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Mar 2, 2008 | 11:54 PM

abnjumpmaster

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Electric Fan

Is an electric fan better to use and eliminate the engine fan altogether, or should a person use both? I was wondering if I would save on gas if I eliminated the fan on my 1979 F100 with 351M.

Mar 3, 2008 | 12:40 PM

n9lhm

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Joined: Apr 2005

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From: South Bend, IN

Does it currently have a fan clutch on it? Is it any good? Putting a fan clutch on (or replacing the one on it, if it is bad) is the best course of action. Flex fans are generally not recommended for low RPM truck engines, and electric fans are tremendously inefficient. Low voltage DC (12V) electricity is about the worst way to move energy ever designed. Most of the electric fans take over 40 amps when running. It's fine for a transverse mount front wheel drive application, where you would have to fit a big right angle gearbox to directly power the fan from the engine, but for these old trucks, a conventional viscous fan clutch is the easiest and most efficient. IMHO.

Mar 4, 2008 | 10:52 AM

fitzwell

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From: texas,earth

electric fan.

You will probably want to upgrade the alternator, as the fan can draw 20-30 amps running. Electric fan controlled off a thermostat will not run at normal temp, and cause less wear & tear on the water pump.

just my .02

Mar 4, 2008 | 08:07 PM

whd507

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Joined: Jun 1999

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From: SW Missouri

on my 95 town car, its worth 2 mpg removing the clutch fan. (it also has an electric fan as part of the A/C system)
I have been considering the electric fan solution for several of my trucks. it cant draw that much, the controller comes with a 20 amp fuse, and can power two fans...

Mar 4, 2008 | 09:09 PM

fmc400

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Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 10,386

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From: Austin, TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by whd507

The controller doesn't power the fan. The controller controls a relay, which powers the fan. The fan gets its power from a relay sourcing directly off the battery, the controller just turns the relay on or off. The controller itself doesn't draw much current...

The old Taurus fans can peak at 70 amps and draw as much as 30 amps continuous.

Mar 4, 2008 | 09:14 PM

78fordf150ranger

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you will gain Mpg by removing it and replacing it with a ford tarus 2speed fan from a 3.0L motor

Mar 5, 2008 | 01:19 PM

ChaseTruck754

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Joined: May 2007

Posts: 6,993

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From: Costa Mesa, CA

Kinda off topic but I'm gonig to piggy back on this seeing as you guys are talking Turus fans. Does anyone know the CFM of the Taurus fans?
I'm looking at running one on my 302 powered ranger and have the radiator in a low airflow location. I just want to make sure the Taurus fan will pull enough air.

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Mar 5, 2008 | 03:03 PM

ChaseTruck754

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Joined: May 2007

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From: Costa Mesa, CA

thanks for the info. My ranger isn't a "normal" 302 in a ranger scenario (see gallery).
My radiator is in a very low airflow setup, and the truck will see 100* F days.

I already have the electric fan of the SVO supercharged 3.8L motor that used to be in the ranger. I'm just not sure it would pull enough air...

Mar 5, 2008 | 03:12 PM

#10

78fordf150ranger

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it will be kept cool,done out 350's in toyotas are kept cool at ideal on 100* days with 1

Mar 5, 2008 | 03:14 PM

#11

pdqford

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Joined: Jan 2001

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From: Central NYS

Just for another data point - My '79 302 did not have a clutch fan. The roar of the fan when blipping the throttle or in that steep 1st gear used to bug me. I took the fan off and installed a generic J.C.Witney electric fan. Its been on there about 25 years! I don't think the fan even turned on the first 3 or 4 years it was on there. Only time the temp gauge got past straight up was when I was down in Florida in 95 degree weather and got tied up in two hours of stop and go on the I-4.

Now, if I'm towing the boat 250 miles and the temp is forecast to be above 90 degrees, I put the old fan back on and use the electric for back up.

P.S. I think the engine sounds quieter without the fan blades on there and I get about .5 more MPG.

Mar 11, 2008 | 10:18 AM

#12

fitzwell

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From: texas,earth

Quote:

Originally Posted by 78fordf150ranger

i think the numbers are around 4500cfm on high and 100amp on start up, im sure it will keep a 302 in a ranger cool,they where used in 3.8L ford taurus

yep they move a LOT of air on high speed. And they are power hogs.On high speed, 80 amp startup, 53 continuous. Lo speed is 30 amp startup, 18-20 cont.