electric fan
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 10,977
Likes: 5
From: Lancaster, Pa.
I rewired a baby electric fan from a truckstop with a lighter adapter and set it in my middle console cup holder to speed up the cooling in the back for the kids, purdy neat but no HP gains, lol. I know Timmy, just a lttle nuts this morning. On a serious note, a little extra cooling is never a bad Idea but the cooling compacity of our trucks is more than efficiant from what I learned here. Others will weight in their thoughts..
Snowboard season cometh..
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,406
Likes: 1
From: Gulf Coast of Florida
If you're referring to going with an electric fan setup on the radiator vs. the stock water pump mounted unit, here's the pros and cons as I know them:
PROS:
less strain on engine
frees up a few ponies
possible gain in mpgs
more precise control of fan engagement through electronic thermostat
CONS
not suitable for regular or heavy towing due to reduced airflow
tends to be pricey for prefab kits
So basically if you tow "light & little" an electric fan setup could get you better mpg - how long to recoup the cash outlay is quite variable. If you tow "hard & heavy" then leave the stock setup in place. Otherwise you'll probably cook your engine.
PROS:
less strain on engine
frees up a few ponies
possible gain in mpgs
more precise control of fan engagement through electronic thermostat
CONS
not suitable for regular or heavy towing due to reduced airflow
tends to be pricey for prefab kits
So basically if you tow "light & little" an electric fan setup could get you better mpg - how long to recoup the cash outlay is quite variable. If you tow "hard & heavy" then leave the stock setup in place. Otherwise you'll probably cook your engine.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,782
Likes: 2,142
From: N.GA Mountains
Ok, our trucks and diesels in general are very thermally efficient - but the cooling system is what it is for a reason. The bottom line is, it works and works well - even in 100*+ temps, pulling loooong grades with a load, while keeping the AC cold. I can tell you from experience a weak fan clutch is all it takes to upset that balance.
Someone will have to explain to me how a 1/16HP electric fan can replace the 27HP the stock fan allegedly uses...
Once upon a time, electric fans and even 'no fan' mods were all the rage. IIRC, it only took a few broken motors to end the 'rage'.
Someone will have to explain to me how a 1/16HP electric fan can replace the 27HP the stock fan allegedly uses...
Once upon a time, electric fans and even 'no fan' mods were all the rage. IIRC, it only took a few broken motors to end the 'rage'.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,005
Likes: 3
From: Mcafee, NJ
interested to see what the pre fab options are because i have no choice but to run an electric fan
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,782
Likes: 2,142
From: N.GA Mountains
Its actually (2) 1/16 HP motors. Lol.
Run a 'real' coolant temp gauge. All ya gotta do is take yer foot out of it when it runs hot. You already turned the AC off!
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,782
Likes: 2,142
From: N.GA Mountains
Taurus fans are 4000cfm on 'high' and 2500cfm on 'low' IIRC. And they are $20ea all day at boneyards. Maybe you can find a fabricator to build a shroud for them... 
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 1
From: Oregon
The Taurus fans I believe are very similar to the lincoln fans, don't know the years but they were in front of the 3.8 liter engine. Lot's of off road rigs have them for more cooling at low rpms. I have a couple of them to install on my '79 if I ever get around to it. You also can get the thermostat unit that mounts inline of the radiator hose, for automatic use, as well as controlling from the cab the speed (2 speeds) and shutting them off.