Fan What to do

Project89 · Jul 14, 2005

I just noticed a crack on the base of one of the blades; the fan clutch appears to be worn also as I can spin it w/little resistance. Should I replace it with an original or go electric? My only beef with going electric is that my amps are down low because of the u/d pullies and I would prefer not upgrading the alt. The motor is stock with the usual bolt-ons and I do not see myself modding exept for maybe way on down the road. The car sees maybe 50 miles per week. Someone please send me in the right direction.

HISSIN50 · Jul 14, 2005

I am an oddball in that I kinda like the mech fan (simplicity is a simpleton's friend).

I had very good luck with a HD fan clutch from the parts store (lifetime warranty is nice since clutches lose a few hundred RPM a year) and a metal replacement fan blade (can be purchased through PAW - where I got mine, or online race shops like Summit).

I live in the desert, so i take cooling over parasitic loss (the HD clutch drags a bit more than a standard clutch, but I need all the fan I can get).

Good luck.

Daggar · Jul 14, 2005

I'm a firm believer in the stock fan/clutch setup, regardless of engine power. You can get one from 50resto or take a trip to the bone yard. IMO, the only reason to switch to an electric fan for a street app is because of clearance issues due to other mods.

Project89 · Jul 14, 2005

That is what I needed to hear. Thanks guys!

sgarlic · Jul 14, 2005

I'm going to interject my thoughts, although it is probably already too late.

Every time something of mine breaks that was OEM, and has been known to be upgraded, I pretend it was meant to happen, and upgrade. My fan clutch went a year or so ago, and I took the opportunity to do the taurus fan swap. I love it. I (as does Hissin) live in the desert, and I'm all about keeping the car cool in stop and go traffic. I've had terrible luck in my life with mechanical fans not cooling properly in traffic, and I hate the feeling you get watching that gauge crawl up when there's still 20 cars in front of you waiting to move.

That's just my opinion. If you have the cash, I'd go for the electric. A junkyard taurus fan and an auto-zone controller will cost you about the same as a replacement fan blade and fan clutch.

90mustangGT · Jul 14, 2005

HISSIN50 said:
I am an oddball in that I kinda like the mech fan (simplicity is a simpleton's friend).

I had very good luck with a HD fan clutch from the parts store (lifetime warranty is nice since clutches lose a few hundred RPM a year) and a metal replacement fan blade (can be purchased through PAW - where I got mine, or online race shops like Summit).

I live in the desert, so i take cooling over parasitic loss (the HD clutch drags a bit more than a standard clutch, but I need all the fan I can get).

Good luck.

A very good suggestion. but take in consideration:

sgarlic said:
Every time something of mine breaks that was OEM, and has been known to be upgraded, I pretend it was meant to happen, and upgrade. My fan clutch went a year or so ago, and I took the opportunity to do the taurus fan swap. I love it. I (as does Hissin) live in the desert, and I'm all about keeping the car cool in stop and go traffic. I've had terrible luck in my life with mechanical fans not cooling properly in traffic, and I hate the feeling you get watching that gauge crawl up when there's still 20 cars in front of you waiting to move.

That's just my opinion. If you have the cash, I'd go for the electric. A junkyard taurus fan and an auto-zone controller will cost you about the same as a replacement fan blade and fan clutch.

Turn a breakdown into a mod.

Project89 · Jul 14, 2005

Please school me on the jukyard Taurus fan. The differences, mounting issues etc.

90mustangGT · Jul 14, 2005

Project89 said:
Please school me on the jukyard Taurus fan. The differences, mounting issues etc.

I have never done a Taurus fan but I am sure it would work. Basically all you need is the fan assembly, a relay, and a theromswitch you can get at any autoparts store. Many of the parts stores carry kits in the fan isle that have the relay built in.

I have a Black Magic fan which worked pretty good but I swiped a Crown Vic fan assembly from work (work in a shop) wich has a bad fan motor but I plan on getting a new motor and using it. A crown Vic fan would be too large for a stock radiator without butchering the assemble but since I just got a 31" wide fan, it fits. The Black Magic pulls a lot of air, comes ready to run, but is rather small for a 31" radiator.

Project89 · Jul 14, 2005

How long do you guys predict I can safely drive it in this condition before the fan comes apart? Or do I replace it tommorow?

90mustangGT · Jul 14, 2005

Project89 said:
How long do you guys predict I can safely drive it in this condition before the fan comes apart? Or do I replace it tommorow?

Somewhere between 5 feet and 50,000 miles, or two seconds to two years.

Not to be a smartass, but that is the truth. It will pobally do it when it is most inconvienient for you.

Project89 · Jul 14, 2005

Yep, I will replace it tommorrow. Thanks for the info!

HISSIN50 · Jul 14, 2005

Andy and Jason do bring up good points. There is no right answer - it is just personal preference. I swayed toward the mech fan recommendation (I have one of each - 88GT vert is mech, and the 94 has an SN95 fan obviously) because of what was said in the original post (alternator concerns).

Both should cool very well. It just depends upon what you want to do. To do the elec fan controlling the best way possible, a variable controller is the way to go (Andy can provide more thoughts on that. ). A buddy of mine in town is doing a MK 8 fan and one of those beautiful controllers as we speak.

Jason is right about the fan blade's longevity. If the clutch is kind of sucking, that can help reduce stress on the fan blades (since they are not moving as much air as they should). But I would not want to find out. New metal fan blade is under 40 bucks.

Good luck.

Scorcher2005 · Jul 15, 2005

http://fordmuscle.com/archives/2003/02/electricfan/index.shtml

Insane3D · Jul 15, 2005

Also, you might might to check out the dual 11" Ramcharger fan. It's a heavy duty OEM unit that should work better than the Taurus fan because it covers more surface area on the radiator. If you buy it without the harness, and make one yourself, it's only about $80 shipped...NEW.

HISSIN50 · Jul 15, 2005

Insane, I have been reading good things here and on other boards about the RC's. I gotta see one in real life sometime; sounds like a nice deal.

Insane3D · Jul 15, 2005

HISSIN50 said:
Insane, I have been reading good things here and on other boards about the RC's. I gotta see one in real life sometime; sounds like a nice deal.

I've got one here ready to go along with a 31" x 19" Griffin. I got the fan without the harness, and I'm currently working on a custom harness with two switches. The fan is *very* solid, and is a OEM quality fan. It is branded by a company called Valeo, which I believe make a lot of OEM fans. I've also heard it's the same fan from some newer Dodge vehicle, but not sure which one. Want some pics?

HISSIN50 · Jul 15, 2005

Insane, Thanks for the info. I read somewhere about an affiliation between RC and/or a parent company and OEM stuff, but I dont recall exact info. Your info sounds good to me.

Pics probably are not necessary - I have seen it in ads and stuff before. once you get it all installed, that would be cool to see (how it fits the radiator, etc).

When my SN95 fan dies, I might give one of those a shot (I am not too impressed with the SN fan). The new fan would sit on a 26" wide alum radiator. Might not fit. LOL.

Like you, I enjoy making my own harnesses and stuff like that.

Good luck with the project. Sounds fun.

Daggar · Jul 15, 2005

sgarlic said:
I'm going to interject my thoughts, although it is probably already too late.

Every time something of mine breaks that was OEM, and has been known to be upgraded, I pretend it was meant to happen, and upgrade. My fan clutch went a year or so ago, and I took the opportunity to do the taurus fan swap. I love it. I (as does Hissin) live in the desert, and I'm all about keeping the car cool in stop and go traffic. I've had terrible luck in my life with mechanical fans not cooling properly in traffic, and I hate the feeling you get watching that gauge crawl up when there's still 20 cars in front of you waiting to move.

That's just my opinion. If you have the cash, I'd go for the electric. A junkyard taurus fan and an auto-zone controller will cost you about the same as a replacement fan blade and fan clutch.

This just brought another thought to mind that I had to toss in there:

I have yet to see any instance where a properly working stock fan/clutch assembly was unable to provide adequate cooling in 'any' driving condition. There have been cases where other cooling system components were bad and nothing but replacement of those components would have made any difference. The reason that I bring this up is because I see LOTS of electric fan installs go bad. If you end up going electric.... do yourself a favor and do it correctly. Keep in mind that you're about to seriously reduce the CFM being pulled through your radiator as well. That engine driven fan pulls a LOT of air.... more than any electric unit.

mustangibew · Jul 15, 2005

It gets pretty dang hot and HUMID here in Missouri. I have a griffin alum radiator and a black magic elec fan. I can thrash my car all day and it doesnt get hot. 90-100 degree days and it doesnt even get past the half way mark. A 180 degree therm and UD pullies on the crank and water pump but not on the alternator. Keep water in the battery and havent had problems for the last 5 years with this fan and radiator set up.

89MustangGX · Jul 15, 2005

I have yet to see an OEM fan that DIDN'T have some cracking around the base of the blades. I have yet to lose one yet, so I'd say as long as the blades aren't loose -- I'd keep running it.

As far as the clutch goes -- it probably will spin fairly easy when cold. It's when it gets hot that it should tighten up and have more resistance.

Just wanted to be sure we're not needlessly replacing good parts...

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