Is an Electric fan conversion worth it? My testing procedure

[wkumtrider]

pounsfos, does your electric fan run continuously or is it connected to a thermostat that kicks it off and on? Did you wire it directly to the battery post or did you tap in to something else? It would be helpful if someone could provide some wiring info.

Thanks!

[ecoTruck]

I am planning to use a thermostat switch to run the fan automatically, I've found some pretty cheap fan controls (jegs and summit racing) that either have a probe that pushes in between the radiator fins or a sensor that threads in. I'm thinking a thread in sensor would be better as its in direct contact with coolant, but I don't know where I would put it... guess I'll have to take a close look for somewhere to thread in the sensor. I've found this kit that seems pretty cheap and comes with 2 14" electric fans and the wiring/temp switch. Not sure about the quality of the kit though, I'm not familiar with the brands. The kit is on amazon.com PROCOMP DUAL 14" INCH ELECTRIC FAN W/ DERALE THERMOSTAT 16739
My radiator core is about 17x28" but I think if I make some sort of shroud the 2 14s could work pretty well.
If anybody has any suggestions as to a better fan set up I'd love to hear them.

[TheEnemy]

I picked up an electric fan out of a ford Taurus/mercury sable from a junk yard for $20. The Off road groups swear by them as being able to move more than enough air that they rarely have to go to high. Then I have a thermostat from summit on order with the fit between the fins format.

The Taurus fan is a 2 speed fan, usually low will get the job done. I am planning on running the thermostat to the low normally with a manual override switch off of the ignition circuit to give me high if I need it through a relay that will bypass the temperature sensor control circuit. The only time I anticipate needing to go to high though is when I have it bogged down and stuck with a heavy load on the engine and no movement.

[ecoTruck]

Hey TheEnemy, would you happen to know the dimensions of the taurus fan shroud??
Thanks

[TheEnemy]

One (from a V6 sable I think) measures 20X17 with a 17" fan, the other two from a Taurus measures 24X16 with a 16" fan.

Some junk yards like a U pull and pay let you go in and you can measure fans and pull whatever you want. One note about the Taurus fans, in high they pull a lot of juice.

[NHRABill]

Ecotruck assuming that you have a SBC engine twith a stock manifold you should have 2 or 3 places to insert a probe usually on a stock manifold there will be a plug or 2 also on drivers side behind the 3rd sparkplug 1 on the head one on the block there should be a waterjacket plug also check your radiator sometimes 1 if not 2 plugs there if you have a manual then there will definately be 2 plugs auto maybe just 1.

Or just swap out your waterneck. add in a probe from jegs/summit as mentioned befoe easy job to do while your at it you can add that new thermostat.

I had one of my old race cars set with the electric fan on a sensor and also with a bypass switch the sensor was because I forget to turn it on


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pickup a summit fan or better yet check out Autozone if they have them buy you crazy 40% off sales goinng on now.

Good luck

[ecoTruck]

Hey Bill thanks for the info that should help get me started, my truck has the 4.3l V6 but i guess that is still a sbc, just missing a couple cylinders, not sure if the manifold is similar to the V8 manifold or not. I think I'll check the rad for plugs once I get some free time, now that you mention it I think I remember seeing something like that on the rad tanks.

[pounsfos]

sorry about the late reply,
my electric fan is connected to a temp reader just by the thermostat so when it reaches approx 98 degrees celcius it turns on until it is at about 88 deg again.

i got mine done professionally, but if you want to D.I.Y then

install a switch in your dash connected to your fan that turns it on and off

my skid weapon car has this done so when im popping tyres i dont have to worry about it over heating!!

its very affective and you have control of when you want it on or off, just dont forget haha