Electric fans, fog lights, silly questions...

[mruane_cnet]

Just curious, but does anyone run any sort of electric cooling fan to
keep some air circulating over their motors in traffic?
I know space is tight, but there are some 120mm 12v computer fans
that push over 100 CFM, and 172mm fans that output over 200CFM.
Sorry if this question is a bit ridiculous, but I'm still getting a
hang of this air-cooled motor thing. And though an oil cooler would
probably be a better idea, I'm wondering if anyone has investigated
other avenues for a moderate improvement in under-hood temps.
Also, what about fog lights? I haven't seen much in the archives in
regards to these, but as my headlights are already somewhat dim, I'm
wondering if fog lights would draw too much current? I'm working on
high-output LEDs to replace the rear brakes and possibly the addition
of another, higher, brake light... Just because I'd like to maximize
awareness on the road (force of habit from motorcycles I guess, not
feeling tremendously safe in these little things. That and on my bike
I ride with my high-beams on during the day to let people know I'm
around, and thinking that some decent fog lights might do the same on
the 600).
Please ignore me if these questions seem silly :)
thanks
-mike

[jpro8071]

Hi Mike,
from what I can tell the fan only really does any good when you are at an idle or slow speeds. I would imagine there is enough air coming in the grill to cool things when you are moving.
(Caveat to everyone - remove/modify at your own risk.)
At Bonneville we run an electric fan. I've driven the car on the street and it's been fine, but haven't done much stop and go traffic. One of the other fellows uses the stock fan, but uses an electric motor to turn it - reduces the pull on the crank.
Anyone know how much CFM the current fan is designed to move? Maybe it's documented in one of the manuals . . .
-Eric

--- In
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
, "mruane_cnet" wrote:
> Just curious, but does anyone run any sort of electric cooling fan to
> keep some air circulating over their motors in traffic?
> I know space is tight, but there are some 120mm 12v computer fans
> that push over 100 CFM, and 172mm fans that output over 200CFM.
> Sorry if this question is a bit ridiculous, but I'm still getting a
> hang of this air-cooled motor thing. And though an oil cooler would
> probably be a better idea, I'm wondering if anyone has investigated
> other avenues for a moderate improvement in under-hood temps.
> Also, what about fog lights? I haven't seen much in the archives in
> regards to these, but as my headlights are already somewhat dim, I'm
> wondering if fog lights would draw too much current? I'm working on
> high-output LEDs to replace the rear brakes and possibly the addition
> of another, higher, brake light... Just because I'd like to maximize
> awareness on the road (force of habit from motorcycles I guess, not
> feeling tremendously safe in these little things. That and on my bike
> I ride with my high-beams on during the day to let people know I'm
> around, and thinking that some decent fog lights might do the same on
> the 600).
> Please ignore me if these questions seem silly :)
> thanks
> -mike

[mruane_cnet]

Thanks for the input Eric, here in the CA Bay Area stop & go traffic
is not a rare sight, so I would like to do my best to keep the car
happy during these moments. An oil cooler is a bit more of a time
investment than I think is required at the moment, but computer fans
and homemade brackets are cheap :)
I'll experiment with some high power computer fans and temperature
monitors when I have a chance, and report my findings.
thanks
-mike

[dealadayray]

Hi Mike;
It sounds like a lot of work. Why not fix a motor to the existing fan. A
computer fan will not have the volume (CFM) necessary to do the job. I have
tried both the Oil coolers and the Fan cooling systems. I used a cylinder
Head (under sparkplug sender Ala VW) with a cylinder head temp gauge to keep
tabs on the engine at work for both Oil and Fan systems. Additionally I
taped into the drain plug and used a 0 to 300 liquid temp gauge for the oil.
The Test was for several different driving conditions. Free way (65+ MPH)
and city bumper to bumper traffic. Both kept the cylinders at roughly 350
degrees. But the oil cooler did a better job of keeping the oil cool in
traffic and really showed when I came to a full stop after leaving the
freeway. Further, after deciding the Oil Cooler was the way to go I
monitored the engine for the next 45K miles. Pulling the engine at 10K mile
periods measuring and checking for wear.
With daily driving I had very little if any tar build up. I had used only
used engine parts when I started the project. Although I did use a new cam
chain, had a valve job done and ensured the piston to cylinder set was
correct and with in specks. Everything else was as pulled from the engine.
Upon pulling the engine 3 times after the initial reassembly, I found the
Cam Chain still stretched, the bearing on the transmission shaft connected
to the clutch also showed some wear and the keeper ring for that bearing
needed replacing after 20K miles. At 45K miles the Cam Chain needed to be
replaced. But no other parts needed to be replaced and I drove it every day
to work, no less than 20 miles round trip, normally at freeway speeds and I
would say I was aggressive on the road.
On the down side I really had to watch the hoses routing the engine oil to
the filter and cooling coils in front. On the plus side, I added almost
another quart of oil to the system, used a PH8A filter ($2.00 on Sale) and
had a lot of fun driving it.
I am not saying Honda did not do a great job of putting this engine
together, but, they used all new parts. And with new parts this engine
needs just what it came with. However, cooking oil leaves a tar like
substance on the internal parts of the engine, and every Honda 600 engine I
have pulled apart that didn't have a oil cooler on it, had tar, a lot of tar
from this engine cooking the oil to a temp. high enough to make tar and
cause parts to wear.
Bill