Re: fan's effect on water pump?

["Dean W. Cains" <dwc@domain.elided>]

Hi Andrew:

I thought about the same question when I pulled the fan off my Spider's 
water pump about a year ago and converted to electric.  I immediately 
thought to run the belt much looser, which I have been able to get away 
with, and which should lessen the lateral loading on not only the water 
pump's bearings, but those on the alternator, too.  I'd be willing to bet 
that it took much more torque to turn just the fan (if it could somehow be 
isolated) than it did to turn the pump alone.  Also, consider the axial 
loading placed on the water pump's bearings as the fan tries to pull itself 
towards the radiator, which is eliminated by removing the fan.

Regards,

Dean W. Cains
Lutz, FL
'74 Spider Veloce


At 01:36 PM 2/19/2002, you wrote:
>Date: Tue, 19 Feb 2002 11:30:59 -0500
>From: "Watry, Andrew (LNG-MBC)" <Andrew.Watry@domain.elided>
>Subject: fan's effect on water pump?
>
>In the ongoing discussion of horsepower mods for four-cylinder cars, it was
>mentioned that the pump-driven fan, in addition to consuming horsepower, was
>a strain on the water pump. Why is that?  It's not because of the fan belt,
>because with a stock water pump, you have to use the belt to drive the pump
>regardless of whether you have a fan.  Does the air blast on the fan's
>blades exert undue pressure on the water pump bearings or seals?
>
>I can imagine if you use an aftermarket electric water pump you no longer
>need a fan belt, or the stock water pump for that matter.
>
>Andrew Watry
>Berlina Register
>1973 rubber-bumper maroon Berlina for sale ($1500ish), if anyone's
>interested

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