Notes on fans, radiator and condensor fit.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Looks like the OEM fan shroud is custom fit for the OEM radiator. Every little bump and curve has been accounted for to give an air tight fit between them. I have Special T fans and have a foam seal on it shroud to get the same air tight fit. Not sure if those fans came with that foam or if I did it when I installed them 5 years ago.

There is a large gap between the radiator and condenser (about a 1/2 inch). So the fit is not air tight and the car shrouding makes no attempt to make it air tight. I guess that is designed to provide more engine cooling than AC cooling.

When installing the radiator, you can put some cardboard over the front radiator surface to help prevent hitting those studs on the condensor. You don't want to put anything over the studs since you need to use those to hold the radiator as you get it installed. The cardboard can then be slid out later.

The fittings on the AC pipes are very close to touching the radiator. May want to put some rubber between those just in case.

Just wondering, do other low power fans use the OEM fan shroud? I'm would like to do testing of other fans.

[WelmoedJ]

As far as I know, only Toby and Ed (DMCEU) use the original shroud.
I have the low current fans from DMCEU.
They are now using screws for fitting them into the shroud, but the same glue used for fitting windows.

Hope this helps.

Welmoed.

[SS Spoiler]

I've got a three core radiator with Toby's fans and no shroud. Cools fine. Maybe it helps that I live in Montana!

[Chris4099]

I've got a three core radiator with Toby's fans and no shroud. Cools fine. Maybe it helps that I live in Montana!

Toby's first gen of radiator fans had no shroud. He used is own custom brackets to mount the fans to the radiator. However, after he started DMC-NW, DMCH made him change it because they had just reproduced original style shrouds. So he adapted the modern fan/motors to the original shroud and that's now what you get from DPNW.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Toby's first gen of radiator fans had no shroud. He used is own custom brackets to mount the fans to the radiator. However, after he started DMC-NW, DMCH made him change it because they had just reproduced original style shrouds. So he adapted the modern fan/motors to the original shroud and that's now what you get from DPNW.

Did not know DMCH has reproduced the shrouds. Is it exactly like the original?

[Chris4099]

I'm not sure how close they are to the original. I haven't seen one yet. I simply knew about this after asking Toby why he changed his fans to work with the existing shrouds one day during a tech session. I preferred the shroud-less design. Since the fans were powerful enough, they could pull enough air over the radiator to keep it cool without the shroud. And without the shroud, you had better cooling while driving down the road as it wasn't trying to funnel the air through a smaller outlet. Regardless, it seems that either way works fine even in extreme conditions.

[LEVY]

You really need those shrouds, specially if the car is not moving.

The fans may be very strong but the air will find the easier way to get to the fans, and that is around the radiator!


LEVY



I'm not sure how close they are to the original. I haven't seen one yet. I simply knew about this after asking Toby why he changed his fans to work with the existing shrouds one day during a tech session. I preferred the shroud-less design. Since the fans were powerful enough, they could pull enough air over the radiator to keep it cool without the shroud. And without the shroud, you had better cooling while driving down the road as it wasn't trying to funnel the air through a smaller outlet. Regardless, it seems that either way works fine even in extreme conditions.

[dmc6960]

Toby's first gen of radiator fans had no shroud. He used is own custom brackets to mount the fans to the radiator. However, after he started DMC-NW, DMCH made him change it because they had just reproduced original style shrouds. So he adapted the modern fan/motors to the original shroud and that's now what you get from DPNW.

I currently have Toby's first-gen fans. They are of an S-blade design which appears to be from Flex-A-Lite. The picture on his website now has strait blade fans, and a MUCH higher CFM rating than anything Flex-A-Lite ever made. I've had no issue with cooling in the 6 years I've had them installed, but I'm still planning an upgrade down the road to Toby's new fans with higher CFM rating and bringing my old shroud back into service. I'll probably do this at the same time I swap out Hervey's tube-and-fin AC condenser with a new generic parallel-flow condenser.

[DMCMW Dave]

Did not know DMCH has reproduced the shrouds. Is it exactly like the original?

They are the original. The information on reproduction is wrong.

[Chris4099]

You really need those shrouds, specially if the car is not moving.

The fans may be very strong but the air will find the easier way to get to the fans, and that is around the radiator!


LEVY
That was my concern at first too, but it hasn't appeared to be an issue. I remember when Toby was first testing the fans before selling them (he was showing them off at a PNDC tech session) and he mentioned he had a few test users in AZ as well. No overheating there or on mine since I got them. They are close enough to the radiator that they pull more then enough air across it to keep the engine cool. Granted they aren't as efficient as they could be with a shroud, but with the volume of air they pull, they are still very functional. Not that it matters much now since that version is no longer available. :smile:

[Chris4099]

They are the original. The information on reproduction is wrong.

I must have misheard Toby then. I do remember him saying DMCH had a whole bunch of them. Maybe my mind just filled in an old memory blank with "reproduction".

[Bitsyncmaster]

Mounted my fans onto the new EU radiator. I wish I had done a test mount before I put them in. My special T fan shroud edges and in the center sit flush. The OEM shroud in the center has a lot of additional clearance. So the ends are not a problem because I put foam around the ends and top and bottom but the center I did not put foam on so you have to be sure it does not hit the radiator. I added a center bolt on the bottom but did not tighten it all the way for fear the shroud would hit the radiator fins and tubes.

Also the special T fan shroud is not long enough to use all the radiator length.

I may pull it out and see if I can mount the low current fan motors into the OEM shroud.

[Bitsyncmaster]

After I posted the last post, I took some photos to help explain. Note how the OEM has built the shroud to pull air from all the radiator.

I can't mount my low power fans onto the OEM shroud. Dave S had said something of new different fan motors. Wonder if those are lower power than the OEM motors. The OEM fan motors are 3.0" round.

[WelmoedJ]

Seems John has changes the metal shrouds.
When I was at his in 2008 he showed me his new fans and shroud.
At DCS Gettysburg he also had that setup.

Not sure though if he showed the fans/shroud on an original radiator or on one of his brass or aluminum ones.

I have the EU fans mounted in my original (DMC factory) shroud on an aluminum EU radiator.
That setup covers the entire radiator.
The fan house is mounted using that sticky window glue (sorry, forgot the exact name you use for it).

Dave, I hope this helps.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Seems John has changes the metal shrouds.
When I was at his in 2008 he showed me his new fans and shroud.
At DCS Gettysburg he also had that setup.

Not sure though if he showed the fans/shroud on an original radiator or on one of his brass or aluminum ones.

I have the EU fans mounted in my original (DMC factory) shroud on an aluminum EU radiator.
That setup covers the entire radiator.
The fan house is mounted using that sticky window glue (sorry, forgot the exact name you use for it).

Dave, I hope this helps.

My Special T fans are about 5 years old. I just did not notice the problem when I first installed them. It still works but I'm thinking of finding new fan motors and going back with the OEM shroud. Since I have my fan CFM test setup, I can compare CFM and fan currents.

[dmc6960]

My Special T fans are about 5 years old. I just did not notice the problem when I first installed them. It still works but I'm thinking of finding new fan motors and going back with the OEM shroud. Since I have my fan CFM test setup, I can compare CFM and fan currents.

Well if you do that then get Toby's fans from DMCNW. They fit in the stock shroud and he lists a very high CFM rating for them.

[1batt4u]

I just bought and received specialtauto's A/C condensor, 4 bolts ar bent to poor shipping, no protective foam or anything!

It has 2 caps where the hoses go. I started to unscrew the caps and made a noise as some gas is coming out. Is that normal?? When I install everything I take the caps out and emptys whatever was in there???

[Bitsyncmaster]

I just bought and received specialtauto's A/C condensor, 4 bolts ar bent to poor shipping, no protective foam or anything!

It has 2 caps where the hoses go. I started to unscrew the caps and made a noise as some gas is coming out. Is that normal?? When I install everything I take the caps out and emptys whatever was in there???

Probably just a pressure difference from when it was made. At least you know there are no leaks.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Trying to pull the OEM fan off the motor shaft. I removed the "C" clip but the fan won't come off. I tried a hammer while supporting the back of the fan. Any ideas.

I got a couple motors I want to play with.

[LEVY]

I have a complete fan/shroud assembly that I bought from another member, let me play with one of the fans and I let you know my findings.

I had a new three row radiator made, the OEM fan shroud fits like a glove.

LEVY


Trying to pull the OEM fan off the motor shaft. I removed the "C" clip but the fan won't come off. I tried a hammer while supporting the back of the fan. Any ideas.

I got a couple motors I want to play with.

[LEVY]

Bad luck!

I removed the "C" clamp on both fans and both of the fans came right off, however the fan have a metalic insert that in your case may have some rust. If you happen to have some 30 years old brake fluid, apply some and let it rest overnight. If you don't, penetrating oil should do it.

LEVY

[Bitsyncmaster]

Bad luck!

I removed the "C" clamp on both fans and both of the fans came right off, however the fan have a metalic insert that in your case may have some rust. If you happen to have some 30 years old brake fluid, apply some and let it rest overnight. If you don't, penetrating oil should do it.

LEVY

I pulled the motor apart so I could pound on it better in the vice. It ended up pressing that hex metal insert out of the fan. Maybe I can heat it now to get it off the shaft. The motor is trashed. The OEM motor is a permanent magnet type. The fan blade is 10.75" dia.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Finished my EU new radiator install. Car warmed up normally and thermostat opened a little above first line (normal) then cooled down way below first line.

I installed studs on the bottom of the new RAD. It had blocks with holes taped for 10 mm bolt. But I prefer using a stud to get the full thread used. I cut a 40 mm long bolt but that is just a little to short. I wanted to see a few threads above the nut but it sits flush with the nut.

Really a pain getting those horn brackets and braces in since you can't see the bolt holes on top but got them in.

Still thinking about building new fans someday using the OEM shroud. I have some motors but need to machine a shaft extension and do some testing. I've been reading up on fan blade design.

[jawn101]

Finished my EU new radiator install. Car warmed up normally and thermostat opened a little above first line (normal) then cooled down way below first line.

Is the cooling to below the first line a marked improvement for your car? Just curious.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Is the cooling to below the first line a marked improvement for your car? Just curious.

That was not normal but I think it was still pushing some air out of the radiator. After that first warmup and cool down, I had to add some more water. I have put in close to the 2.9 gal give or take.

[1batt4u]

Here is my Aluminum radiator From Ed, Delorean.eu with John Hervey's A/C condensor!

Is that how they align up??

13182

[1batt4u]

Looks correct?? Just want to be sure!!

[Bitsyncmaster]

Drove to a tech session this weekend. About 300 mile round trip and temp gauge always stayed right around the first line (1/4 mark). It was not very hot outside but I ran the AC going up there and had a lot of stop lights.

I did see a car with Toby's fans up on the lift and like what I saw. I like the use of the original shroud and the close fit of the fan blade. I think I will buy a set even though John's fans seem to work OK.

[1batt4u]

I recently bought a set of fans from Toby!!