YES. An electric fan.

Bob Dunahugh

New member
Sep 17, 2012
2,784
4
3
A guy In Georgia put an aluminum radiator in her 73 GMC. Then told her that he could put in an electric fan that would be better then the stock fan, and shroud. It couldn't pull in enough air to cool the 455 on hills. He put in 16 gauge wire. with a 20 amp relay. To protect the wiring. He put in a 40 amp fuse. That's a plan. As she was leaving Shawnee. The relay fried. So I put the highest amp switch in that I could find. 35 amp. And told her to turn the fan on in town, and for hills only to get her the 500 miles to my house. How the wire held up. I don't know. But it did. She said that the switch was getting hot at times. I can't remember the name of the guy that ripped her off. It's discussing. Just not right what he charged her. Somebody must know his name. Bob Dunahugh
 
How much current is that fan suppose to draw?
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
Bob,

I hope it's not Zeb Frady you're talking about working on Barbara's coach.
That doesn't sound like the quality work I've always expected from him.
But I don't know of anyone else in GA who knows enough about GMC's to check
the water level.

Ken H.

> A guy In Georgia put an aluminum radiator in her 73 GMC. Then told her
> that he could put in an electric fan that would be better then the stock
> fan, and shroud. It couldn't pull in enough air to cool the 455 on hills.
> He put in 16 gauge wire. with a 20 amp relay. To protect the wiring. He put
> in a 40 amp fuse. That's a plan. As she was leaving Shawnee. The relay
> fried. So I put the highest amp switch in that I could find. 35 amp. And
> told her to turn the fan on in town, and for hills only to get her the 500
> miles to my house. How the wire held up. I don't know. But it did. She said
> that the switch was getting hot at times. I can't remember the name of the
> guy that ripped her off. It's discussing. Just not right what he charged
> her. Somebody must know his name. Bob Dunahugh
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
A good quality electric fan that moves a lot of air will surely require heavy wire and high current rated relay contacts. In most cases it will also
require a higher capacity alternator in the vehicle. When all is said and done the heavy duty clutch fan that was removed was the better choice.
--
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
 
Roy,
High capacity fans do require HC Alternators.
Fans are not all alike. Some flow lot of air, but when a radiator is placed
in front of it , the flow drops considerably. Flow does not mean much till
they can supply a chart showing amount of flow at certain resistance.
On our Air Filter Housing and blower side of our business, I'm always
sizing different blowers to diffferential pressure drop through coils,etc.
I have yet to find a fan unit that I can comfortably install to handle
cooling situation in severe cases.
One GMC shop install an electric fan on her coach, now she is having
heating problems.
Most knowledgeable shops spend time exchanging and asking questions weekly
so we don't come up with something for a customer that does not work.
I notice he never shows up at any National functions where we exchange
information.
I learn lot of things at these functions, and share information.

> A good quality electric fan that moves a lot of air will surely require
> heavy wire and high current rated relay contacts. In most cases it will also
> require a higher capacity alternator in the vehicle. When all is said and
> done the heavy duty clutch fan that was removed was the better choice.
> --
> Roy Keen
> Minden,NV
> 76 X Glenbrook
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
Bob said " A guy In Georgia" put in the electric fan. Zeb Frady was a name
mentioned but not tied to this situation!

Let's find out WHO did the work before we have a short circuit......

Mike in NS

> Roy,
> High capacity fans do require HC Alternators.
> Fans are not all alike. Some flow lot of air, but when a radiator is placed
> in front of it , the flow drops considerably. Flow does not mean much till
> they can supply a chart showing amount of flow at certain resistance.
> On our Air Filter Housing and blower side of our business, I'm always
> sizing different blowers to diffferential pressure drop through coils,etc.
> I have yet to find a fan unit that I can comfortably install to handle
> cooling situation in severe cases.
> One GMC shop install an electric fan on her coach, now she is having
> heating problems.
> Most knowledgeable shops spend time exchanging and asking questions weekly
> so we don't come up with something for a customer that does not work.
> I notice he never shows up at any National functions where we exchange
> information.
> I learn lot of things at these functions, and share information.
>

>
> > A good quality electric fan that moves a lot of air will surely require
> > heavy wire and high current rated relay contacts. In most cases it will
> also
> > require a higher capacity alternator in the vehicle. When all is said and
> > done the heavy duty clutch fan that was removed was the better choice.
> > --
> > Roy Keen
> > Minden,NV
> > 76 X Glenbrook
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Jim Kanomata
> Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
> jimk
> http://www.appliedgmc.com
> 1-800-752-7502
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Michael Beaton
1977 Kingsley 26-11
1977 Eleganza II 26-3
Antigonish, NS

Life is too short to hold a grudge; slash some tires and call it even !
 
I believe it was a puller.
We have concluded that the puller is the best for our application, but
again it has not worked for us and others.

> I wonder if the fan was a pusher or puller...
>
> _______________________________________________
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> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
Barb said it was Zeb, or his son. Aluminum Radiator, fan, belts, 80 amp alternator, and some exhaust gaskets. I think that was all she said. At close to $5,000. Seems fair. Right? We talked tonight on the plan. Trans is going in Thursday/Friday. We all played today. So tomorrow I'm starting at the front. Going to check everything till I get to the rear. Then buff the paint. And paint the black trim around the windows. I want it to run, and look good. Probably be a two week job. She's going to help Linda. So I'm going to be on the no labor plan. Bob Dunahugh

A guy In Georgia put an aluminum radiator in her 73 GMC. Then told her that he could put in an electric fan that would be better then the stock fan, and shroud. It couldn't pull in enough air to cool the 455 on hills. He put in 16 gauge wire. with a 20 amp relay. To protect the wiring. He put in a 40 amp fuse. That's a plan. As she was leaving Shawnee. The relay fried. So I put the highest amp switch in that I could find. 35 amp. And told her to turn the fan on in town, and for hills only to get her the 500 miles to my house. How the wire held up. I don't know. But it did. She said that the switch was getting hot at times. I can't remember the name of the guy that ripped her off. It's discussing. Just not right what he charged her. Somebody must know his name. Bob Dunahugh
 
The fan is a big puller with no shroud. As it's up close to the Rad. Bob

Barb said it was Zeb, or his son. Aluminum Radiator, fan, belts, 80 amp alternator, and some exhaust gaskets. I think that was all she said. At close to $5,000. Seems fair. Right? We talked tonight on the plan. Trans is going in Thursday/Friday. We all played today. So tomorrow I'm starting at the front. Going to check everything till I get to the rear. Then buff the paint. And paint the black trim around the windows. I want it to run, and look good. Probably be a two week job. She's going to help Linda. So I'm going to be on the no labor plan. Bob Dunahugh

A guy In Georgia put an aluminum radiator in her 73 GMC. Then told her that he could put in an electric fan that would be better then the stock fan, and shroud. It couldn't pull in enough air to cool the 455 on hills. He put in 16 gauge wire. with a 20 amp relay. To protect the wiring. He put in a 40 amp fuse. That's a plan. As she was leaving Shawnee. The relay fried. So I put the highest amp switch in that I could find. 35 amp. And told her to turn the fan on in town, and for hills only to get her the 500 miles to my house. How the wire held up. I don't know. But it did. She said that the switch was getting hot at times. I can't remember the name of the guy that ripped her off. It's discussing. Just not right what he charged her. Somebody must know his name. Bob Dunahugh
 
Then it's official, it was done at Zebs and for almost $5000....Wow. !

Mike in NS

> The fan is a big puller with no shroud. As it's up close to the Rad. Bob
>
>
>
> Barb said it was Zeb, or his son. Aluminum Radiator, fan, belts, 80 amp
> alternator, and some exhaust gaskets. I think that was all she said. At
> close to $5,000. Seems fair. Right? We talked tonight on the plan. Trans is
> going in Thursday/Friday. We all played today. So tomorrow I'm starting at
> the front. Going to check everything till I get to the rear. Then buff the
> paint. And paint the black trim around the windows. I want it to run, and
> look good. Probably be a two week job. She's going to help Linda. So I'm
> going to be on the no labor plan. Bob Dunahugh
>
>
>
> A guy In Georgia put an aluminum radiator in her 73 GMC. Then told her
> that he could put in an electric fan that would be better then the stock
> fan, and shroud. It couldn't pull in enough air to cool the 455 on hills.
> He put in 16 gauge wire. with a 20 amp relay. To protect the wiring. He put
> in a 40 amp fuse. That's a plan. As she was leaving Shawnee. The relay
> fried. So I put the highest amp switch in that I could find. 35 amp. And
> told her to turn the fan on in town, and for hills only to get her the 500
> miles to my house. How the wire held up. I don't know. But it did. She said
> that the switch was getting hot at times. I can't remember the name of the
> guy that ripped her off. It's discussing. Just not right what he charged
> her. Somebody must know his name. Bob Dunahugh
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Michael Beaton
1977 Kingsley 26-11
1977 Eleganza II 26-3
Antigonish, NS

Life is too short to hold a grudge; slash some tires and call it even !
 
Sounds like very bad publicity for Zeb - just sayin. Why would a GMCer do that to himself - no answer needed!!!
I did not know that name before this thread - and now am sure I will forget it immediately - no sense in asking for trouble.
BTW - love this group - am learning a lot!
Mike/The Corvair a holic

Sent from my iPhone

>
> Then it's official, it was done at Zebs and for almost $5000....Wow. !
>
> Mike in NS
>

>>
>> The fan is a big puller with no shroud. As it's up close to the Rad. Bob
>>
>>
>>
>> Barb said it was Zeb, or his son. Aluminum Radiator, fan, belts, 80 amp
>> alternator, and some exhaust gaskets. I think that was all she said. At
>> close to $5,000. Seems fair. Right? We talked tonight on the plan. Trans is
>> going in Thursday/Friday. We all played today. So tomorrow I'm starting at
>> the front. Going to check everything till I get to the rear. Then buff the
>> paint. And paint the black trim around the windows. I want it to run, and
>> look good. Probably be a two week job. She's going to help Linda. So I'm
>> going to be on the no labor plan. Bob Dunahugh
>>
>>
>>
>> A guy In Georgia put an aluminum radiator in her 73 GMC. Then told her
>> that he could put in an electric fan that would be better then the stock
>> fan, and shroud. It couldn't pull in enough air to cool the 455 on hills.
>> He put in 16 gauge wire. with a 20 amp relay. To protect the wiring. He put
>> in a 40 amp fuse. That's a plan. As she was leaving Shawnee. The relay
>> fried. So I put the highest amp switch in that I could find. 35 amp. And
>> told her to turn the fan on in town, and for hills only to get her the 500
>> miles to my house. How the wire held up. I don't know. But it did. She said
>> that the switch was getting hot at times. I can't remember the name of the
>> guy that ripped her off. It's discussing. Just not right what he charged
>> her. Somebody must know his name. Bob Dunahugh
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Michael Beaton
> 1977 Kingsley 26-11
> 1977 Eleganza II 26-3
> Antigonish, NS
>
> Life is too short to hold a grudge; slash some tires and call it even !
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
In my book, you need a good fan shroud to utilize as much of the area as
possible to reduce pressure by spreading out the flow in through the
radiator.
We use data from Spal fans as they publish the CFM with the resistance, so
we have an idea of true flow.
Free flow data is worthless than a nipple on a Hog.

> Sounds like very bad publicity for Zeb - just sayin. Why would a GMCer
> do that to himself - no answer needed!!!
> I did not know that name before this thread - and now am sure I will
> forget it immediately - no sense in asking for trouble.
> BTW - love this group - am learning a lot!
> Mike/The Corvair a holic
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Apr 10, 2017, at 6:24 AM, Kingsley Coach

> >
> > Then it's official, it was done at Zebs and for almost $5000....Wow. !
> >
> > Mike in NS
> >
> >> On Mon, Apr 10, 2017 at 12:27 AM, Bob Dunahugh

> >>
> >> The fan is a big puller with no shroud. As it's up close to the Rad.
> Bob
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Barb said it was Zeb, or his son. Aluminum Radiator, fan, belts, 80 amp
> >> alternator, and some exhaust gaskets. I think that was all she said. At
> >> close to $5,000. Seems fair. Right? We talked tonight on the plan.
> Trans is
> >> going in Thursday/Friday. We all played today. So tomorrow I'm starting
> at
> >> the front. Going to check everything till I get to the rear. Then buff
> the
> >> paint. And paint the black trim around the windows. I want it to run,
> and
> >> look good. Probably be a two week job. She's going to help Linda. So I'm
> >> going to be on the no labor plan. Bob Dunahugh
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> A guy In Georgia put an aluminum radiator in her 73 GMC. Then told her
> >> that he could put in an electric fan that would be better then the stock
> >> fan, and shroud. It couldn't pull in enough air to cool the 455 on
> hills.
> >> He put in 16 gauge wire. with a 20 amp relay. To protect the wiring. He
> put
> >> in a 40 amp fuse. That's a plan. As she was leaving Shawnee. The relay
> >> fried. So I put the highest amp switch in that I could find. 35 amp.
> And
> >> told her to turn the fan on in town, and for hills only to get her the
> 500
> >> miles to my house. How the wire held up. I don't know. But it did. She
> said
> >> that the switch was getting hot at times. I can't remember the name of
> the
> >> guy that ripped her off. It's discussing. Just not right what he charged
> >> her. Somebody must know his name. Bob Dunahugh
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> GMCnet mailing list
> >> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> >> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Michael Beaton
> > 1977 Kingsley 26-11
> > 1977 Eleganza II 26-3
> > Antigonish, NS
> >
> > Life is too short to hold a grudge; slash some tires and call it even !
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
A short story about an electric fan installed on a 1969 Pontiac firebird? My friend took his car to a hot rod shop to install an aftermarket air
conditioner. They installed the a/c and replaced the stock engine driven fan with a cheap electric fan. The engine ran hot my friend took it back and
they replaced the radiator with a new 4 row radiator and a new thermostat. Still ran hot so they told him he needs a new engine. He took it to a
different shop they changed the thermostat again and smaller water pump pulley. Ran hot still and told him he needed a new motor. My friend was in
very poor health out a lot of money and his car was unusable for a year so I told him I would fix it and the least expensive way was the stock schroud
and a 2747 or 2797 clutch fan same as on the GMC. The car now ran rock steady at 180 degrees ,my friend died 6 months later but at least he was able
to drive his hot rod. A high flow electric fan ,heavy wire.relay , and bigger alternator would have been ok but at a much greater cost and probably
not as good in my opinion.
--
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
 
Roy,
You did the right thing.
There is no single electric fan unit that can pull air through our radiator
like the OEM unit.
We came down to a two fan unit from Spal as the closest, but not close
enough.
To make it work somewhat, one need to have a good fan shroud and even more
higher capacity fan at pressure drop of .60" WG minimum.

> In my book, you need a good fan shroud to utilize as much of the area as
> possible to reduce pressure by spreading out the flow in through the
> radiator.
> We use data from Spal fans as they publish the CFM with the resistance, so
> we have an idea of true flow.
> Free flow data is worthless than a nipple on a Hog.
>

>
>> Sounds like very bad publicity for Zeb - just sayin. Why would a GMCer
>> do that to himself - no answer needed!!!
>> I did not know that name before this thread - and now am sure I will
>> forget it immediately - no sense in asking for trouble.
>> BTW - love this group - am learning a lot!
>> Mike/The Corvair a holic
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> > On Apr 10, 2017, at 6:24 AM, Kingsley Coach

>> >
>> > Then it's official, it was done at Zebs and for almost $5000....Wow. !
>> >
>> > Mike in NS
>> >
>> >> On Mon, Apr 10, 2017 at 12:27 AM, Bob Dunahugh

>> >>
>> >> The fan is a big puller with no shroud. As it's up close to the Rad.
>> Bob
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Barb said it was Zeb, or his son. Aluminum Radiator, fan, belts, 80 amp
>> >> alternator, and some exhaust gaskets. I think that was all she said. At
>> >> close to $5,000. Seems fair. Right? We talked tonight on the plan.
>> Trans is
>> >> going in Thursday/Friday. We all played today. So tomorrow I'm
>> starting at
>> >> the front. Going to check everything till I get to the rear. Then buff
>> the
>> >> paint. And paint the black trim around the windows. I want it to run,
>> and
>> >> look good. Probably be a two week job. She's going to help Linda. So
>> I'm
>> >> going to be on the no labor plan. Bob Dunahugh
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> A guy In Georgia put an aluminum radiator in her 73 GMC. Then told her
>> >> that he could put in an electric fan that would be better then the
>> stock
>> >> fan, and shroud. It couldn't pull in enough air to cool the 455 on
>> hills.
>> >> He put in 16 gauge wire. with a 20 amp relay. To protect the wiring.
>> He put
>> >> in a 40 amp fuse. That's a plan. As she was leaving Shawnee. The relay
>> >> fried. So I put the highest amp switch in that I could find. 35 amp.
>> And
>> >> told her to turn the fan on in town, and for hills only to get her
>> the 500
>> >> miles to my house. How the wire held up. I don't know. But it did. She
>> said
>> >> that the switch was getting hot at times. I can't remember the name of
>> the
>> >> guy that ripped her off. It's discussing. Just not right what he
>> charged
>> >> her. Somebody must know his name. Bob Dunahugh
>> >> _______________________________________________
>> >> GMCnet mailing list
>> >> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> >> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>> > Michael Beaton
>> > 1977 Kingsley 26-11
>> > 1977 Eleganza II 26-3
>> > Antigonish, NS
>> >
>> > Life is too short to hold a grudge; slash some tires and call it even !
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > GMCnet mailing list
>> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Jim Kanomata
> Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
> jimk
> http://www.appliedgmc.com
> 1-800-752-7502
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
Just another note of interest on fans. When I re powered my SOB I was fortunate enough to deal with the engineering department at Modine and they by
chance were in the process of redesigning the cooling system for the E series MCI bus.This enabled me to get real numbers required to cool the beast.
Not the same exact bus I was working with but in the ball park for data. The fan I swing is a 34" monster but the HP required to spin that bad boy
calculated to 52 HP at 2400 rpm fan speed. Any thought of an electric driven fan with that capability would have required a trailer mounted APU pulled
behind me, NOT gonna happen.
It might be possible to achieve the required cooling on our GMC's with electric fans but it sure won't be a simple process.
JMHO, Hal
--
1977 Royale 101348,

1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,

1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout
 
Any thoughts on electric fan(s) (pusher?) As backup for extra hot days/stuck in traffic?

Pete
--
Cary, NC

No Coach yet but likely center kitchen, dry side bath Royale, 78, 403, hopefully with good original white Imron paint.
 
> Any thoughts on electric fan(s) (pusher?) As backup for extra hot days/stuck in traffic?
>
> Pete

Pete,

Those of us with good fans, clutches and full shrouds have not had many issues with over heating even in traffic.

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Still Loving OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
Yes, my thought is that it is a waste of time and money. It would take too much current for a large enough fan to do any good.
If you are often having problems with hot day or stuck in traffic you should consider using a 70% mix of antifreeze coolant instead of 50%. That will give you a higher boil protection.
You should also turn off your air conditioner if in that condition.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO

>
> Any thoughts on electric fan(s) (pusher?) As backup for extra hot days/stuck in traffic?
>
> Pete
> --
> Cary, NC
>
> No Coach yet but likely center kitchen, dry side bath Royale, 78, 403, hopefully with good original white Imron paint.
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
> Any thoughts on electric fan(s) (pusher?) As backup for extra hot days/stuck in traffic?
> Pete
In traffic, the engine isn't burning 6 gallons per hour like it is at highway speed, so the radiator needs to dissipate less energy. The fan makes
fewer turns per unit time which mostly balances out. The stock design is sufficient 99.9% of the time. The exception would be like that time when I
was a kid in the station wagon for the bi-annual cross-country summer trip, trying to get through Las Vegas stop and go "rush" hour traffic lights
mid/late afternoon when the temperature was 120F. Pull over somewhere and wait for sundown like we did.
--
73 23' Sequoia 4 Sale
73 23' CanyonLands Parts Unit 4 Sale
Upper Alabama
"When I grow up I am going to be a curmudgeon."