<VV> testing Tom's cooling system (Fastvairs?)

[RoboMan91324 at aol.com]

Crawford,

Why does this subject need to be moved to Fastvairs?  It is my understanding 
that VV was meant to include all topics regarding Corvairs including 
technical, historical, cosmetic, etc. which would include such things as stock vs. 
electric fan cooling.  Fastvairs was created to exclude non racing topics.  VV was 
not created to exclude performance topics racing or otherwise.  The Fastvairs 
guys just want a place that excludes the more mundane topics.  They don't 
have the right or desire (I hope) to exclude performance related topics from the 
rest of us.  Fastvairs is a subset of VV not the opposite.  

In addition, it is a matter of opinion whether or not an electric fan is a 
racing only item.  If and when a valid test is performed and it is determined 
that the electric fan is an improvement or at least an acceptable replacement 
for the stock fan, the technology may benefit more than just the racing cars.  
Among others, these benefits may include ...

1.  The electric fan will likely use less horsepower and become an economy 
option.  With gasoline predicted to exceed $3 a gallon here in CA by the end of 
the year, that is a very good thing.  

2.  Yes, throwing fan belts is more likely in a racing situation but not 
exclusively so.  I am not alone in the enjoyment of getting on the accelerator on 
occasion.  In theory, one aggressive shift is just as likely to throw a belt 
as any single shift in a racing situation.

3.  With our Corvairs getting up there in years, the heat cycling on the 
parts, especially the heads, may be pushing valve seats etc. to the hairy edge of 
their lifespan. If after tests are done, the electric fan is proven to be 
superior for cooling, it may lengthen the life of critical parts even in normal 
use.

These are all non-racing benefits which may be realized from the use of an 
electric fan.

The "casual Corvair user" can make up his or her own mind about the opinions 
expressed here on VV including the electric fan vs stock fan, different sized 
tires, dino oil vs. synthetic, cold rocker adjustment vs running adjustment, 
EM vs LM and all the other topics that elicit multiple opinions.  

Even if the electric fan proves to be a racing only issue, it still belongs 
on VV, IMHO.  

Doc

PS:  I agree in general that the stock setup has proved itself to be more 
than acceptable and that the electric fan may not be a good replacement for all 
(if any) uses.  However, I am keeping an open mind and hope that the electric 
fan becomes a viable option.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In a message dated 8/10/2005 12:55:31 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
virtualvairs-request at corvair.org writes:
Message: 3
Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2005 13:55:13 -0500
From: "Crawford Rose" <crawfordrose at msn.com>
Subject: Re: <VV> testing Tom's cooling system
To: <BobHelt at aol.com>, "virtualvairs" <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Message-ID: <BAY106-DAV2273518FCF50B0EE3ED69D6BA0 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="iso-8859-1"

Bob, 19 years of Corvairing; Your assertions regarding the scientific method 
on the technical side are fine but that discussion is supposed to be on 
Fastvairs.  The casual Corvair user is led to believe that the stock system is 
somehow defective while it is not, that an electric fan would be superior, etc., 
and, in my opinion, the magnesium fan is very sufficient for street and highway 
use.  The comments about the stock fan are constantly negative. This debate 
about flipping fanbelts does go back to 1960, however, the decades long debate 
about testing a replacement system doesn't belong on Virtual Vairs, in my 
opinion. It's a racing issue only.  If people can't seem to afford to repair their 
cars to stock specs, I don't foresee this thread being of much use. What does 
it have to do with maintaining and preserving a corvair?  If this is the new 
purpose of VV, to explore new technologies, I'd rather see discussions of Honda 
VTEC transplants (160 hp DIN) or electric hybrids tha!
n Tom's electric fan which you have already assessed to be mathematically 
insufficient.  The controversy will go on forever...
Crawford