Car overcooling?

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jtbo
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Post by jtbo » 24 Jul 2005 11:44 am

Low speed option depends from fan, so only difference would be to buy bit different fan.

Fibre work is something I'm staying bit away, though. Never had done such a job. But electric fan is on my todo list :)
Volvo 360GL -88 -under restoration-
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Volvo 240 Diesel -83 -undecided-
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foggyjames
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Post by foggyjames » 24 Jul 2005 12:51 pm

What kind of shape is your radiator in? I was shocked at the difference it made to my car...and at first sight it wasn't that bad... I got a genuine Volvo one from an independant specialist for ~£87 (ie: about half price!)

I know almost all Volvo electric fans are two speed. I'd try pulling an e-fan from something as new as you can find - say an 850, or a '70'. You'll then need a controller. The aftermarket ones seem to be quite expensive for what they are though. You might be able to hook up the control circuit from the donor car.

I'm going for a blower (ie: in front of the radiator), since they're supposed to be more efficient, but you're now talking me into a two-speed arrangement, as I don't really want it making a racket whenever I hit the AC button...

Speaking to Ravennexus last night, he said most German manufacturers use electric solenoid couplings...ie: full lock-up and total disengagement. A later development of our mechanical couplings. Worth investigating maybe? I might look into it myself.

cheers

James
VOC 300-series Register Keeper
'89 740 Turbo Intercooler
'88 360 Turbo Intercooler
'85 360 GLT
'81 343 GLS R-Sport
'79 343 DL
'70 164
...and some modern FWD nonsense to get me to work...

pettaw
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Post by pettaw » 24 Jul 2005 02:14 pm

My rad is fine, because I replaced it a few months ago. The old one was cooling fine too, but it was starting to get a bit rusty, and because I needed the one with the extra hole on the bottom drivers side, the part was a rare one. Apparently it had already gone unavailable but they happened to have one sitting in the store in Daventry.

Interesting idea to get one from an 850/940 or something.

EDIT: also, don't go for a blower, you should go for a sucker, as they're by far the superior. Blowers block the airflow when they're not running and when they are running, air escapes round the side.

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foggyjames
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Post by foggyjames » 24 Jul 2005 04:16 pm

This is what 'everyone' seems to say, but it's not the advice from the fan manufacturers...and I'm sure the majority of serious performance cars have blowers for a good reason. Having said that, if I want a rad, IC and a condensor up there, the decision might be made for me...

cheers

James
VOC 300-series Register Keeper
'89 740 Turbo Intercooler
'88 360 Turbo Intercooler
'85 360 GLT
'81 343 GLS R-Sport
'79 343 DL
'70 164
...and some modern FWD nonsense to get me to work...

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