The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network (https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/index.php)

- The 1973 - 1987 Chevrolet & GMC Squarebody Pickups Message Board (https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/forumdisplay.php?f=4)

- - Electric Cooling Fans (https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=188343)

Electric Cooling Fans

Hey guys I have a '87 chevy SWB 1/2 ton with a 350 TBI. I have replaced my old 2 core radiator with a 4 core radiator which I believe is used on the 454 engines. I am now in the market for an electric dual fan set up. Please provide me some feedback, links, opinions, & pics. Thanks guys.:confused:

Re: Electric Cooling Fans

Try nissan altimas, maximas or lincolns. This is info I have gotten, nothing first hand.

Re: Electric Cooling Fans

You better have a heck of a alternator to run those taurus/ark 8 fans!

Re: Electric Cooling Fans

Just out of curiosity incase I would do an electric fan swap would a 6.5 diesel alternator be strong enough(on a non computerized sbc)for the swap.

Re: Electric Cooling Fans

I put an alternator from "Tuff Stuff" on my truck to run the fans, stereo, lights, and whatever else. The alternator I chose will carry 80 amps at idle on the motor. Most alternator will drop to less than 35 amps at idle and the first thing you will notice is your fans coming on at a stoplight during the night and the lights will dim. If you do not want to go into a Tuff Stuff setup, I would look for a 140 amp alternator from a later model setup, or have one built at a shop. I have had that done also.

Re: Electric Cooling Fans

I bought mine from O'Rilley's and wired them in with two relays and fuses. Easy and cheap. Lifetime warranty on them. I had a temperature kit on it to kick on and off but would run more often than it should even after changing the dial. Finally swapped to a switch.

Re: Electric Cooling Fans

In the past I researched the lectric fan thing pretty hard. I had to, because most of the manufacturers sell their fan according to horsepower and I was building a motor that was going to be higher than what they sold. I looked at all of the larger manufacturers and finally I talked to the guys at "Be Cool" and they convinced me that the "SPAL" fans were the best to deal with. It all stems from how the manufacuteres measure the airflow across the radiator when the fan runs. There is a static flow (air across the radiator and the fan only) and there is a dynamic flow (air across the radiator and fan with the backpressure of what an engine bay would have). SPAL measures their fans in the dynamic format, where most of the others use the static measurement, I even asked about this to the distrutors and they agreed, thus the limits on horsepower. I chose the SPAL 11" dual fans for my 84 GMC with the 383 stroker in it and I am not sorry. I am pushing some more Hp than compared to a factory truck, though.

I am here to tell you that when making the purchase, think out the process and don't just stick anything in there that might do the job. If it doesn't work the first time then you have to buy another set and that is where the cost starts to add up.

Re: Electric Cooling Fans

Anybody running daul alternators....just a thought of course thats probally gonna steal lots more power than a higher amperage alternator.

Re: Electric Cooling Fans

Thanks guys for all the feedback and advice. I went ahead and ordered the Flex-A-Lite 295 dual 13 1/2 in fans with all the wiring. Will let you know how it comes out. Should be installed on Wednesday. Will also post some pics.