electric fan
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,810
Likes: 15
From: Central Ohio
Is that rating just for the open fan or does it have a shroud? I dont know for sure but that seems awfully low, like what you would put on a 4 or 6 cyl. Your not going to save anything anyways, it takes about the same energy to drive and electric fan than it does mechanical fan, it just goes through more conversion (mechanical pulley to electric alternator, electric motor back to mechanical). There are some other reasons for putting it in there but not efficiency really, if someone says they got better mpg chances are there clutch wasnt working right on thier stock fan.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
Actually there are lots of benefits to doing the electric fan swap. Most cars made today and for the last 20 years have electrics in them so reliabilty isn't an issue. Personally it's one of the first mods I usually do to my trucks. I haven't gotten there yet with my current SD, but it's on the list after I get the worn out parts replaced.
2100 cfm is way too small imo. The fan I've had the best luck with is out of a Mark VIII. It's a 2 speed and I think if I remember right the low speed moves 3700 cfm and the high is 5000. Haven't had time to see if it will actually work on an SD so measure before you buy anything. I think that the newer lightnings came with electric fans stock, but I'm not sure.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cooli...Q5fAccessories
2100 cfm is way too small imo. The fan I've had the best luck with is out of a Mark VIII. It's a 2 speed and I think if I remember right the low speed moves 3700 cfm and the high is 5000. Haven't had time to see if it will actually work on an SD so measure before you buy anything. I think that the newer lightnings came with electric fans stock, but I'm not sure.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cooli...Q5fAccessories
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,752
Likes: 5
From: Stillwater, OK
a large advantage, and disadvantage of electric fans is that you can set them up to turn even when the engine is not.
The advantage is that you reduce the heat soak effect when you turn the engine off.
The disadvantage is that your truck may not start next time
The advantage is that you reduce the heat soak effect when you turn the engine off.
The disadvantage is that your truck may not start next time
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,810
Likes: 15
From: Central Ohio
And they put less wear on the water pumps and you can shut em off for deep water crossing, etc. Yes there are other advantages. But everyone thinks since its electric its like free power and you get better mpg wich isnt really true. Actually the fans dont realyl use up a noticable amount of fuel anyhow unless its really hot. I took off the stock fan and clutch on my F150 for a month... never saw a mpg gain in cool weather with no fan at all...
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 128
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas, Nevada
There are several companies that make replacement electric conversion kits for most popular P/U's but they usually do not recommend using them if you are towing or if you have an oil burner. They are also very expensive. Flex a lite makes one that measures 27.5" X 17.5" X 4" deep with two fans mounted in a shroud. ( that's the right size for a light duty F150 or 1500 Chevy P/U ) and it will pull 4600 cfm, with a 28amp electrical draw. Tahoe's and Yukon's use a similar set up from the factory. I personally like the engineering of the modern hydraulic fan clutch. They hardly ever fail, and I have seen them last for 2 to 300,000 miles.
