Anybody else running without the engine fan?

Here is the story:
Ever since I have owned my dually, it has not coasted well, knock it out of gear, except on steep hill, and it actually would slow a little. Always thought it may be due to sticky calipers, never checked. About a month ago, the brakes started making metal to metal sound, no warning. So after changing both calipers, rotors, new pads, pack bearings, it will now coast a little. Couple weeks ago, strange noise under hood ended up being bad water pump. No leakage, but could wiggle the fan. New water pump on and decided to try running without fan. Seemed like the motor spooled up quicker and more power. So I decided to check mpgs. 80% of my miles are interstate and I seldom change my route. Never over 60, change gears at 1500-1700 (boring) but noticable improvement. Before the brake job, 12.5 mpg, last two tanks, 16.7 &16.8.
Any body know how many hp's the fan robs? Looks like electric fans are in my future. Anybody done a diy electric fans from the junkyard?

 

no info for you but id def also like to know if anybodys running electric fans..i have been thinking the same as you....i know in the offroad world alot of guys use ford taurus fans..ive seen custom electric fans for obs trucks but in excess of 500

 

That's a pretty good increase in mileage ! What do you think contributed the most, the new brakes or the absence of the fan?

 

Travis is running electric fans.

 

Not sure which made the most difference. Forgot to check after the brake job. If I had to guess, I'd say the fan made more difference. Seat of the pants, decent hp increase, hard to keep my foot out of the engine bay. I am definately doing an e fan, just would like to here what others are running. Dont really want to lay out 500 or more for aftermarket if I can build myself cheap. But I want a good, reliable unit also. If anyone did a diy, what did you use?

 

I've seen the use of Taurus fans a lot also. When I was originally going to do a Cummins swap on my 350 I read on another forum about a guy doing the Taurus fans, but several guys replied and said in hard towing conditions they wouldn't provide sufficient cooling and they recommended stay with the factory fan. BUT, that was on the Cummins. I don't know if the same would apply to the PSD or not. I'd also be interested in hearing from someone who is running e-fans and what kind

 

From what I've seen, dragging brakes will effect mileage more than a fan.

The dually is always going to get worse mileage than a SRW.

 

I have read some post also about the taurus fans. Seems like there was alot of debate as to wether it could supply enough cfm's or not. What I remember, someone had the rating of the factory engine mounted fan and there was a debate about if the efan could match it. The factory fan output is dependant on rpm and the e fan is constant, so I would thing the e fan would be as good or better. I dont tow alot anymore, so I think it will work ok for me. So far in the temps we have had over the past 2 weeks, my engine temps are the same as before I removed the fan.

I also thought that the brakes would make a bigger difference. But the fan seems like it affects the motor alot.
I never expect to get the same as srw trucks, just goes with the territory, but still want to improve mileage if possible.

 

Subscribing

 

I think it would work too. I'm gonna look for that thing I read cause it had a lot of info on the temp switch and relay and wiring.

 

Running dual Taurus fans with a control setup from the parts store. Works great. Only turns one in unless it gets above 195 then turns both on

 

Got any pics? Did you do a write up? Need more info!!!!!!

 

This isn't the same one, but it gives you a good idea of what you may need

Junkyard Electric Fan - FordMuscle

 

yes def like to see some kind of parts list maybe some pics or a write up

 

Good link, thanks Bill.
78pace, how about sharing with the class?