Re: [ihc] Postal 800 fan and gas tank

[bearbvd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Greg Hermann)]

At 6:50 PM 2/18/04, David Bongo wrote:
>OK, guys.  Tom Mandera has made a fabulous point about the electric fan
>just robbing power from the engine via the alternator, so any gains
>would be minimal.  I'd also have to look into replacing the alernator at
>that point with a heavier-duty one, which makes this probably not worth
>pursuing too intently.
>
>But I did remember something from my RHD Cherokee.  It has 2 fans.  On
>the left side (i.e. "normal" driver's side) you have a typical
>mechanical fan.  On the right side you have an electric.  I suppose the
>questions to ask are: Can a similar setup be used in an 800?  If so,
>would it be advisable for my application?

The question would be WHY !! ?? IIRC, the bolt patter on the fan hub (of
the water pump) for the 4's is identical to that for the V-8's--so you have
a whole world of IH fan options out there. A 5 or 6 blade Loadstar fan
might be a bit much, but a thermal-clutched fan from a Scout or T'all might
well be about perfect for your application (lots of low speed and idling).
I have no clue how big a fan you could run on a four without getting into
clearance issues to things like radiator hoses, so it would be wise to
check that out before you acquire something.

HOWEVER--I believe that the fan hub bolt pattern is drilled to an SAE
standard. SO--a somewhat smaller clutched fan, robbed from whatever other
kind of vehicle ought to bolt right up !! I do know that I have used a
'standard' (likely a Mr. Gasket part) fan spacer on an IH SV engine before
with NO trouble whatever.

Best place to spend your time and effort, in my book , would be in
fabricating a SHROUD for whatever size fan you decide to use !! A shroud
will simply do FAR more for your cooling--PARTICULARLY in your particular
application, and do it at virtually ZERO cost in parasitic horsepower--than
ANYTHING ELSE you could do !!

Typical electric fans simply do not move very much air !! Best to spend
your money and effort on something more productive.

Greg
>
>As for the gas tank, I've pretty much decided to use the Ford tank
>(Apparently from an F-series pickup - I did find one thread on the
>Bulletin about it) in conjunction with the existing 10-gallon tank.  For
>a total of about 33 gallons.  In the other tank location, I'm looking
>into having John fabricate a tool box, like you can find on some 80's.
>(Another thing I discovered searching the Bulletin.)  Having a place to
>put my tire repair kit, pump, jack, etc. would be handy.  And it should
>be minimal work.
>
>Dave