Electric fan question
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 292
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Electric fan question
FINALLY got my truck running. There are only two things keeping me from driving it to work now. One, no cooling fan and two, no exhaust. I'm planning on electric fans, and want to do that first so I can drive it to the muffler shop for the exhaust. So my question is, do I HAVE to upgrade my alternator before I can run electric fans? Next payday I'm buying a pair of electric fans off ebay, how the link works.
http://m.ebay.com/itm/282240407478?_trksid=p2385738.m2548.l4275&_mwBanne r=1&varId=581270574281
http://m.ebay.com/itm/282240407478?_trksid=p2385738.m2548.l4275&_mwBanne r=1&varId=581270574281
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
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An electric fan with enough power to cool your truck will draw 20-30 amps... and the alternator needs to keep up at idle because that is where you need fans the most. At a standstill in hot weather.
A stock alternator cannot do it. Just can't keep up and would burn itself out trying. Lots of ways to upgrade the alternator including adapting a later model "gen 3" from a Taurus or similar. Often done with JY parts.
The link did not work... that said, most aftermarket fans lack capacity to cool effectively. Also, they can block air flow on the highway and cause heating issues.
OE electric fans can be quite good. The Lincoln Mark IV fan is a favorite. Sourced at the JY most of the time.
Or just run the stock mechanical fan + shroud. It works pretty well.
A stock alternator cannot do it. Just can't keep up and would burn itself out trying. Lots of ways to upgrade the alternator including adapting a later model "gen 3" from a Taurus or similar. Often done with JY parts.
The link did not work... that said, most aftermarket fans lack capacity to cool effectively. Also, they can block air flow on the highway and cause heating issues.
OE electric fans can be quite good. The Lincoln Mark IV fan is a favorite. Sourced at the JY most of the time.
Or just run the stock mechanical fan + shroud. It works pretty well.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,628
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From: Albuquerque
You can get by for now with the stock alternator. Watch the voltage and add the bigger alternator as soon as you can. I run a 150a PowerMaster but I have tons of other draws like ignition,stereo etc. I would err on the side of overkill for stuff you might add later.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,399
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From: El Dorado, Arkansas
The 3G alternator upgrade would be a good idea, since an electric fan consumes a good bit of amperage, especially for the amount of in rush current they consume when the fan comes on. There are primarily two versions of the 3G; a 95 amp version and a 130 amp version. There will be a pair of ribs, every 120°, radiating outward from the center of the 3G alternator. In between these ribs will be a set of holes. A 95 amp 3G will have 4 holes between each pair of ribs. A 130 amp 3G will have 2 holes between each pair of ribs.
A Lincoln Mk VIII electric fan would probably be a better component (the Lincoln Mk VIII came out in 1998). Earlier versions were a single speed fan and later ones had a two-speed fan. Either one will move lots of air. Tons of information about this fan can be found on the net and in the Tech Compilation section above for doing the MK VIII fan swap.
A Lincoln Mk VIII electric fan would probably be a better component (the Lincoln Mk VIII came out in 1998). Earlier versions were a single speed fan and later ones had a two-speed fan. Either one will move lots of air. Tons of information about this fan can be found on the net and in the Tech Compilation section above for doing the MK VIII fan swap.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 878
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From: british columbia, canada
Yes like has been said get a fan at the wreckers. Heres what I used, 97 thunderbird, it has 2 speeds. Also I have the big case alt from 79. I think they are 60 amps, but the fan will kill the battery in stop and go traffic. So i would go the 3g route, that's what I will do next.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,184
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From: Near Los Angeles
Ouch! I would not touch those chinese cheapo fans! Go to the j/y and buy an oem Taurus or Volvo 2 speed fan. Take a Taurus 3g alternator too, 130 amps, to power it. Whether or not you use the Taurus fan, still take the Volvo control relay pack that will turn it on and off, switch automatically from high to low. Then use a BMW thermo switch to activate low and high.
That system is 10X better than those ebay fans. Here is a link to read about it, or just google taurus or volvo fan with volvo controller.
Project Taurus Fan - Volvo Relay and BMW Switch - Ford Forums & Technical Discussions
That system is 10X better than those ebay fans. Here is a link to read about it, or just google taurus or volvo fan with volvo controller.
Project Taurus Fan - Volvo Relay and BMW Switch - Ford Forums & Technical Discussions
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Amarillo, Texas
A Chevrolet HHR fan is inexpensive and works awesome. They are very slim and move a ton of air.
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Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 292
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From: Florida
Thanks everybody. Gonna start searching for the famous taurus and mark vii fans(and stay away from the ebay cheapos)and a 3g alternator ... right after I figure out my stupid carb.
LMBO, that's a super funny visual
LMBO, that's a super funny visual
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 292
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From: Florida
I replaced my fuel tank, got it running. Next day wouldn't start. Turns out it was a stuck accelerator pump needle. Fixed that, got it running. The next day it wouldn't start. It was flooding though the vent tube. I was so frustrated I haven't messed with it since.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2011
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Also, on the fan- I was looking at the electric fan swap and already did the 3g swap. But I've decided that I'll go with a clutch fan instead. The electric fan to me looks like too much work for the return - you'll have less wear on your water pump at the expense of a fan, relays, wiring, and your time. Plus if it breaks in the middle if nowhere you're pretty much screwed. A broken clutch fan will just run all the time rather than stop working like an electric one. Sure the electric fan looks cooler but I believe in function over form. All else being equal, simpler is better.
I want to get better MPG but I think an electric power steering pump will help a lot more with that than an electric radiator fan.
Regular User
Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Bathurst, New Brunswick
X2 on rebuilding it. $20-25 kit, great instructions available online.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2014
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From: like subarctic, brrr man!
I have an electric, and keep thinking I should go mechanical again... at the time, I was thinking of stationary service like onboard air compressor, or PTO thingie. (edit) I might change it when the electric wears out
Last edited by ZarK-eh; Jul 7, 2017 at 01:16 PM. Reason: electric run long time