1971 Dodge Charger SE Engine Fan Advice

[71SandbugCharger]

Hello - I received two fans with my '71 SE ('68 383 Engine) and I need some advice.

Fan one (left in picture) has the clutch (not attached) and is marked with these numbers:
912773
SCM65
DD
CD
AAH
L65

Fan two (right in picture) has this marking:
P15198

Engine chosen fan is going on is a '68 383 with an Edelbrock Thunder Series AVS Carb, Edelbrock Performer 383 Intake Manifold, and I haven't bought the radiator, shroud or headers.

Which one should I keep and which should I sell?
Or, should I sell both and get a radiator with the fans built in?

Thanks!

 

[bbcharger71]

Personally, I would sell them both and get an electric fan. A mechanical fan will only spin as fast as the engine is spinning. That means you have a higher chance of overheating in traffic when the engine is at idle, plus it drain power from the engine. With an electric, the fan will only turn on as needed. It will free up horsepower, give you faster warm ups, faster cool downs, and more consistent engine temps.

 

[71SandbugCharger]

Thanks! This is why I come here for answers! Soon up for sale, two fan blades! Oh yea, some interior side trim and other parts too

 

[2323]

Go back with the stock setup, ive tried everything, stock with shroud works best.

 

[poly3521]

If your running a 22", go with the direct drive, but a 26" either or. Electrics don't always help in traffic. My friend's 42 Dodge sedan delivery has a 318 and a clutch fan. He almost cooked it going to Carlisle 2 years ago. Bogs it down alittle, but he's got peace of mind and lower coolant temps.

 

[Bruzilla]

This subject has come up a lot over the years, and electric fans seem like the logical choice but often aren't. Engine cooling is based on getting the right amount of air flow and getting it to the right places. This means you need the combination of the right fan and the right ducting to get the air where it needs to go.

I think the problem with electric fans is our cars weren't designed to work with them, so there's always a trade-off in the amount of air being drawn through the radiator and the amount of air being directed on the engine. The stock fan and shroud are designed to move the maximum amount of air to the right places, but with an electric you usually have to install it in such a way that either the radiator flow or engine flow are going to be compromised. This is why some guys have tremendous results with electrics, and others have major problems. Unfortunately I don't think there's enough data out there to be able to say a specific model of electric fan will work with a particular body style or engine setup, or even the best locations for mounting.

All that said, I would go with the six-bladed fan and the correct shroud.

 

[Dennis H]

Ma Mopar knew what she was doing. Factory thermal fan, shroud, 180 Superstat, green coolant. Mopars stayed cool LONG before there was electric fans, orange coolant or aluminum radiators. I'll sit in Reno Parade traffic at 107 degrees. With the air on. Ma knew.

 

[charger360]

I run a clutch fan my car never runs hot. the other thing is our stock electrical systems were never made to put out that extra power. do what you want but stock works if you are set up right.

 

[UKPlymouth]

I'm with Dennis. My fan clutch started failing recently and the car got too hot, but with the clutch operating correctly and 180 stat, no problems. Clutch fan all the way, just get a new clutch and be done, about $45

 

[HT413]

Clutch fan. The fixed fan wastes horse power and the electric fans are a complete waste of money

 

[sleepar]

A factory flex fan is hard to come by.... the clutch is the one to run... if you go electric you will need to up grade the wireing and there has been many who went back to the viscous after electrical because of issues with the wire keep the viscous till you finish the electric fan deal it can be overkill that flex is a good fan not the same as a regular fixed blade....

- - - Updated - - -

I'm with Dennis. My fan clutch started failing recently and the car got too hot, but with the clutch operating correctly and 180 stat, no problems. Clutch fan all the way, just get a new clutch and be done, about $45

I've had one back ordered at summit for 6 months and there $120 for fan and clutch ?