thinking about going Alum Rad-3FE

[rghouse]

Hi Mudders,

I am thinking about swapping out my stock rad with an Aluminum radiator being that I still cannot solve my cooling issues (idling A/C on in heat) and am scared to take trips involving traffic (HW 80 is off limits now).

Can I get some feed back from owners (especially those running digital thermometers) concerning temps, post AL Rad?

Also, aftermarket electric cooling fan experience-

ty

 

[mct75]

idling A/C on

This reeks of insufficient airflow. Have you looked at the fan clutch?

Electric fans move nowhere near as much air as a properly working mechanical fan.

 

[rghouse]

I am going to pull my green hub FC (with stock fluid) today and send it back, still under warranty (installed last summer). It has never roared, mechanics around here say it works as it should but jonheld and the like keep telling me its the culprit. We will see, I have my doubts. Fan shroud is good, new water pump, t stat, t sensor, top-end re-done. Stock radiator was removed and tested and deemed fine by reputable radiator shop (that actually told me they built a custom radiator for a local guy with an 80 who had same issues).

Also, I lost about 1/2 gallon of coolant from August-May after cooling system over-haul.

 

[Tools R Us]

This reeks of insufficient airflow. Have you looked at the fan clutch?

Electric fans move nowhere near as much air as a properly working mechanical fan.

X2 ^^^

What clutch is on it? The early aqua and black hub types are pretty stout, if it needs help, simply swapping to 10k cst restores power. If it's an aftermarket, they suck, get an Aisin.

 

[mct75]

If you have a cruiser friend nearby, go check theirs out. Even if it is a 1FZ you can see how the fan moves a ton of air at startup and then slows down once the fluid gets slung out. Hold your hand out over the engine and feel how much wind that sucker moves at startup.

 

[rghouse]

I could not find AISIN stamped anywhere on it (like the one I removed) but it is green, and supplier says it is OEM. BTW I tried 15k weight in the old one (before replacing) with no change or improvement.

 

[Tools R Us]

Should look like this, all that I have seen have Aisin on them.
Amazon.com: Aisin FCT-049 Engine Cooling Fan Clutch: Automotive
AISIN FCT049 Radiator Fan Clutch | RockAuto

If there is coolant loss, need to find why, have you pressure tested it?

 

[rghouse]

Ok, just pulled it out, it does have aisin stamped on it. Yes, pressure tested last summer and checked out. will do it again tho

 

[SUMMIT CRUISERS]

As others are mentioning, fan must roar at cold startup and when idling at warm/hot temps. If not, that is the first and biggest problem. Replace clutch or juice up with 15k until it roars.

 

[sea bass]

I have to aqua green fan clutches one for summer with 30,000 CST and one for winter with 12000 CST the 30,000 roars all day all night every day, the first thing to do is check your fan clutch, how's your timing on the 3fe is it retarded that will cause your engine to run real hot, just because the fan is spinning doesn't mean it's pulling air, don't waste your time on electric fans I have 2 I don't use them much they don't really work well I plan on taking mine off, with my modified clutches and engine tuned perfect even in a 112 degree Heat my AC is at 40 degrees and my engine temps are right where they need to be

 

[rghouse]

thanks sea bass/Summit. I guess I will be draining the replacement FC, and filling with 15k before I install. 30 mL fluid ya?

 

[mct75]

I still think you are overthinking this. A (properly working) factory fan clutch is adequate for 99% of all use cases. If you have one that doesn't roar, it's defective.

My fan clutch had a bad bearing when I got my Cruiser, and I picked up one from a junkyard for 40 bucks. It has the roar at startup and works perfectly. I'd try that long before screwing around with the fluid in there, which gives you an opportunity to mess up a good one.

 

[rghouse]

Insufficient air flow still persists, roaring is just sorry, startup is weak/quiet at low rpms then jumps up after a few seconds. I am now on my third fan clutch. It's been overhearing almost every time I slow down or idle now that it's over 100. Also the idle jumps up and down like it's starved of water, going from bout 400-1100. This also happens at startup sometimes when AC is on. I am at my wits end here, poored almost 2k into this pos and might have to sell it. My plans as of now are to try heavier fluid and if that doesn't work buy an aluminum radiator.

 

[NLXTACY]

Insufficient air flow still persists, roaring is just sorry, startup is weak/quiet at low rpms then jumps up after a few seconds. I am now on my third fan clutch. It's been overhearing almost every time I slow down or idle now that it's over 100. Also the idle jumps up and down like it's starved of water, going from bout 400-1100. This also happens at startup sometimes when AC is on. I am at my wits end here, poored almost 2k into this pos and might have to sell it. My plans as of now are to try heavier fluid and if that doesn't work buy an aluminum radiator.

You say third fan clutch, what kind and from where? I have now experienced my fifth Amazon Aisin blue hub that had zero or near zero silicone oil inside.

 

[benjrblant]

You say third fan clutch, what kind and from where? I have now experienced my fifth Amazon Aisin blue hub that had zero or near zero silicone oil inside.

Oh man, I'm just about to replace my clutch. Not confidence inspiring.

 

[rghouse]

Green hub aisin from cruiserparts

 

[mct75]

How about you fill the clutch with epoxy and never have to worry about it again?

 

[rghouse]

How's that work?

 

[mct75]

The fan spins at 100% speed all the time. You will not be wanting for airflow.

 

[NLXTACY]

The fan spins at 100% speed all the time. You will not be wanting for airflow.

But you will be missing the loads of extra horsepower the 3FE affords