Cooling System Update for 64 Dart

Professor Fate said
Just to be the devil's advocate, a fixed fan doesn't induce much parasitic loss when the car is at speed- the air is already moving so there isn't as much drag. It's basic, and about as dependable/reliable as you can get. Putting a shroud on it if you don't already have one is about all you need to do to cover anything your slant will ever throw at it. (In The Old Days Story: I once drove a slant about a hundred miles after I broke a fan belt. Never overheated. Highway speeds kept the fan/pump spinning fast enough to keep it cool.)
An electric fan also has parasitic loss when running due to the additional load on the alternator, especially if the fan is sized adequately; and then you may have to look at upsizing your alternator to handle the increased load, which means modifying the electrical system to safely handle the larger alternator...
But the electric has the advantage of running after shutdown if controlled properly, and being able to mount it as a pusher if clearances are limited...
I've run both, and each has it's pros and cons. The ballgame hasn't changed much, it's still a matter of adequate airflow. And it's debatable if the components are better or worse than 15 years ago- one word: China.
Why not just put a clutch drive fan on it if there's room with the slant? Least effort, best of both worlds.

I mean, I get it. There’s parasitic loss with everything running off the crank, no matter what. Water pump, alternator, fan, A/C, hydraulic power steering.

At full output, a 130 amp alternator only consumes around 5 hp, whereas a mechanical fan/clutch fan uses 14 hp or so when engaged. So let’s say I run contour fans that, as another commenter said, uses 40 amps when running, that’s only 1.5 hp, only when running. That is far better in my book.

It’ll also allow me to run A/C in the car when needed and not Be drawing even more power off the crank.

And, like I said, I really want to overbuild the system.

DrCharles said
Well, the OP did say that he wanted to overbuild the cooling system to handle anything he might want to do someday :)

I figured it would go without saying (apparently not) :rolleyes: that a stock Chrysler alternator from that era wouldn't have enough oomph, or big enough wiring. I designed my electrical system around a swapmeet CS-130 alternator that puts out well above the rated 105 amps (think it was 90-something even at idle). Including the wires. The Contour fans draw 40 amps with both on high speed.

Absolutely, I’ll be improving this Ben charging system. I will be rewiring the car with a Ron Francis Express kit, and will likely step up my alternator to something that will output plenty to keep up at idle.

What fans/shroud are you using? Any pics or diagrams would be helpful