Electric cooling fans - worth the investment?

[abridges01]

Hi folks.

I have a 1975 26' Argosy MH with Chevy 454 engine reinstall underway and was wondering if anyone has experience of switching out the standard viscous mechanical belt driven fan with a single/twin electric cooling fans?

I have heard cooling can be an issue with the Chevy P30 chassis RV's and am prepared to make the uinvestment, but read on the Flex-a-lite faq pages that they do not recommend use on 4 core rads or RV's.

If anyone has had positive experiences, can you please advise brand/model and source? Oh, and if you're available to come round and fir it...

Cheers,

Andrew

[uwe]

Originally Posted by abridges01

Hi folks.

I have a 1975 26' Argosy MH with Chevy 454 engine reinstall underway and was wondering if anyone has experience of switching out the standard viscous mechanical belt driven fan with a single/twin electric cooling fans?

I have heard cooling can be an issue with the Chevy P30 chassis RV's and am prepared to make the uinvestment, but read on the Flex-a-lite faq pages that they do not recommend use on 4 core rads or RV's.

If anyone has had positive experiences, can you please advise brand/model and source? Oh, and if you're available to come round and fir it...

Cheers,

Andrew

I think it depends on the fans, and the temp selection of the switch that will turn them on.

My 97 Suburban had a engine driven viscous fan clutch with a large fan blade. It always ran relatively cool. But I could hear the fan howl at times when I really didn't think it was needed. ( Like leaving my house at 6:00AM in 45F temperatures)
My 2007 Suburban has electric cooling fans, controlled by engine coolant temperature, as well as A/C requirements.
My point is, I believe that a well designed electric fan layout can definitely cool down a 454 Chevy.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, just leave it stock; My P-30 "Mac Tools" truck was overloaded all the time [16,750 lbs on a 14,000 lb GVWR] and never overheated. On my 1959 Ford Galaxie, after adding Air conditioner, I had a solid fan, a flex fan, a flex fan with one electric fan, a fan clutch, a fan clutch with one electric fan, and now two electric fans. Little pluses and minuses with each, but no real improvement on any over the other.

[jayray5]

Best thing I ever did to my 454 was add headers. I had cracked two curb side exhaust manifolds. With a manual switched electric fan (for low speeds) I never had another problem. While you are doing the install is a great time to go with headers.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by jayray5

Best thing I ever did to my 454 was add headers. I had cracked two curb side exhaust manifolds. With a manual switched electric fan (for low speeds) I never had another problem. While you are doing the install is a great time to go with headers.

Hi, headers is a good idea; My P-30 had three sets of cast iron exhaust manifolds while I owned it. [sold it with 68,000 miles on it]

[abridges01]

Thanks for the input, I guess sticking with a stock mechanical fan is the better route.

Any recommendations for headers type or source?

[drfw]

when I bought my 83 310 MH 5 yrs ago, the first thing I noticed was the temp skyHi.
I did the usual radiator maintenance routine, searched this site for ideas.
Was not in the mood to change out the radiator.
I decided to add a big fan to the front of the radiator to assist the stock clutch fan.
I use a manual switch for the electric fan.
the solution has been working great. No complaints.

PS: I added a tranny cooler with a small fan on it as well.