FSJ Jeep Radiator in Rambler

raser13 wrote: Might have to throw this three core radiator and taurus fan set up on my list of scavenger build items for my javelin. Should have plenty of room in a humpster nose. Ihave usrd the taurus fan in the past it's an amazing fan for a junkyard find. Last one cost me $10. Is there any reason not to use the original ford fan controller??

A Taurus fan wouldn't fit in mine because the motor hit the water pump so I had to use the twin Contour fans where the water pump came out in between them. Here's a picture of it. http://theamcforum.com/forum/topic58986_post544657.html#544657

Back at it yesterday! I had to lower the radiator about an inch, so had to drill new mounting holes. In this photos the oblong holes are the originals. I measured and drilled the top hole with no problem, but measured wrong for the bottom holes and drilled one to low, so had to drill another between the original and the wrong one...



Here's a pic of the Taurus fan on the Jeep radiator. The fan fits the taller core a lot better than the shorter Rambler radiator (see first pic in first post). I wouldn't have had to trim the shroud to fit over the top tank, but it's just too thick. Even it it was a two core I'd have had to alter the shroud a bit to fit closer. I know that limits the amount of air drawn through the radiator outside the diameter of the fan, but the fan does have a deep hub. The blades are about an inch away from the radiator when the hub only has about 1/8" clearance.



Below you can see how far the Taurus fan is above the surface of the radiator. It's about 3.5", and I trimmed at least 1/2" from the shroud to make it fit closer. In the above photo you can see where I trimmed the mounting tabs off the right side and drilled holes through the shroud for plastic through-the-radiator-core mounts.



In contrast, here are the aftermarket fans on the Jeep FSJ radiator. Good core coverage.



Note the lower hose nipple -- fans are appreciably thinner than the Taurus fan. This is a flatter angle than the Taurus fan photo -- the center of the Tarus fan is a bit taller than it appears.



Looks like LOADS of room with the thinner fans! Remember, the Taurus fan would have cleared the water pump pulley bolts by only 1/8".  One of these would have cleared it by an inch, and since the fan motors aren't in the center right in front of the water pump there is even more clearance in the center.



The next photo shows the engine wiring harness where it passes along the lower radiator support. It was attached to the edge of that "pan" under the radiator. I drilled holes in the pinch weld area of the lower support/crossmember to mount it. It could possibly catch on something in the road, but I have it mounted pretty tight. As long as my zip ties don't come loose I think I'm okay. If I happen to hit anything that tall in the road I'll have to get out an check. I might better put a couple extra zip ties in the glove box just in case... though I doubt I'll need them.



The final photo! It's hard to see, but this is why I couldn't move the radiator any further forward... well, that and the supports. The vertical fins near the bottom is the transmission cooler. It's right up against the hood latch support and the AC condensor. The grille is concave on the 63. In a 64 I could have moved the trans cooler in front of the latch. But then I'd have had to cut the supports and welding in new ones just in front of the old. Hmm.. that would probably affect the hood latch location, so not as good/easy and idea as it sounds...



All that's left to do is to connect the fan controller. As I said earlier, I'm just going to connect one fan for now to the existing adjustable controller. I have a second controller to install for the other fan so I can stage them so both don't come on at once. Only one will be wired to come on whenever the AC is turned on.


Edited by farna - Jul/20/2017 at 7:14am

You might consider a trianry switch Frank. They work perfect for both a/c and fan control. Take a look at this -  http://www.vintageair.com/DownloadsSection/Quick%20Reference%20Wiring%20Diagrams/24678-VUS%20Trinary%20Safety%20Switch%20Wiring%20Diagram.pdf

Just a quick follow-up...

The twin 12" fans work great... as long as it's not much over 90 degrees outside with the AC on. Works fine as long as car is moving, but drop under 35 mph for any length of time and temp starts to creep up with AC on. Turn the AC off and everything is just fine. Between stop lights takes a long time for temp to creep up, but get stuck in traffic for over 15-20 minutes and the AC has to go! I have the fans on individual controllers so that one comes on about 5 degrees after the other. The first one to come on is also wired into the stock fan wiring, so it comes on and stays on when the AC is on. Adjusting the temp they come on lower only buys me another 5 minutes or so before AC has to be turned off in traffic. I also tried an 8" pusher fan in front in addition to the pair of 12" fans (had an 8" on hand), which helped -- buys another 15 minutes or so before AC has to be turned off. I considered a second 8" in front (no room for anything bigger), but will be pulling the Amazon sourced fans and installing a Contour twin setup this spring/summer.  I have the 8" on a toggle switch and just turn it on if it looks like I'm going to be in traffic for a while. Not sure a second 8" would help all that much due to where I would have to place it, and pushers don't work as well as pullers. Will connect the Contour fans the same way I have the Amazon fans connected, won't use the two speed resistor that the Contour has in the shroud.


Edited by farna - Jul/09/2023 at 9:04am