Electric or mechanical fan? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

rwade · 12-03-2012, 06:32 PM

I am putting a 6.0L in my 72 Chevy truck. It will have a cam in it. This is a show truck that doesn't see many open road miles, just shows. I'm wondering if the electric fan is the way to go, or just better for cosmetics. And will the stock alternator handle the increased load? Or go with the low maintenance, old faithful mechanical fan (that if used would Probly dissaprear in my fan shroud). I realize the electric would save me about 15 horsepower. Opinions? Thanks
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bohmankid · 12-03-2012, 09:09 PM

Run a relay with the electric fans and you won't have a problem with the alternator. The electric fans use less power because they are only on when needed. It's even nicer to get two speed fans. Electric fans look more neat and don't require a fan shroud. So, more space. I use two 14" electric fans. They work fine. If you're climate is VERY hot, like in Arizona or southern states, stick with the stock clutch fan. But since it is a show truck without seeing miles, go with electric. Unless the price of the electric fans makes you change your mind, lol.

mooseknuckles · 12-03-2012, 11:30 PM

electric fans are the only way to go....

BR3W CITY · 12-04-2012, 01:11 AM

Most swaps use an electric rad fan unless trying to be super low budget, and most new cars are coming with electric fans at this point. Excluding the occasional failure due to poor wiring or lack of relay use, electric fans really don't burn motors out that frequently, and its doubtful you would ever see a real reliability difference in the trucks life.

68GMCCustom · 12-04-2012, 04:31 PM

had mine on the truck for 3yr or more now...and were made for our trucks

OldCreek · 12-04-2012, 04:41 PM

I like being able to control the on/off temp of the fans with these LS motors. Half the time they don't even come on...

rwade · 12-04-2012, 06:08 PM

Kurt, who mades the fan/shroud you have? Works with factory radiator? What could I expect to spend on a set up like yours? Thanks for the input. Too many choices! LOL
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rwade · 12-04-2012, 06:12 PM

One more question for you Kurt. I see you are running 3:73 gear in the rear, I'm going to run a 16" wide tire and was wondering how it hooks up? Maybe 4:10, or 4:56 for me. Your thoughts?
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68GMCCustom · 12-04-2012, 10:45 PM

e-fans are from a company call Old Air Products and is a direct fit. Seems like I paid around $250 for it.

hooking up just depends on sticky tires. my street tires aren't and thus it can spin them (275/60-15 BFG's) from a 50mph roll. Put on the 315/60-15 MT ET Street radials and things are considerably different.

12-03-2012, 06:32 PM	#1
rwade Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Louisiana Posts: 970	Electric or mechanical fan? I am putting a 6.0L in my 72 Chevy truck. It will have a cam in it. This is a show truck that doesn't see many open road miles, just shows. I'm wondering if the electric fan is the way to go, or just better for cosmetics. And will the stock alternator handle the increased load? Or go with the low maintenance, old faithful mechanical fan (that if used would Probly dissaprear in my fan shroud). I realize the electric would save me about 15 horsepower. Opinions? Thanks Posted via Mobile Device

12-03-2012, 09:09 PM	#2
bohmankid Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 520	Re: Electric or mechanical fan? Run a relay with the electric fans and you won't have a problem with the alternator. The electric fans use less power because they are only on when needed. It's even nicer to get two speed fans. Electric fans look more neat and don't require a fan shroud. So, more space. I use two 14" electric fans. They work fine. If you're climate is VERY hot, like in Arizona or southern states, stick with the stock clutch fan. But since it is a show truck without seeing miles, go with electric. Unless the price of the electric fans makes you change your mind, lol. __________________ My 1985 GMC 4x4 LS swap build thread R.I.P. My 1978 Big Ten, Big Block build thread Moby: My Chevy 4x4 ls swap build thread

12-03-2012, 11:30 PM	#3
mooseknuckles Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: ottawa,canada Posts: 4,550	Re: Electric or mechanical fan? electric fans are the only way to go.... __________________ my build threads '86 C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=415628 '67 C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=635078 '63 GMC http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=674682

12-04-2012, 01:11 AM	#4
BR3W CITY meowMEOWmeowMEOW Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MKE WI Posts: 7,128	Re: Electric or mechanical fan? Most swaps use an electric rad fan unless trying to be super low budget, and most new cars are coming with electric fans at this point. Excluding the occasional failure due to poor wiring or lack of relay use, electric fans really don't burn motors out that frequently, and its doubtful you would ever see a real reliability difference in the trucks life. __________________ *'66 Short Step / SD Tuned / Big Cam LQ4 / Backhalfed /Built 4l80e / #REBUILDEVERYTHING* MY BUILD THE H8RDCPTR //\\ MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL REV J HD

12-04-2012, 04:31 PM	#5
68GMCCustom Truck and auto performance nut Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: McKinney,Texas Posts: 3,848	Re: Electric or mechanical fan? had mine on the truck for 3yr or more now...and were made for our trucks __________________ Kurt - '68 GMC short step - NIB '09 LY6 6.0L crate motor w/mods, NIB '12 crate 4L85e w/billet 3k stall Circle D, 3.73 posi 12 bolt, DynaTech f-swap headers, 3/4 drop, handling mods, etc. - my toy '72 Chevy LWB C-10 Highlander - 350/350 ps/pb/tilt/ac - not original but close '06 Chevy TrailBlazerSS - LS2/4L70e - little black hot rod SUV - my DD '18 Kia Sorento - wife's econo-driver '95 Chevy S10 - reg cab shortbed, LS, 4.3, auto... my '68's powertrain and chassis build -links broken A surprise phase - carb to efi -links broken

12-04-2012, 04:41 PM	#6
OldCreek Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Central Coast California Posts: 1,026	Re: Electric or mechanical fan? I like being able to control the on/off temp of the fans with these LS motors. Half the time they don't even come on... __________________ 1972 K20 Suburban 5.7/700r4/NP205 Dana 44/H052 Sold 1972 C10 5.3L/4L60E 12bolt 5Lug - Sold 1971 K5 Blazer 6.0L LQ9 4L60E NP205 Dana 44/H052!!! 1970 K3500 1ton CrewCab 8.1L/Allison1000/NP205 Dana 60/14B!!!! - Sold 1984 K10 SWB 7.4L/4L80e/NP208 Corp 10/12 bolt Sold 1988 V30 CCLB 7.4L/TH400/NP205/Dana 60/Dana 70/3.73!!! (Sold) 2003 K2500HD 8.1/Allison1000/NP263

12-04-2012, 06:08 PM	#7
rwade Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Louisiana Posts: 970	Re: Electric or mechanical fan? Kurt, who mades the fan/shroud you have? Works with factory radiator? What could I expect to spend on a set up like yours? Thanks for the input. Too many choices! LOL Posted via Mobile Device

12-04-2012, 06:12 PM	#8
rwade Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Louisiana Posts: 970	Re: Electric or mechanical fan? One more question for you Kurt. I see you are running 3:73 gear in the rear, I'm going to run a 16" wide tire and was wondering how it hooks up? Maybe 4:10, or 4:56 for me. Your thoughts? Posted via Mobile Device

12-04-2012, 10:45 PM	#9
68GMCCustom Truck and auto performance nut Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: McKinney,Texas Posts: 3,848	Re: Electric or mechanical fan? e-fans are from a company call Old Air Products and is a direct fit. Seems like I paid around $250 for it. hooking up just depends on sticky tires. my street tires aren't and thus it can spin them (275/60-15 BFG's) from a 50mph roll. Put on the 315/60-15 MT ET Street radials and things are considerably different. __________________ Kurt - '68 GMC short step - NIB '09 LY6 6.0L crate motor w/mods, NIB '12 crate 4L85e w/billet 3k stall Circle D, 3.73 posi 12 bolt, DynaTech f-swap headers, 3/4 drop, handling mods, etc. - my toy '72 Chevy LWB C-10 Highlander - 350/350 ps/pb/tilt/ac - not original but close '06 Chevy TrailBlazerSS - LS2/4L70e - little black hot rod SUV - my DD '18 Kia Sorento - wife's econo-driver '95 Chevy S10 - reg cab shortbed, LS, 4.3, auto... my '68's powertrain and chassis build -links broken A surprise phase - carb to efi -links broken



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