Electric fan size?
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New User
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Washington state
Electric fan size?
So I put a rebuilt 460 in my 1980,f250 2wd. The 400m I took out has a diff size fan clutch. So I stuck a 2500 cfm electric fan on it. The engine is pretty basic. Summit rv cam, weiand stealth intake, holly 625 carb, headers. Stock every thing else. I have the big ford rad. The problem is when I tow my travel trailer it seems to run pretty hot. 230 degrees and I cant get it too cool down till I stop. Im wondering if I need to buy the right fan clutch and go back to a regular fan.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Suffolk, VA USA
The Crown Vic/Marquis/Town car fan works well also. It's a two speed fan...just wire is on high. It's in less demand than the Taurus fan, so you should be able to get it a little cheaper.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,868
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From: Rhode Island
If you do a lot towing, I'd personally switch back to a mechanical fan. The way I see it, if electric fans could flow as much as mechanical fans, why are truck makers still putting big huge mechanical fans in cars? Electric fans are fine for light towing, and around town/highway driving but not for heavy towing.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Out of here
Not true on the electric vs mechanical fans.
Electric fans are way more efficient and only come on when needed therefore increasing the performance of your engine.
They also allow the added benefit of being able to run and cool down your engine even when it's shut off. That is something a mechanical fan cannot do.
One other advantage of an electrical fan is the ability to turn it off at will with a bypass switch. This is a great feature to have when four wheeling and attempting a water crossing. It will prevent water from getting thrown all over the engine compartment and possibly drowning the distributor.
Plus, with the proper controller it is possible to maintain your engine at a preset operating temperature.
I don't know of any late model car that still runs a mechanical fan either.
Electric fans are way more efficient and only come on when needed therefore increasing the performance of your engine.
They also allow the added benefit of being able to run and cool down your engine even when it's shut off. That is something a mechanical fan cannot do.
One other advantage of an electrical fan is the ability to turn it off at will with a bypass switch. This is a great feature to have when four wheeling and attempting a water crossing. It will prevent water from getting thrown all over the engine compartment and possibly drowning the distributor.
Plus, with the proper controller it is possible to maintain your engine at a preset operating temperature.
I don't know of any late model car that still runs a mechanical fan either.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Suffolk, VA USA
Granted, I'm running a much smaller engine, but I can tell you that mileage, power, and cooling capability all increased with the electric fan. Mine is wired so that it automatically comes on within a certain temperature range or when the A/C compressor is engaged. The Crown Vic fan runs at near 3500 CFM on high...it is extremely strong and will cool the truck in seconds.
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Elder User
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there was a probe that ran dual fans with the same fan motor as the taurus, its a larger shroud but should work for your BBF.
i am doing a taurus fan swap on my wrangler and will be installing,
Delta Current Control
the fk35 controller.
be warned though if you do order one of these controllers it took a bit over a month to get it, and its dang near impossible to get a hold of this guy. The company is ONE guy working out of his house.
i am doing a taurus fan swap on my wrangler and will be installing,
Delta Current Control
the fk35 controller.
be warned though if you do order one of these controllers it took a bit over a month to get it, and its dang near impossible to get a hold of this guy. The company is ONE guy working out of his house.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,868
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From: Rhode Island
A proper working clutch fan will also use almost no power when its not needed. You can stop a clutch fan on a running engine - IF the clutch is still working correctly. They only lock up when needed. A 4.6 in the crown vics is much more efficient then a 460, and dumps a lot less heat.
A 460 gets pretty poor mileage even relatively low HP ones, and you know where all that fuel goes? It gets turned into waste heat. If you are going to be doing a lot of towing perhaps even up some grades, spare your alternator and get a mechanical fan.
Like I said before, if electrical fans were upto the task of keeping a truck cool, and gain you more mileage and power (which they do), how come nearly all trucks, be it gas or diesel are equipped with mechanical fans?
A 460 gets pretty poor mileage even relatively low HP ones, and you know where all that fuel goes? It gets turned into waste heat. If you are going to be doing a lot of towing perhaps even up some grades, spare your alternator and get a mechanical fan.
Like I said before, if electrical fans were upto the task of keeping a truck cool, and gain you more mileage and power (which they do), how come nearly all trucks, be it gas or diesel are equipped with mechanical fans?
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,298
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From: NJ
What water pump are you running on this 460? I it's a stocker or any "high volume" pump that uses a stamped impeller toss it in the scrap pile and get yourself an Edelbrock 8866. They are a work of art, beautiful impeller and beefy bearings.
As for electric fans... Don't bother. If you need an electric fan you are hiding other problems. How far from the radiator is your fan? Are you running a shroud? If so is the fan positioned correctly in the shroud?
As for electric fans... Don't bother. If you need an electric fan you are hiding other problems. How far from the radiator is your fan? Are you running a shroud? If so is the fan positioned correctly in the shroud?
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 5
From: Out of here
I'm not going to beat the dead horse but I totally disagree with a mechanical fan being superior to an electric.
If you are in traffic and not able to turn sufficient rpm to spin a mechanical fan you WILL run hot. There is simply not enough air flow to keep the engine cool.
An electrical fan on the other hand can run full speed as long as it is required by the temperature probe and has a good 12-14 volt power supply.
Why do you think almost every hard core wheeling rig has converted to a Taurus fan? They spend most of their time at low rpms and a mechanical fan CANNOT keep up with the cooling requirements.
If you are in traffic and not able to turn sufficient rpm to spin a mechanical fan you WILL run hot. There is simply not enough air flow to keep the engine cool.
An electrical fan on the other hand can run full speed as long as it is required by the temperature probe and has a good 12-14 volt power supply.
Why do you think almost every hard core wheeling rig has converted to a Taurus fan? They spend most of their time at low rpms and a mechanical fan CANNOT keep up with the cooling requirements.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,091
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From: Suffolk, VA USA
Here's some of what others are saying about trucks and electric fans....
Project K1500: Electric Fan Install - Trucks 4x4 @ Off-Road.com
1997 Dodge Ram 3500 Electric Fan - Diesel Power Magazine
Project K1500: Electric Fan Install - Trucks 4x4 @ Off-Road.com
1997 Dodge Ram 3500 Electric Fan - Diesel Power Magazine