Does a texas cooler make a real difference ? I now am using an a moss flex fan !

[Bob_Spidell]

My car acts similarly, particularly on cooler days. The temp goes up to 180-85, then drops abruptly down to like 160 as the thermostat opens and the cool water from the radiator rushes in. Temp then slowly climbs back to 180 and and stabilizes. I love watching it; it's just one of those things that makes driving an older car fun.

Often think about that when I drive the Healey; every movement of the oil pressure and coolant temps tells a story. I dislike cars with only idiot lights, and suspect even those with 'gauges' are either just disguised idiot lights or so heavily damped as to be almost useless (wouldn't want to scare the typical, mechanically clueless modern 'driver'). The utter simplicity of these gauges--no electricity required--makes them even more interesting to me.

 

[Keith_M]

Often think about that when I drive the Healey; every movement of the oil pressure and coolant temps tells a story. I dislike cars with only idiot lights, and suspect even those with 'gauges' are either just disguised idiot lights or so heavily damped as to be almost useless (wouldn't want to scare the typical, mechanically clueless modern 'driver'). The utter simplicity of these gauges--no electricity required--makes them even more interesting to me.

Exactly. That, combined with the mechanical 'feel' of the the steering, the transmission, the brakes, and the whole car, is what makes it for me. I am driving that car, not just pushing the accelerator and steering it.

 

[GregW]

every movement of the oil pressure and coolant temps tells a story.

I covered the gauges with black tape. They are horribly distracting to my texting.

 

[RAC68]

I appreciate how this thread has moved to cover a broader Cooling discussion but I did want to bring out Steve’s question.

In my opinion, a Texas Cooler or Flex Fan uses brute force to move air through the radiator. However, I believe a much less aggressive fan design will also work well if such complementing additions, such as a minimum fan shroud, are also added. A fan shroud allows the fan to capture the air and forcefully push it (or pull it) through the radiator and form a directional flow. Without even a minimal shroud created with 2 vertical 4” wide by length of radiator panels and attached using the radiator attachment bolts, most of the air pulled or pushed is leaked off the end of the fan and, because of the lack of directional air flow, contributes to the formation of the engine compartment high pressure block.

The down side of an aggressive fan is that they are loud at low or no speed and a Texas Cooler, unlike a Flex Fan, is actually an engine drag at high speed. An electric fan, though effective at low speed, places a blocking mass in the air flow at mid to high speed and many have found it necessary to operate the fan even when at speed.

So, is a Texas Cooler an effective fan? Yes, when it is your only alteration and No when even minimal shroud extension is installed.

Steve, I am glad you enjoyed the article. I learned of the DIY cap after writing the article and was thinking of including it in an update.
Ray (64BJ8P1)

 

[HealeyPassion]

Interesting thread....I'm no expert on cooling but I did talk to an "expert" custom radiator builder about a year ago and he said not to use a flex fan. He said that when they flex they actually are blocking air flow... and he said absolutely have a fan shroud that leaves the trailing edge of the fan exposed so the draft of the blade bleeds off... if it hits the shroud it will inhibit air flow. FWIW

Steve