raise the RPM it'll drop to 220....So I don't need much to help out....once I get it on the road I would believe it'll run cooler under way.
From what I understand these Dual Front Pusher fans were added to the original Cobras to aid in cooling....so I would think they would help some...???
When you run your Dual Front Fans, does the temp drop at all?
I would be interested in what puller fan (Make, model, CFM) set up you are using.

Thanks again....I'm hoping to hear from more folks as to their experience with the dual front pusher fans....I've seen a lot of them out there!
PJ

[patrickt]

They do help at low speeds. I've written about it numerous times, and how to split the circuitry for better use and redundancy. Like this: Cool Modification - For Pusher Fans Only, Though and this: ERA Pusher Fans - loose wire?

[cycleguy55]

Originally Posted by Speedwaypj

Thanks for the reply David.
The reason I'm running the Flex Fan is to move more air through the engine compartment. On a 90F day, it'll get up to 235 after 1/2 hr of idle. If I raise the RPM it'll drop to 220....So I don't need much to help out....once I get it on the road I would believe it'll run cooler under way.
From what I understand these Dual Front Pusher fans were added to the original Cobras to aid in cooling....so I would think they would help some...???
When you run your Dual Front Fans, does the temp drop at all?
I would be interested in what puller fan (Make, model, CFM) set up you are using.

Thanks again....I'm hoping to hear from more folks as to their experience with the dual front pusher fans....I've seen a lot of them out there!
PJ

Sounds like your cooling system only needs a little bit of help. The pusher fans may well be all you need. You can wire them with a thermo-switch, controller (adjustable or fixed) and a switch on the dash for manual over-ride, or just go with the switch on the dash. Either way, wire them with a circuit breaker instead of a fuse, a relay and wiring of sufficient capacity to handle the load.

[Speedwaypj]

Thanks Patrickt!
I did review your write up(s) - very informative. I'll probably go with these Dual Fronts as auxiliary fans, but wire them each separately.
Your Cobra looks great!
PJ

[Speedwaypj]

Cycle55......Thx for the tip of using CB vs Fuse....I've learned that building Custom Bikes....Sweet ride and I like those valve covers on your BBF ...cool!

[cycleguy55]

Originally Posted by Speedwaypj

Cycle55......Thx for the tip of using CB vs Fuse....I've learned that building Custom Bikes....Sweet ride and I like those valve covers on your BBF ...cool!

Fuses blow too easily on a quick peak load like that when starting up the fans.
Slow-blow fuses could be used, but why bother when circuit breakers are widely available and cheap.

I'm only running a pair of pullers right now, but giving thought to adding a pair of pushers - more for show than anything else. Regardless, when the relay for my pullers failed on me I saw some pretty high temperatures before I was able to get some open road and make it home. I resolved to prevent that from happening if at all possible.

In tearing things apart I discovered there was no real protection on the circuit, so I added a 40 amp circuit breaker. I also installed not one, but two 40 amp relays in parallel - the theory being they share the load (reducing the probability of failure) but, if one did fail, the other was there as redundant backup to keep things running. Either relay is sufficient, but having them both means it's HIGHLY unlikely to ever happen again.