Re: alfa-digest V8 #59 - Radiator fans and heating on hills.

[AlfaNeely@domain.elided]

       On my 84 Spider race car, I removed to stock fan and the air 
conditioning condenser from in front of the radiator.  I then made up new 
mounts to put the stock air conditioning fan back in place in front of the 
radiator.  I wired it direct with a toggle switch (and a fuse) so I can turn 
it on if the temperature starts to worry me during a race or on the cool down 
lap.  And I can leave it on to cool the engine back in the pits.
       As for a spider overheating when going up hill, I can say that my race 
car wants to run at 212 all the time on the track.  It runs at 180 when I am 
not pushing it hard.  That is, it runs 180 when not racing.  So how long and 
steep is that hill anyway?
       As someone mentioned, I would check the valve in the bypass hose.  
Replacement hoses do not come with them and ignorant mechanics can just toss 
out the old hose without transplanting the brass valve to the new hose.
       Inexpensive speed tricks for the Bosch Spider?  Open up the exhaust 
with a 74 cast iron manifold and free flowing pipes.  Other than that, make 
sure the engine is in top shape and tuned up.  The Bosch spider will run just 
fine with no modifications.  The Motronic engine is even stronger.

Ciao,
Russ Neely
Oklahoma City


In a message dated 09/18/2001 10:41:39 PM Central Daylight Time, 
owner-alfa-digest@domain.elided writes:

> 5) If the radiator/fan shroud is broken anyway, should I replace it, or just
> pull the radiator, install an electric pusher fan, and be happy with the
> additional power?
>     Go electric if you pull the a/c; there's no room for a pusher electric
> fan if you still have the a/c radiator in front of the engine one.
> Otherwise, stay stock.  Or, if you do find out how to go electric with the
> a/c radiator still in place, let me know!
> 
> 6) Any other suggestions for INEXPENSIVE things I can do to this car to make
> it go faster easily?
>     Pass.
> 
> Good luck!
> 
> Jon
> '86 Spider Veloce
> '91 164
> Edmonds, WA

--
to be removed from alfa, see /bin/digest-subs.cgi
or email "unsubscribe alfa" to majordomo@domain.elided