Hello
I am new to the forum so I don't know if this topic has been previously discussed. I have a 1962 Ford C-1000 fire truck with a 534 gas engine in it. My question is has anyone ever heard of putting a thermostaticly controlled clutch fan on one of these old engines? I know that it wouldn't make a huge difference in efficency, but it couldn't hurt. Is there any other upgrades/modifications that could be done to help the truck run better?

 

Ford offered a variable speed 6 blade fan for the 401 & 477 engines. It would work on a 534, but where would one find it today?

C1TE-8A629-A .. Fan ~ Variable Speed - 6 blade, 21" in diameter.

 

Thanks for the info. Do you happen to know what years this was offered by chance? Also, do you think that an electric fan could be used and still get adequit airflow? I know that on a pickup that electric fans can be used more efficently if they are installed properly. But on this size truck would that be the case? Or am I just trying to over complicate things?

 

Well, what do you figure a fan clutch saves in gas? 5%? 10%?

What you getting, 4 mpg? 10% increase on 4% won't even show unless you have a dyno to test.

Reality sucks sometimes.

 

If this engine is still in the fire truck and it is still being used to fight fires (heck, even if it's not) you want every bit of air flow you can get through the radiator. Especially when you're moving slow or stationary. I'd leave the fixed fan in place.

Is it still an active fire truck?

 

6 blade variable speed fan offered beginning in 1961.

 

The truck is no longer in use as a fire truck in front line service. It is used in parades, memorial services, and emergency trips for ice cream. With that said, I have responded the truck to calls before as a support vehicle (though not on a regular basis). My main goal would be to get faster warm up time and better running in the colder weather. It would be nice to get better mileage, and I will take whatever I can get. However, once I saw the numbers in front of me, I realize that reality does suck at times.

P.S. Thanks for the info NumberDummy