Dumb hydrofan question

[Neodeuccio]

Ok, this is going to sound dumb to most of the guys out there who know their stuff, but what is a hydrofan? Is this just terminology for the radiator fan that I'm not familiar with, or is it something else entirely?

It's things like these that make me feel like such a noob...

 

[Nick M]

Instead of using an electric motor when the crankshaft can't drive the fan, a hydraulic circuit was devoloped to push the fan.

It works, besides cars, many pieces of heavy equipment use it, as the radiator is not inline with the engine.

 

[hottscennessey]

How about a hydro-turbo, hydraulic's for off the line boost, clutch engaged so that the turbine housing can take over for the top end. That would be cool

LOL sorry for the threadjack.

 

[conundrum07]

It works, besides cars, many pieces of heavy equipment use it, as the radiator is not inline with the engine.

Yup, the 1JZ runs it too. Apparently it flows a tremendous amount of air.

 

[starscream5000]

LOL, I never did understand exactly what a hydro fan was (but I also never researched it). I thought it was run using water pressure somehow (hydro), I get crazy ideas like that sometimes .

 

[Neodeuccio]

Instead of using an electric motor when the crankshaft can't drive the fan, a hydraulic circuit was devoloped to push the fan.

It works, besides cars, many pieces of heavy equipment use it, as the radiator is not inline with the engine.

Is this favorable to an electric fan set up?

I was planning on swapping to an electric fan this summer (electric water pump too, if I can get it to work), then wiring both to remain on after for a period (maybe 5 minutes or so) after the car is turned off. Throw in a decent turbo timer, and I'd be able to get the car to continue circulating and cooling for a bit even after I've locked it up and left it.

LOL, I never did understand exactly what a hydro fan was (but I also never researched it). I thought it was run using water pressure somehow (hydro), I get crazy ideas like that sometimes.

That's what I thought at first too, but I couldn't make sense of it.

 

[Nick M]

I wouldn't do it. Toyota did it on a few models, and then has gone away. I wouldn't do it because I already have a working fan clutch.

 

[starscream5000]

Here's something that I had posted earlier that would be a good way to go by keeping you fan clutch: You can rebuild you fan clutch for cheap as peice of mind, you need 3 50mL bottles of 3000wt. (I think) silicone differential gear lube for RC cars, make sure it's not the shock fluid (Mugen is a good brand to go with): http://cgi.ebay.com/Mugen-3000-Super...QQcmdZViewItem

MDC used to have this info on his website, by the link to doesn't work anymore. I printed it off a while back, but I don't have the paper on me so the actual weight of the silicone fluid may be off (it's either 3000 wt. or 5000 wt.)

 

[Neodeuccio]

Well, I was planning on replacing the stock clutched fan in favor of an electric for a few reasons. Mainly, though the clutch is fine, the fan shroud is all but missing. It's been broken so many times there's practically nothing left of it. Also, my fan is badly chipped and is certain to not be flowing what it should. And finally, removing the fan and clutch should free up a bit of power. It's probably just a little, but every bit helps.

Sure, I could replace the shroud and fan, and my cooling system would be fine, but by putting an electric fan in it cleans up the engine bay a bit and gives me another pony or two.

The only question is if I can find a fan that will fit and work that will flow more than the flexalite option. The flexalite for our cars flows like 2500 cfm (if i remember correctly), but I'd like to see if I couldn't get another thousand cfm just for the hell of it.

I think it was NashMan who said it best, "If it breaks, upgrade it!"

 

[jetjock]

It's 3000 cts and you need 50 ml: http://tinyurl.com/2hx4ev

 

[starscream5000]

Sorry JJ, got the quantities mixed up . So the link I posted is the correct brand and weight you are referring to in your link?

 

[Nick M]

You need a fan shroud for maximum cooling. It pulls air over the entire radiator.