Electric Flexlite Fan Now not running as cool

[Michael Yount]

...I'd add - as far as reliability - I've put electric fans on 4 vehicles that came with mechanical fans. On my current Volvo, there was no choice -- there's not enough room for a mechanical (barely enough for the electric).

On the other 3 -- I put the electrics on when the MECHANICAL CLUTCH failed. Lest anyone think that proper working mechanical systems are less reliable than quality electric components. So my general rule of thumb became - stick with the mechanical until the temperature sensitive clutch fails -- then put the electric on. Sold all 3 of those cars with the electric fan on and working just fine.

 

[cevtv]

By the way, there's a reason that your fan is nicknamed "Black Tragic" -- lots of people have problems with them moving enough air to cool their V8's.

Did anyone notice he's talking about the new Black Magic "Extreme"? This is the first complaint that I have heard about the new model........


.

 

[04sleeper]

Did anyone notice he's talking about the new Black Magic "Extreme"? This is the first complaint that I have heard about the new model........ .

New model/ Old model. It is still a Flexlite fan. They have never been as good as an OEM type fan and have had lots of poor feedback. Hence the name "Black Tragic".

The only 2 types of electric fans I would run would be an OEM, (Such as an SN-95 or Mark VIII or Taurus) or a Spal electric fan (which makes fans for OEM).

 

[91five-o]

Thanks for all the info on this Michael. I'm going to replace the 160 for a 180 as a start, then order up a temp guage for my a-pillar pod......I will soon have a home for it as the A/F ratio one has dazzled me enough with its useless lights ! I was aware that there were mixed reviews on the Black Magic so when the new 185 came out specifically for the 5.0, and I saw the spec sheet on it, its flows so much more that I figured the company had addressed the concerns with the old one. Hopefully I'm right.

Ian

 

[Michael Yount]

Looks like you've got some nice bits/pieces there on the car Ian -- I'm sure you'll get a cooling set up working the way you want it to. I run the dual SPAL 11" fully shrouded unit controlled by a DC Controller. It works as well - probably better than the electric fan on my wife's BMW.

 

[stang8urimport]

Here's what I control with -- only way to control an electric -- www.dccontrol.com

And THERE it is folks!!!

 

[Michael Yount]

Just for you Poop....

http://www.etnracing.com/pages/Tech/FanControl.htm

 

[stang8urimport]

Thank you!!!

 

[91five-o]

Do I need the mechanical Autometer or the electric

 

[HISSIN50]

Your choice on elec vs mech. Mech is my preference due to the full sweep and lack of jitters from the electrical system. It really is a personal choice as neither is arguably more accurate than the other.

Good luck.

 

[91five-o]

full sweep meaning more precise increments on the guage?

 

[HISSIN50]

full sweep meaning more precise increments on the guage?

Well, for the same range of temps, you would have nearly 270* of needle sweep, vs around 90* (note that they do make full sweep electric gauges, but the selection is limited and they are $$).

to debate with myself, I know Michael likes electrical temp gauges and I know why and respect his opinion greatly. It just comes back to the personal preference thing. Either will do you well IMHO.

(My preference comes from driving in 115*F ambient temps in the summer - I watch the gauge like a hawk, where others might not need to be so preoccupied with the exact reading).

 

[04sleeper]

I'll add to what JT said.

I like the mechanical temp gauge for the same reasons as well and because it requires no power for it to work. (Just like sticking a thermometer into your intake.)

 

[91five-o]

Allright so I finally got a autometer water temp guage and installed it. I ran the car at idle as I do not have insurance on the car yet and It ran at 195 celsius and the fan never kicked on until about 195 and it never dropped the temp below that and it shut off. This is with the adj temp control turned all the way to the coldest setting using that stupid metal probe they give to stick in between the fins in the rad. I know when I drive the car it will get hotter unless I am cruising around 70km and then when I am idling at a light it will run quite hot. I do not know how hot until I get it in the road. I might put a 1 day permit on tommorow. So what is first thing I should look at doing?

 

[TENGRAM]

the problem with the 160 T-stat, is that it never closes because your enginge is always above that temp. coolant has to stay in the radiator long enough to cool down. if T-stat is always open, coolant doesnt stay in the radiator. and yes, if you could get the engine to run 160 it would be rough on it. i suggest switching to 180 or even stock 192 T-stat.

 

[Sevan]

i dont think its a fan issuse...he mentions that hes running a supercharger and i think that with the supercharger the motor gets even hotter because its working that much harder...have you thought about dual fans??
just my .02

good luck

 

[91five-o]

I have a 180 thermostat in the car.....not a 160 like I thought. Anyway, with the 180 in it the temp at idle is 195 degrees. Is this a safe range ? What does a stock 5.0 run for temp at idle. Maybe 195 degrees is OK and I'm concerned over nothing. On a side note, would changing my stock water pump and/or radiator bring the temp down.

Ian

 

[HISSIN50]

I have a 180 thermostat in the car.....not a 160 like I thought. Anyway, with the 180 in it the temp at idle is 195 degrees. Is this a safe range ? What does a stock 5.0 run for temp at idle. Maybe 195 degrees is OK and I'm concerned over nothing. On a side note, would changing my stock water pump and/or radiator bring the temp down.

Ian

Ian, there is nothing wrong with idling at 195*F in traffic. Most folks dont like to see temps get much higher, just to leave some fudge factor. FWIW, the computer doesnt start to think things are getting too hot till about 230*F.

 

[seijirou]

195 is great. 210 is also perfectly fine. If that's the range your in, sit back and smile 'cause you're cooling system is dialed in.