Best $15 i have ever spent.

[Rooster's82]

This weekend I bought an electric fan off a Buick road master at the junk yard for $15 and replaced my clutch fan with it. I easily freed up 20hp, my truck now runs way smoother, is quieter, more responsive, and although i don't have any numbers yet I'm sure i gained some MPG.

Over all the best way to describe the change is it feels more refined.

If anyone is thinking about swapping out to an electric fan i highly recommend it.

If you have already done it, do you feel the same way? I am still in shock at how much it changed the characteristics of my truck.

[1980GMC]

Holy crap thats sweet. If there is that much improvement in performance Ill switch over to electric in a heartbeat.

[Rooster's82]

Originally Posted by 1980GMC

Holy crap thats sweet. If there is that much improvement in performance Ill switch over to electric in a heartbeat.

So worth it...I did it cheap, but you can get a really nice set up for a couple hundred. In my opinion it is well worth it. After feeling the gains, I may just upgrade to a system engineered for my truck...I'm sure playing with a toggle switch will get old fast.

[msgross]

what did you buy to change the sensor over etc...?

[Rooster's82]

Originally Posted by msgross

what did you buy to change the sensor over etc...?

No sensor, just a toggle switch.

Red Green Rocks!

[LMDGUY]

electric fans are always a good upgrade! get a fan from a wrecking yard and buy a relay/temp sensor package from summit and your good to go

[84 400]

Got any pictures of the install?

Thanks

[Rooster's82]

not yet....but i have that bad boy pretty rigged up right now.

[Rooster's82]

So after doing a little research i have decided against a toggle switch in preference of a rely/temp switch.

[babyJay]

[Alex1]

Originally Posted by Rooster's82

So after doing a little research i have decided against a toggle switch in preference of a rely/temp switch.

ALWAYS keep an emergency toggle switch.

[Rooster's82]

Originally Posted by Alex1

ALWAYS keep an emergency toggle switch.

Good call.

I will post some pics tomorrow morning...until then i will describe the mounting system i went with.

Seeing how the fan came off a buick, this was not a direct bolt on job (HAHA). I was able to use one, yes i said one of the original mounting points. the other 3 points i used wire to hold the fan in place (same wire that held so many of my mufflers from falling off my car as i drove down the street). I do have to say it came out solid as a rock. i have looked into some "universal" mounting kits...but from what i have seen they don't look like they would be any better then what i have.

[chromyelow1]

sounds good any chance on what steps you took for the "mechanically limited" like myself

[Rooster's82]

Originally Posted by chromyelow1

sounds good any chance on what steps you took for the "mechanically limited" like myself

It is easy as pie....

go to the junk yard and find an electric fan out of a v6 or v8 engine, make sure is has a built in shroud (most will). It might have some sensors and crap on it, i just cut them off leaving the 2 wires coming from the motor. (Ford Taurus wagons have a 2200 cfm fan, i got mine out of a Buick road master, but in general if your not doing major hauling or climbing mountains or whatever, pretty much any will provide enough air flow to keep you cool in normal driving conditions)

there are 4 bolts holding your clutch fan on, remove them...you will need to put a couple of washers on the bolts and put them back on, they hold one of your pulleys on.

remove the fan shroud, again 4 bolt one at each corner.

take your junk yard fan and rig it up...wire and a bolt like me, or get a universal mounting kit. They are basically 2 metal straps that you bolt the fan to then bolt to the radiator or truck, you might have to drill some hole to get it to fit.

the fan will have two wires coming out of it, depending one what wire you attach the negative to will determine the direction the fan spins...test it and get it pulling the air thru the radiator.

buy a temp/rely switch kit and follow the instructions. The set up I'm using attaches directly to the battery...this is easier (sort of), but the fan will run after the engine is turned off until it is cool. You can also wire it into and accessory switch so the fan can only run when the ignition is in the "on" position. they are very simple to install...basically mount the temp switch on the radiator or wherever it tells you to and then run a ground and power wire and you are good to go.

[andresco50]

Well done man nice thread

[Rooster's82]

So here it is...

I rigged up a toggle switch last night so i could get on the road, i ordered a thermostat switch kit too, so later this week i will wire it properly. I am going to stick with my 1 bolt/wire mounting job, not pretty but solid, and i'm not going for a show stopper.

I drove it in traffic for about 40 minutes and she stayed nice and cool, about 170.

[Rooster's82]

Thanks!

So what does everyone think of my mount job?

[chromyelow1]

if its solid then good job. but to avoid any probloms down the road i would into somthing alot more stronger. Thanks for the help looks like somthing i might do later.

[slash crashley]

i was out toolin' around the wreckers this weekend in hopes of securing a headliner and some trim parts outta the lone c10 in the whole place. turns out they finally scrapped it.

i remembered this thread tho and removed a dual electric fan set up out of a 1998ish bonneville w/ a 3.8L. ($35) i removed the whole top bracket piece with it. today i rigged it up and it works awesome. i have to admit i kinda thought you were over-hyping it, but it's crazy how effective and cheap this mod is.

it's whisper quiet and it feels like the truck just takes off. that old fan is like an anchor draggin the engine down. i've just got mine wired on constant. since this is florida i don't think i need to worry about it running too cold.

it's rigged up with some hardware but i just used cable tires underneath until i can construct something a little sturdier.

great thread, i'm so impressed with the results. i'm pretty sure that's the best hp to cash flow ratio anyone will ever achieve.

awesome.

[Pyrotechnic]

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/10561/10002/-1

I bought that thermostat/relay kit and it's been good so far. I prefer that style of sensor because a lot of GM cars used that sensor back in the 80's, so it's a proven design. I like how it mounts in your intake or thermostat housing because that gives the most accurate reading to the switch, rather than ones that put a probe in the radiator fins.

[gchemist]

Read this on fans.
http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2...cfan/index.php

[8T3GMC]

Sweet. I am know wanting to go electric.

[streetstar]

The mount and wiring looks wild --- but i have done worse ---

thx for letting us all know


I can see the improvement over a big 'ol clutch fan would be huge, but has anyone compared it to a regular 3 or 4 blade old school fan?

[Rooster's82]

Here is a pic of something closer to a finished product...that is the manual override to the thermo switch. At some point I will be either re-wiring the whole truck or at least re-route all the random wires the PO has all over the the place and the ones i'm adding. I'm going to have to be real motivated and i don't think that is going to happen for awhile...especially since it everything works and it runs.

Great to here this thread has got other people installing e-fans...like i said it's the best $15 i have ever spent (plus the $30 for the thermo switch...still a great deal!)

[gezn2]

Originally Posted by Rooster's82

Here is a pic of something closer to a finished product...that is the manual override to the thermo switch. At some point I will be either re-wiring the whole truck or at least re-route all the random wires the PO has all over the the place and the ones i'm adding. I'm going to have to be real motivated and i don't think that is going to happen for awhile...especially since it everything works and it runs.

Great to here this thread has got other people installing e-fans...like i said it's the best $15 i have ever spent (plus the $30 for the thermo switch...still a great deal!)

This is all valuable info
I need to replace a dodgy clutch fan, I just asked for input over in the engine forum, I figured that crowd could add a few useful tricks