I'm planning on changing the cooling fan for the summer.  What sizes are other people using, the T-bird vendors seem to be selling 16 inch, but it seems that there is enough clearance for a larger fan and I want all the cooling I can get.

Thanks,
Don

If you are running the stock shroud, 16 inch is about all you can shove in there, based on my 56 Bird.  Go with the 5 - 6 blade that is available if you want additional cooling.


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

I've searched several times, and can't find it. But Greenbird56, Steve Metzer, had a posting on using a Hayden fan clutch and a cut down larger fan. I couldn't go that route due to the blower, but I'd do it in a minute if I could. Since Tucson gets to 107 degrees, I'm inclined to believe him. Maybe that got lost in the last update, or I'm not searching properly, or he'll chime in with it.

For sure you want to run the shroud, and the repop lower one that goes out to the corner of the radiator.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

here is the set-up I finally came up with - without using an electric fan.



As shown, there is a Hayden #2797 Severe Duty fan clutch, a cut down '68 Pontiac 7 blade fan (said to be off a GTO) and a reduced diameter aluminum waterpump pulley. The Hayden clutch is a "bolt-on" fits perfect, the fan had to be (very carefully) cut down to fit into the 18 inch opening - does not just fall on there but an easy fix with a bandsaw and careful layout. The small pulley is off a 289/302 and speeds up the waterpump - as well as offsetting the rpm loss of the clutch slippage (80%-90% speed engaged - 20%-30% dis-engaged). I've had my best luck - using the big block Chrysler sized thermostat and restricting the bypass hose.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Back in the day I had a 6 blade fan and it still ran too hot. Once I went to an alternator I removed the 1 inch water pump spacer and after that it ran right at the thermostat.

  Vic Correnti

I think Vic's comment about removing the pump spacer is the right way to go - and if I re-engineer my set-up again (too many versions already) - I'm going to either remove the spacer or get a modified pump with the wider impeller.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Pretty sure the factory fan on my '57 Bird is 18".

Here is a link for a water pump baffle that is supposed to help, but I don't how good they work.
 http://www.larrystbird.com/?s=water+pump+baffle&post_type=product

  Vic Correnti

I installed one in my T-Bird years ago. Never really noticed any difference that I could tell.

To add my two cents worth. On my 55 T-bird,I used the 6 blade fan from a 1967 Mustang with air cond 351 W engine it fits into the shroud about a 1/4 inch, with about 3/8 of an inch clearance.  works great 

Bob