OK, this is what I'm doing (For the winter..) .... I've got the ULTIMATE 'Cheap Man's Electric Fan Conversion' project going on here...
(I will post all info and 'how to's' when finished.. You guys are gonna love this..)
I've got all parts needed except for one thing... The right/easy thermostatically controlled switch...WHAT I need is a switch that is basically an 'on/off' switch to trip a relay. It's got to be a 3/8" pipe plug thing to screw into the intake manifold water jacket, before the thermostat.. Must have 'easy to connect to' terminals ... (In other words, not some weird poly-octagon shaped plug that ONLY fits a 1988 SAAB..) .. And it has to make 'contact' at somewhere around 180-195 degrees....
BTW, I'm NOT trying to get anyone to do 'my work' for me... I just figure that somebody must have done this before.. ;)
One other thing... I don't want to use the Hayden sensor that you jab some 'probe' through the cooling fins on the radiator... Call me goofy, but I don't want to go that direction...
I know one of you will have an answer.... :D :D :D
76D100
10-17-2007, 12:30 AM
I figured a flexlite fan was easy and cheep enough...
Late 80's early 90's camaro with a V-8. 3/8" npt and I beleive it is switched at around 185. Can't remember the electrical connections though. Being a GM switch you should be able to buy a plug from the parts store if thats what it has.
62savoywagon
10-17-2007, 04:44 PM
Here is an Ideal?? My son had a 400 in his 87 dodge and for added cooling he added a themo electric fan.to the radiator. It had a sensor that was pushed into the cooling fins and set to when the temp got too 190 or 200 degrees this would kick on automactly(sp). Took some testing to get it right but worked out really well. After a while he took the fan off the motor and found some more hp. Just an ideal there!!!
Hey thanks buck .... If I didn't already have the relay and most of the wiring already made, I'd probably go for that ;)
bherder
10-17-2007, 05:52 PM
Late 80's early 90's camaro with a V-8. 3/8" npt and I beleive it is switched at around 185. Can't remember the electrical connections though. Being a GM switch you should be able to buy a plug from the parts store if thats what it has.
There ya go... Now I have something very common to look for.... I just didn't want to get on napaonline and start hunting through 500 cars, ya know? :D
I figured somebody out the would know.. Being as it's a GM, finding a plug should be no prob... Parts store, or snip one off at the boneyard.. ;) THANKS!! I owe ya one!
bherder
10-17-2007, 06:04 PM
Here is an Ideal?? My son had a 400 in his 87 dodge and for added cooling he added a themo electric fan.to the radiator. It had a sensor that was pushed into the cooling fins and set to when the temp got too 190 or 200 degrees this would kick on automactly(sp). Took some testing to get it right but worked out really well. After a while he took the fan off the motor and found some more hp. Just an ideal there!!!
Hey there 62, thanks for the input... Yeah, Hayden makes those and pretty inexpensive at that. Call it a quirk, but I'm just not comfortable shoving things through my radiator. I'd much rather have something that's bolted in to solid metal and sitting in the coolant.. ;)
So far as pulling the stock fan, that's kind of the whole point on this... When I bought this truck from my wife's uncle, when he had it, apparently at some point the fan clutch went out. Being the cheap a$$ that he is, he put on a $10.00 fan spacer, rather than spending $50.00 for a new fan clutch. (Ya know, I'm all for saving $$ too, but I hate it when people do stuff half-azzed..)
So hopefully, not only will I get a few more ponies out of this, maybe I'll get an extra mile or two per gallon.. (It sure couldn't get any worse!! :D )
62savoywagon
10-17-2007, 07:12 PM
Just lookin at 75 power wagon truck and in his picts shows he put an electric fan in his truck. its in the 8th page on his engine build. lol
mikehopkinsjr
10-17-2007, 07:22 PM
Questions:
1: Is this some sort of recommended new fan type deal?
2: Does this help your engine run better/more power?
3: Do you just like take off your belt driven fan and install this electric one?
bherder
10-17-2007, 07:29 PM
Just lookin at 75 power wagon truck and in his picts shows he put an electric fan in his truck. its in the 8th page on his engine build. lol
Yeah, but he spent some real $$ on his... I'm looking to design the "Po' Boy" setup.... Except for the 'labor' part, I think I can get this whole thing done for $50.00
Shhhhh! It's a secret! :D
84 Ram
10-17-2007, 07:32 PM
Be careful with late model GM temp senders most of the late 80's till the present sending units don't turn the fans on until the engine gets to about 225 degrees they do this for emissions, thats way to hot for our mopars. I would take the guess work out of your fan install and use a painless wiring electric fan kit. part # PRF-30103 in summit 185 on 170 off. It cost 63 dollars. Consist of relay, circut breaker, sending unit, and all connectors that it takes to install this kit.
bherder
10-17-2007, 07:48 PM
Questions:
1: Is this some sort of recommended new fan type deal?
Don't know if it's recommended or not, but certainly an aftermarket option...
2: Does this help your engine run better/more power?
It's supposed to add a few more ponies and possibly another mile or two per gallon.
3: Do you just like take off your belt driven fan and install this electric one?
Pretty much...
75 Power Wagon
10-17-2007, 09:19 PM
Yeah, but he spent some real $$ on his... I'm looking to design the "Po' Boy" setup.... Except for the 'labor' part, I think I can get this whole thing done for $50.00
Shhhhh! It's a secret! :D
mine was pretty "Po' Boy" too... only about 150 after the fan and thermostat.... but i think the fan has gone up in price since then.
mikehopkinsjr
10-17-2007, 09:54 PM
Could someone possibly post up a how-to type thing or maybe bherder will be nice and share pictures, uninstallation of old fan and installation of electric fan?
More questions:
1: Any temperture differences (high/low)?
2: Does this fan start up and run with the truck like the Stock one does?
3: Do the Electric Fans have a speed up type deal when the engine "revs" up?
3-1/2: or does the fan run according to temperature?
4: Anyway to tell if the fan is not in operation while driving round, long trips etc.?
5: If the fan does stop working cause of a complete burnup as some electric fans will do, is there a recommend backup cooling remedy? [Like some sort of switch back to the stock fan]
Thanks alot for all this info...
bherder
10-18-2007, 09:26 AM
Be careful with late model GM temp senders most of the late 80's till the present sending units don't turn the fans on until the engine gets to about 225 degrees they do this for emissions, thats way to hot for our mopars.
So how do I tell what's what? Any clue? I can find them for sale all over on the net, but of course, no specs....
I suppose I could get 2-3 from the boneyard, hook up my VOM and put it in a pan of water on the stove along with a candy thermometer... Heat the water up till the switch makes contact and see what temp it is...
bherder
10-18-2007, 09:52 AM
Could someone possibly post up a how-to type thing or maybe bherder will be nice and share pictures, uninstallation of old fan and installation of electric fan?
Oh, when I got everything I need, there will be a definate 'how to' with pics.. ;)
More questions:
1: Any temperture differences (high/low)?
Not sure what you're asking...
2: Does this fan start up and run with the truck like the Stock one does?
In my case, this is to replace the 'stock' fan altogether. The electric fan I'll be using is a 'puller' fan, which means it mounts on the inside of the radiator. There is no room for both the electric and stock fan, but the whole point of me doing this is to get rid of the stock fan.
3: Do the Electric Fans have a speed up type deal when the engine "revs" up?
The one I'll be using (Out of a Dodge Caravan btw..) has a 'low' speed and a 'high' speed. If I read the manual right (for the Caravan) the low speed comes on whenever you switch on the AC. The high speed comes on whenever the engine gets hot enough to trip the circuit and run the fan.
So, there is no variable speed. Whether it's 'high' or 'low' the fan is either 'on' or 'off'... (BTW, I'll only be using the 'high' speed ... No AC on my truck)
3-1/2: or does the fan run according to temperature?
See above ;)
4: Anyway to tell if the fan is not in operation while driving round, long trips etc.?
I guess if you have a rig quiet enough to be able to hear it.. :D
Actually if you're driving down the highway (Assuming your cooling system is in good shape) the fan should never come on. It doesn't need to. Anything over about 35 mph, pushes enough air through the radiator to keep your engine cool enough
5: If the fan does stop working cause of a complete burnup as some electric fans will do, is there a recommend backup cooling remedy? [Like some sort of switch back to the stock fan]
I guess if it goes out, you're screwed.. just better hope your not too far from home, and don't slow down till ya get there :D :D :D
Thanks alot for all this info...
bherder
10-18-2007, 09:59 AM
Oops... got posted twice...
madracingalley
10-18-2007, 11:43 AM
my neighbor threw in a fan from a 98 PT cruiser and got some switches on the dashboard of his Jeep Yj
mikehopkinsjr
10-18-2007, 05:09 PM
Thanks bherder how-to thing would be awesome, on #1 I mean does the electric fan have any benefits on cooling? Like does the engine run any hotter...
Speed Dragon
10-18-2007, 09:05 PM
Main benefit of an electric fan is less drag on the crank and less bearing wear on the water pump.
mikehopkinsjr
10-18-2007, 09:32 PM
Yea, once bherder does his how-to or whatever, or if he doesnt. I am gonna do to my truck when I can do without it for a couple days.
AMP762
10-19-2007, 06:42 PM
All GMs that I know of turn on at 227 deg. off about 190
BaggedIndy
10-19-2007, 08:04 PM
You may be right, I was told 185 by a parts store guy but that means absolutely nothing anymore.
buck99
10-20-2007, 10:02 AM
Maybe should go with an adjustable sensor and watch the gauge to adjust it.
