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Electric Fan?
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Williamson, NY
Electric Fan?
Will a 16" ProComp Electric puller-style fan work well to cool my 1977 F150 302 truck (no AC)? My truck currently has a stock 4-blade fan and does not have a fan shroud or clutch fan. I was thinking this would be a much cheaper alternative to buying a shroud, and clutch style fan and this would also free up some HP to the rear wheels. Thanks
Jim
Jim
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From: Munroe falls, Ohio
I put a fan from a 90 merc tracer, it has two speeds. when i still had a c6 connected to the 351w, i had to have it on high speed during the summer or the temps kept rising. but now that i put the zf in, low speed works great plus theres less startup current draw too.
i dont have ac but you have a smaller engine, i would try to find a fan from a junkyard as everyone here says that thay are more heavy duty and put out more cfm.
i dont have ac but you have a smaller engine, i would try to find a fan from a junkyard as everyone here says that thay are more heavy duty and put out more cfm.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 969
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From: North Texas
A new clutch fan and new shroud(i.e. jeff's bronco graveyard) is only slightly more expensive than an electrical fan and thermostat, but draws 3 times the air through your radiator. 302's are so common you should be able to get the parts at a junk yard even cheaper. In Texas it's the only way to go, but NY may be cool enough that you can get by with an electric.
I run a 16" electric on my 65 mustang, but I also have a huge home made airdam and no a/c or power accessories. It cools fine on the highway, regardless of whether the fan is on, but slowly warms at stop lights. I use electric there to lower parasitic drag, and accept that stop and go traffic is a no-no.
I run a 16" electric on my 65 mustang, but I also have a huge home made airdam and no a/c or power accessories. It cools fine on the highway, regardless of whether the fan is on, but slowly warms at stop lights. I use electric there to lower parasitic drag, and accept that stop and go traffic is a no-no.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: North Texas
Originally Posted by Torque1st
the difference in HP is only momentary.
Originally Posted by Torque1st
Electrics are good for drag racing and deep water only.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
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D- is correct! 
The electrics loose a bunch of power in conversion efficiency: Rotary engine power is converted to electrical power by the alternator then transmitted thru wires and switches that have resistance (which radiates power as heat) to a small very inefficient DC motor to be turned back into rotary power. You gain some back with thermostatic control but not enuf. The OEM's use mechanical fans if possible for cost, reliability, as well as efficiency. They have CAFE standards to meet and bragging rights for HP in advertising. I have seen some very cool hydraulic powered fans tho that take advantage of the wasted power from the power steering pump.
The electrics loose a bunch of power in conversion efficiency: Rotary engine power is converted to electrical power by the alternator then transmitted thru wires and switches that have resistance (which radiates power as heat) to a small very inefficient DC motor to be turned back into rotary power. You gain some back with thermostatic control but not enuf. The OEM's use mechanical fans if possible for cost, reliability, as well as efficiency. They have CAFE standards to meet and bragging rights for HP in advertising. I have seen some very cool hydraulic powered fans tho that take advantage of the wasted power from the power steering pump.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Spokane, WA
Regardless of what kind of fan you run you MUST have a good fitting shroud to make it work right. I agree with Eric, if you're not running deep water or drag racing, stick to the mechanical fan. It takes a BIG electric fan to do the same job and ends up being expensive to do.
