Hello All,
Radiator started leaking so time for a well needed upgrade. Was thinking about going to a Mishimoto radiator and tranny cooler. Need to keep everything cool on those 118 degree days especially when hitting the trails. Next will be a Flex a lite 272 super duty fan.
should I change my water pump? Is there an upgraded one? How about thermostat? Anything else I’m missing to keep the motor and tranny nice and cool in extreme temps? Thanks!

 

An electric fan (that Flex a lite 272 you mentioned) is a downgrade in terms of cooling compared to a mechanical fan. Electric fans are good at freeing up some horsepower, but they don't move anywhere near the same amount of air as a mechanical fan does.

Physics is a real uncompromising b*itch, and she says to move an "X" amount of air you need a "Y" amount of energy to do it, regardless of where that energy comes from. It's pretty widely known/ accepted that a mechanical fan robs at least 5hp from your engine, hence why the high performance crowd like electric fans. But to move the same amount of air as a mechanical fan, an electric fan would also require 5hp worth of energy.

So lets convert 5hp to watts , since 1hp= 745.7watts, then 5 hp = 3728.5 watts.

So, how many amps, at 12 volts DC, does it take to produce 3728.5 watts? Well, since voltage x current = watts, then rearranging the equation to solve for current I get that it takes 310.7 amps (again at 12 volts DC) to make the energy equivalent of 5 hp. What are those electric fans fused at again,,, maybe 40 amps each?? No way are the moving the same amount of air, if they were , they would be pulling 310 amps. No free lunch in the real world unfortunately.
...

 

I have noticed that with the Hayden Fan clutch that I put on a couple months ago, two things have happened.

I don't ever hear the fan anymore, and it seems the AC just is not near as good as it used to be... no change in the AC system either.

However, the EOT temps are always right where they should be, even without the loud roaring noises.

don't have the Coolant sensor installed yet, at 102* outside, I just don't feel like bending over the radiator.

 

I’d just get a good aluminum radiator, the Dorman 6.0 trans cooler, a fresh T-stat, new water pump, serp belt, belt tension idler, new stock fan clutch and of course, fresh coolant if I was looking to do what you seem to want to do. Mechanical fans move many, many times as much air across the cooling stack than any electric fan can dream of, as explained above. The 6.0 trans cooler is much larger and efficient than the factory 6.8 unit (and the 6.8 one was larger than the factory 7.3 cooler).

 

@Antonm23

Wow. Thank you so much for the very detailed information! That is very useful. Also I guess I will be saving the $600 instead of using it for an electric fan. Awesome. 👍🏻



@John in OkieLand

I definitely need my AC! Since I will be keeping the mechanical fan now I guess I will replace the fan clutch. I’m guessing Ford motorcraft is best?

Should I replace the actual fan as well? Does it get old? Thanks!



@WE3ZS

That sounds like a plan! Any recommendations on a great aluminum radiator?! I was thinking about going with Mishimoto but if there is another that will work great or even better I’m all ears! Same with the 6.0 tranny cooler. I’m guessing Dorman is good as recommended. OEM Ford T-stat and water pump? Thanks again!



My shopping list:

-Aluminum radiator (Brand TBD)

-Tranny cooler (Dorman?)

-OEM T-Stat

-OEM water pump

-OEM Serp belt

-OEM belt tension idler

-OEM fan clutch

-Prestone platinum coolant?

-New coolant temp sensor?



Thanks!

 

I have a radiator express all aluminum rad in my Excursion. While there are mixed reviews for their non-Ford stuff, their radiator for these year Ford trucks seems to be pretty good (mines working fine so far), link below, scroll to the bottom of the page.

https://www.radiatorexpress.com/part...n/base/68l-v10
...

 

I installed the Dorman 6.0 trans cooler in my tow rig EX about 75K miles ago and it’s been perfect at a combined weight of 20,000 to 21,000 pounds towing our large 3 slide TT all over the USA. You will find plenty of negative chatter online about Dorman, much of it deserved, but this larger trans cooler has proven itself as winner for me.

Do some reading up on the swap to the 6.0 cooler,you will need some ATF rated rubber hose, clamps, and a couple of size changing hose barded fittings. While doing this swap it’s a perfect time to do the full trans fluid flush, again do some searching and reading here on that process. I used the Motorcraft MERCON V when I did my trans flush. I saw a 25 to 30 degree reduction in trans temps after the swap to the larger cooler.
Personally I would go with Motorcraft for the T-stat, water pump and tensioner set.

 

plastic gets old and breaks.

no more than a new fan cost, I just bought a new one, with a new fan clutch.
I chose the Hayden fan clutch, the vote is still out on if that was smart.

the AC is not as cold as I think it should be, but 60-80% humidity is not a fair test.... with the Hayden fan clutch, I never hear it make any noise, even though, the EOT stays down low where it should

 

Thermostat: RT-1195
Coils: Denso 673-6000
Plugs; Autolite APP103 or Autolite XP103 or Motorcraft SP479X
Fan Clutch: YB3082
Water pump: Gates 42079 or Melling MWP510
Coolant: Ford Premium Gold aka Zerex G-05

Source: RockAuto