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Fordson Major V8 conversion Cooling issues.

Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2017 2:49 pm
by clonbernedave
I have fitted a Perkins 540 V8 into my Fordson major and would like some advice on cooling .Please can anyone help .I have been told that the standard rad out of the major will cope is that true .I am not planning to pull with the tractor just road runs and vintage shows .If anyone knows of a company that will manufacture a rad if need be please again please let me know .

Thanks Dave

Re: Fordson Major V8 conversion Cooling issues.

Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2017 6:24 pm
by hair bear
Hi and welcome.
From memory the standard rad is the full width/height of the bonnet so unless you're thinking of one that is thicker I'm not sure what else will fit. The only things I can suggest is make sure the fan is well shrouded to give a ducted effect, maybe tweak the fan blades to give a bit more pull, or see if there's enough room in the front cowling to fit a Kenlowe type fan for some extra airflow. Just be sure if you go down the Kenlowe route that both fans are propelling the air in the same direction!

Re: Fordson Major V8 conversion Cooling issues.

Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2017 9:13 pm
by diggerjones
Just put some electric fans on it. I am not an expert. But I was slightly involved in tractor pulling in the 80's and I'm sure with the major my mate had. 6 cylinder turbo with electric fans

Re: Fordson Major V8 conversion Cooling issues.

Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2017 7:31 am
by Jeremy Rowland
Hi Dave and welcome to CMN :wave: I would have thought from what you have said that the standard radiator should be able to cope as the tractor is not being put to any hard work; I would give it a few short test runs around one of your fields and see how it copes, please bear in mind that I don't know if your tractor is fitted with a temp gauge, that's the way I would tackle this issue.

Jeremy

Re: Fordson Major V8 conversion Cooling issues.

Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2017 7:35 am
by essexpete
Am I right in thinking that you can have 2 or 4 blades fans on the Major?

Re: Fordson Major V8 conversion Cooling issues.

Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2017 1:41 pm
by Jeremy Rowland
essexpete wrote:Am I right in thinking that you can have 2 or 4 blades fans on the Major?



Pete it will depend upon the hole centres that are drilled and tapped in the engines water pump mounting as to what fan can be fitted.

Jeremy

Re: Fordson Major V8 conversion Cooling issues.

Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2017 1:39 am
by FOWLER MAN
Hi Dave,
It's usual to use the standard Fordson radiator for this conversion together with the Perkins six blade fan.
You will however need to fabricate a new radiator shroud to accommodate the Perkins fan as in the pics. below. This arrangement seems to cope OK.
Fred
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