Questions About Electric Fans

93cobrah · 02-18-2002, 08:34 PM

What's the big advantage of having a electric fan. The previous owner of my 89GT installed one it has been a headache for me keeps going out. In the process of re-wiring it or taking it out all together. Need some feedback should I keep it or install the more reliable stock fan

Mustang_289 · 02-18-2002, 09:12 PM

HP gain over stock fan! Extends water pump life and increases gas mileage - less drag on engine. Allows greater control of fan operation; e.g. long idles, etc.

We installed a flex-a-lite BlackMagic fan that's working out well. I would stay with the electric fan instead of going back to the stock fan/clutch assembly.

Rev · 02-18-2002, 09:28 PM

I tried several electric fans on my '66. Actually, I first installed double fans, both 16" pusher and puller. The problem I had was reliability with the after markmet fans failing way too soon.

The most I got was 6 months of use form any one fan, I finally put in a primary "flex" mechanical fan and an auxillary pusher electric fan that I actuate manually when needed (with a life time warranty from O'Reilly) mounted in front of the radiator.

I probably replaced 4-5 electric fans from various sources (some in warranty and some not) before I settled on this set up.

Rev

Coupe5oh · 02-18-2002, 09:38 PM

Rev have you tried the black magic fan? i had mine about a yr, has been real reliable, But just last week, the spade connector came loose after a couple hard 4500 rpm launches, but i just had to crimp it back on, no other problems.

LOWKEY · 02-18-2002, 11:14 PM

I've had zero problems with my setup, cools great too. Check out http://www.geocities.com/smithmonte for more info on the mark VIII fan and 3G alternator. I highly recommend using a coolant fan switch with the Bosch 75amp relay.. More info on 3g..http://fordmuscle.com/archives/2001/...e/index2.shtml

gtsr515 · 02-19-2002, 01:57 PM

Electric fans are not necessary till you start making some serious power, when your at full throttle going down the track, you could reach out a grab the fan and it would stop, there is very little drag on the motor until the clutch in the fan engages.

put the stocker on there and forget the headache.

Mustang_289 · 02-19-2002, 05:47 PM

Understand what you're saying about electric fans and not needed on the track. I would guess - the great majority of
stang owners are weekend warriors and drive their cars on
the roads in all kinds of conditions.

When the fan clutch kicks in - there is indeed a drag on the motor. I say stay with the electric fan - what do you have to lose - a little re-wiring work? Make sure all your wires and connections are good with solder and don't rely on the provided "wimp crimps" sometimes called ez connectors or crimp connectors.

gtsr515 · 02-19-2002, 06:54 PM

It's obvious there are two distinct trains of thought here, but just to reply to what you say "what do you have to lose" is if you have electrical problems, you got no fan. my way you do.

Mustang_289 · 02-19-2002, 09:12 PM

I understand what you're saying, but if you want to look at it - what happens if the cheap factory spring-loaded fan clutch fails isn't your fan just spinning in the wind?

gtsr515 · 02-19-2002, 09:21 PM

The factory clutch fan is not spring loaded, it is thermostatically controlled, like i said earlier, when making a pass, and the car is cool, as it should be, the fan is spinning free, with little or no drag.

02-18-2002, 08:34 PM	#1
93cobrah Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: S.O. CALIF Posts: 39	Questions About Electric Fans What's the big advantage of having a electric fan. The previous owner of my 89GT installed one it has been a headache for me keeps going out. In the process of re-wiring it or taking it out all together. Need some feedback should I keep it or install the more reliable stock fan __________________ 93 cobra #3786 bbk cold air induction 3.73's,tri-ax shifter bbk headers, h-pipe flowmaster catback exhaust, triple chrome plated 17" original factory cobra wheels (Garage Queen) 89GT k/n pro 5.0 shifter flows,electric fan triple chrome plated 16" pony wheels (daily driver)

02-18-2002, 09:28 PM	#3
Rev Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Houston, Tx. Posts: 3,887	I tried several electric fans on my '66. Actually, I first installed double fans, both 16" pusher and puller. The problem I had was reliability with the after markmet fans failing way too soon. The most I got was 6 months of use form any one fan, I finally put in a primary "flex" mechanical fan and an auxillary pusher electric fan that I actuate manually when needed (with a life time warranty from O'Reilly) mounted in front of the radiator. I probably replaced 4-5 electric fans from various sources (some in warranty and some not) before I settled on this set up. Rev __________________ '66 Coupe, 306, 350-375 HP, C-4, 13.07 e.t., 104.8 mph, 1/4 mi. O.B.C. #2 '66 coupe

02-18-2002, 09:38 PM	#4
Coupe5oh Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: SanAntonio, Tx Posts: 734	Rev have you tried the black magic fan? i had mine about a yr, has been real reliable, But just last week, the spade connector came loose after a couple hard 4500 rpm launches, but i just had to crimp it back on, no other problems. __________________ Police package 5spd 90 Lx, Stock original motor, 3.27grs, BM fan, fms 10.5 clutch, D&D quadrant, and adjuster, ADS chip, 180 stat, mac cai, mac h-pipe, mac subframe connectors, ASP crank pulley, ripper shifter, 26x10.5 M/T sport pros welds. 246 hp according to analyzer Race weight: 3,120 E.t-13.57 with 26x10.50's e.t. streets. 1.88 60' mph- 99.92 mph

02-18-2002, 11:14 PM	#5
LOWKEY Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: greenvile, NC Posts: 161	I've had zero problems with my setup, cools great too. Check out http://www.geocities.com/smithmonte for more info on the mark VIII fan and 3G alternator. I highly recommend using a coolant fan switch with the Bosch 75amp relay.. More info on 3g..http://fordmuscle.com/archives/2001/...e/index2.shtml __________________ 89' Notch Stroked Poked & BLOWN low 11's and it goes around corners too Parts for Sale!! http://www.lowkey.stangnet.com/catalog.html

02-19-2002, 01:57 PM	#6
gtsr515 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Sunny, Hot, Sebring, Florida Posts: 725	Electric fans are not necessary till you start making some serious power, when your at full throttle going down the track, you could reach out a grab the fan and it would stop, there is very little drag on the motor until the clutch in the fan engages. put the stocker on there and forget the headache. __________________ Remember...2nd place is 1st place for losers!

02-18-2002, 09:12 PM	#2
Mustang_289 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 512	HP gain over stock fan! Extends water pump life and increases gas mileage - less drag on engine. Allows greater control of fan operation; e.g. long idles, etc. We installed a flex-a-lite BlackMagic fan that's working out well. I would stay with the electric fan instead of going back to the stock fan/clutch assembly.

02-19-2002, 05:47 PM	#7
Mustang_289 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 512	Understand what you're saying about electric fans and not needed on the track. I would guess - the great majority of stang owners are weekend warriors and drive their cars on the roads in all kinds of conditions. When the fan clutch kicks in - there is indeed a drag on the motor. I say stay with the electric fan - what do you have to lose - a little re-wiring work? Make sure all your wires and connections are good with solder and don't rely on the provided "wimp crimps" sometimes called ez connectors or crimp connectors.

02-19-2002, 06:54 PM	#8
gtsr515 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Sunny, Hot, Sebring, Florida Posts: 725	It's obvious there are two distinct trains of thought here, but just to reply to what you say "what do you have to lose" is if you have electrical problems, you got no fan. my way you do. __________________ Remember...2nd place is 1st place for losers!

02-19-2002, 09:12 PM	#9
Mustang_289 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 512	I understand what you're saying, but if you want to look at it - what happens if the cheap factory spring-loaded fan clutch fails isn't your fan just spinning in the wind?

02-19-2002, 09:21 PM	#10
gtsr515 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Sunny, Hot, Sebring, Florida Posts: 725	The factory clutch fan is not spring loaded, it is thermostatically controlled, like i said earlier, when making a pass, and the car is cool, as it should be, the fan is spinning free, with little or no drag. __________________ Remember...2nd place is 1st place for losers!

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