Hey guys, Im building a blown Flathead for my coupe, and want to run a mechanical fan. Im running a early GMC 471 with a Mitchell manifold . Not sure how to get the fan to work.. I plan on running a 3 "V" belt set up . Id appreciate any advice, and pictures would be great .. Thanks all ……..
mechanical fan is going to be a real hassle...I went with an electric after exhausting all options...
Several people told me when I was building my flathead that I didn't need a fan. I kind of have the worst conditions with a little 28 ford grille shell to confine the radiator. But, on my pretty hot 286" flathead, my electric fan rarely kicks on, and I mean rarely. Even driving in our Texas summer heat on 100 degree days, I would have to sit at a stop light for several minutes before it would even come on. Now that it is cooler, it never comes on. I am not sure what you are planning for usage on your car, but unless you need to account for a lot of idling, chances are you dont need a fan.
Take a look at this website for ideas- www.uncommon engineering.com It looks like he is using the generator bracket on the blower manifold to mount the idler pulley. Actually I don’t think this idea is the best, but could the fan be mounted to the idler? The Mitchell manifold has no provision for a generator, and just a guess here but the Unc. Eng’r. manifolds might be carburetor manifolds that are modified to accept a blower. Other than putting a fan on the idler I see no way to run one.
Here is an early picture of my 471 blown flatty. If you figure it out your a better man than I Gunga Din. I ended up burying mine in a polished fan shroud that is rather difficult to make out unless you work at it. With the hood top on, it is invisible. I'd still rather have a mechanical but the car disagreed with me.
Thanks all for the reply's, I knew it was gonna be hard, but I really don't like the look of a electric fan. Squirrel, do you know who's car this is ?
I have the same obsession as you. Hell bent on a mechanical fan with my Scot blower. Here are a couple setups I've collected photos from- not sure about the first photos, but the second to last car is RockabillyJesus on Instagram and the last photo is Brian Bass's awesome roadster:
And thanks you Matt, good pic's, gives me something to think about, Ill be seeing Brian Saturday, Wish I could see how the fans are mounted, lol .
It would be helpful if you had any pictures with the motor mocked up. If it looks like Bandit Billy's with the idler pulley in the middle, I don't see how that would be done.
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