Electric fan or new fan clutch/shroud for my 240z?

[jalexquijano]

On 1/9/2022 at 11:07 AM, Mark Maras said:

 If the fan clutch appears to be working properly, I think ceramic coated headers may help. Cliff reports the carbs staying cool to the touch using ceramic headers. If it were mine, I'd also pull a freeze plug or two to check the coolant passages for corrosion and build up. No one knows knows if Cal. Datsun ever cleaned the coolant passages in the block? 

Yes i will find out about this. My engine block is E88. I also took some pictures where you can have a glimpse of the heat shield, phenolic spacers and heat shield extension for your reference. No bubbles at the fuel filter.

Edited January 10 by jalexquijano

[jalexquijano]

On 1/5/2022 at 4:04 PM, Mark Maras said:

 Will this be the final and concrete solution to your problem? No one here has a crystal ball as far as know and if they did they'd be looking for that unrusted barn find Z that most of us know is out there somewhere.

 The shrouded fan(s) would seem to be the best solution, IMO, but but there has been some discussion at HybridZ lately about upgrading the alternator when using double fans.

Mark,

What if i decide instead of removing the cast iron manifold and replacing it with a header to install a twin electric fan and shroud? Will i need to upgrade my 60 amp alternator? If so which will be a direct and recommended replacement?

Edited February 15 by jalexquijano

[Mark Maras]

 Let's open these questions up to members who are much more knowledgeable than me. My thoughts are, if you go with a header, go with a ceramic coated one. According to Cliff his carbs stay cool. Unfortunately, I know even less about switching to a 60 amp alternator except that it seems to be recommended when using elec. fans, especially two of them.

[jalexquijano]

Lets wait for the final input before i make the investment.

[jalexquijano]

On 2/15/2022 at 10:31 AM, Mark Maras said:

 Let's open these questions up to members who are much more knowledgeable than me. My thoughts are, if you go with a header, go with a ceramic coated one. According to Cliff his carbs stay cool. Unfortunately, I know even less about switching to a 60 amp alternator except that it seems to be recommended when using elec. fans, especially two of them.

Just to clarify my actual alternator is rated 60 amp. Will i need to look for a more powerfull alternator if i plan to install twin electric fans to reduce the heat during traffic jams?

[w3wilkes]

I run the 60 amp internally regulated alternator and the dual electric fans and it works just fine.

[jalexquijano]

Well there are only two options left:

To remove the manifold and take it to a shop for ceramic coating to reduce temp at idle during traffic or go all the way with electric fans. If fans fail there goes the engine. 

[siteunseen]

Do both but a ceramic header from MSA.

[cgsheen1]

A. What's the temperature in Panama? (closer to Phoenix, Arizona temperature or Northern Utah temperature?)

B. What's your WATER TEMPERATURE when you're sitting in traffic? (Is your problem with engine cooling OR heat soak in the carbs?)

 

[siteunseen]

1 hour ago, cgsheen1 said:

A. What's the temperature in Panama? (closer to Phoenix, Arizona temperature or Northern Utah temperature?)

B. What's your WATER TEMPERATURE when you're sitting in traffic? (Is your problem with engine cooling OR heat soak in the carbs?)

 

I said what mine was sitting still in my garage, no air flow except the OE fan. I'm not sure he ever tried that but that would be the same as stand still traffic. This was 3 years ago...

California Datsun engine sold to a guy in Panama. Move on, get a honest straight motor. 

You're walking over $100 bills to pick up a quarter.

Edited March 10 by siteunseen

[w3wilkes]

Northern Utah (Wasatch front - SLC center, Ogden North, Provo south) summer daytime temps run in the 90's with some triple digits thrown in for good measure. Low humidity "it's a dry heat". We're in the desert.

Yes, do the ceramic headers too. Both my current 240Z and my '73 lets me know when it's too hot out. Don't know how much difference humidity makes to a car but I guess Panama has way higher humidity than we have in Utah.

[cgsheen1]

Ya, I know that area - raised in Idaho Falls, Grandad lived in SLC. I've driven past Layton 200 times... Do they still use Hill AFB?

Still, if he has a heat-soak / vapor lock issue, it may or may not have anything to do with his radiator or fan. Hence my question.

(Personally, I haven't seen an e-fan setup that moved as much air as the clutch fan in proper working condition. (haven't ever experienced the Taurus fan setup though). I switched to a Koyo 240Z radiator in my Early 260Z and it cools better than anything else I've used - daily driver, stock A/C blasting (cuz raised in Idaho) on a 115 degree day, L28ET with 12PSI and an intercooler, stock 280ZX clutch fan on the ET... Wrapping my exhaust manifold and down pipe made a big difference in the under hood and floor/trans tunnel temperature. But, like you said we have little-to-no humidity on the west side of the Rockies. Maybe couldn't do that with the humidity in Central America, but that's where ceramic comes in. The difference between here and the Wasatch Front is 20+ degrees and it doesn't cool off here when the sun goes down summertime.)

[w3wilkes]

16 hours ago, cgsheen1 said:

Ya, I know that area - raised in Idaho Falls, Grandad lived in SLC. I've driven past Layton 200 times... Do they still use Hill AFB?

Yes, Hill AFB is still active. The f16's have been replaced with f35's. I golf on a course that is just on the east side of Hill, man those planes are loud but very fun to watch. There's a gal that heads up the f35 demo team and what a gas to watch when she's out practicing!

I do know how hot you get in the summer. I've had flights delayed out of Phoenix because of heat making the air too thin for lift on the wings. I spend the winter in St George and sometimes I'll come down for golf in the summer because prices are low, can walk on any course and the courses are in great shape getting them ready for the winter (much the same as in Phoenix).

I have a good friend in Idaho Falls who's an old VW person. I pass through there every year on my way to Island Park for an annual fishing trip with some old work buddies.