Slant Six Forum :: Electric fan

I'm figuring while I'm doing my super six install, I might as well and an electric fan. I was looking at a 16" 1300 CFM SPAL.

I'm figuring if I can eek out another 5 to 10 hp along with the super six upgrade, it might be more noticeable.

Quote:

81 D150 came in to my possession with a dreaded 4 blade death fan

I did the electric fan upgrade on my 63 Dart after the 4 blade "death fan" exploded sending a fan blade through the hood. I had already upgraded the charging system to a 60 something amp alternator. I used a 14" fan I had laying around and a $30 fan controller from advance auto. I mounted the fan in the front as a pusher. Great upgrade. Quicker warm up, more throttle response, a bit more "seat of the pants" horse power at the top end. The electric fan only runs when it needs to, no sucking power and fuel to turn it when it is unnecessary.

My 81 D150 came in to my possession with a dreaded 4 blade death fan, it will become a wall hanger before the truck sees the road.

You can do the electric fan upgrade as expensive, or inexpensive as you want. With a salvage yard fan, cost can be kept well under $100 if you don't need charging system upgrades. Even building brackets from scratch, I can easily do the upgrade in a weekend, usually in just a day.

There is a reason that manufactures changed to electric fans years ago. I can't think of any rwd vehicle made with a belt driven fan in the last 10 years. Clutch fans were adequate in their day, but technology has moved on.

Quote:

There is no such thing as free energy. The energy it took to spin the mechnical fan will now be used turning the alternator to generate the increaed amp load to power the fan. Electric fans can draw up to 30+ amps when starting. Depending on the state of your charging system and alternator, you may need to upgrade the alternator and charging system to safely run the fan.

Author:	alansDart75 [ Mon Jan 29, 2018 10:51 am ]
Post subject:	Electric fan
Hi all, I realize there is already a lot of discussion about this out there, but I'm looking for a definitive answer. I'm figuring while I'm doing my super six install, I might as well and an electric fan. I was looking at a 16" 1300 CFM SPAL. I'm figuring if I can eek out another 5 to 10 hp along with the super six upgrade, it might be more noticeable. Thoughts? Recommendations? Thanks in advance Y'all!!

Author:	Reed [ Mon Jan 29, 2018 11:57 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Electric fan
Quote: I'm figuring while I'm doing my super six install, I might as well and an electric fan. I was looking at a 16" 1300 CFM SPAL. I'm figuring if I can eek out another 5 to 10 hp along with the super six upgrade, it might be more noticeable. There is no such thing as free energy. The energy it took to spin the mechnical fan will now be used turning the alternator to generate the increaed amp load to power the fan. Electric fans can draw up to 30+ amps when starting. Depending on the state of your charging system and alternator, you may need to upgrade the alternator and charging system to safely run the fan. Can you alternator handle an additional 30 amp load? Can your charging system wiring? Is the effort and cost worth the upgrade the charging system just to have an electric fan? Only you can say. A clutch fan is a much simpler upgrade that offers the same benefits as an electric fan. The downside to a clutch fan is finding one that will fit in your A body engine bay (I am assuming you are working on a 75 Dart). However, SlantSixDan has discovered that the clutch fan from late 80s Toyota truck products will work on a slant six in an A body. Personally, I wouldn't go looking for extra projects if you don't need to. Do the Super Six upgrade, see how it works, then decide if you want to tackle everything associated with doing a safe and proper upgrade to an electric fan. Or a clutch fan.

Author:	alansDart75 [ Mon Jan 29, 2018 12:44 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Electric fan
Thanks Reed! I think I'll pass on that part then...that was my suspicion. One other question, I do have a six blade fan (same size) and a duct to mount on there...worth it? Will the six blade be more load? Thanks Alan

Author:	Valleyant [ Mon Jan 29, 2018 4:08 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Electric fan
I did the electric fan conversion and upped the alternator to approx. 60 amps output and did notice an engine power increase and a willingness of it to rev higher easily. I think I used a 16" fan and made it into a pusher, so it was mounted in front of the radiator. It really cleaned up the engine bay and made things more quiet.There was faster warm up in the winter but a clutch fan would do the same thing here. Yes the 6 blade fixed fan would be more load...it would have supported an a/c equipped car. What I have determined is that for a car that is used on long trips and is constantly moving...highway etc. the conversion to electric would be good but for a short trip car that is in a lot of stop and go traffic I would stick to the fixed fan just to have the constant air flow in the engine compartment and over the electric bits on the firewall ect. just my 2 cents This was on a '72 Valiant 4dr with 225 and auto and converted to super 6 status.

Author:	Joshie225 [ Mon Jan 29, 2018 4:35 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Electric fan
Bang for the buck, and hours spent, heavily favors the clutch fan. If you don't value your time and want the electrical system upgrades for other reasons then an electric fan has a very slight performance advantage at a much higher installed cost. Don't forget that the 5-10 hp is only at the very top of the RPM range and street cars spend very little time there.

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Author:	tophat [ Mon Jan 29, 2018 5:05 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Electric fan
I did the electric fan upgrade on my 63 Dart after the 4 blade "death fan" exploded sending a fan blade through the hood. I had already upgraded the charging system to a 60 something amp alternator. I used a 14" fan I had laying around and a $30 fan controller from advance auto. I mounted the fan in the front as a pusher. Great upgrade. Quicker warm up, more throttle response, a bit more "seat of the pants" horse power at the top end. The electric fan only runs when it needs to, no sucking power and fuel to turn it when it is unnecessary. My 81 D150 came in to my possession with a dreaded 4 blade death fan, it will become a wall hanger before the truck sees the road. You can do the electric fan upgrade as expensive, or inexpensive as you want. With a salvage yard fan, cost can be kept well under $100 if you don't need charging system upgrades. Even building brackets from scratch, I can easily do the upgrade in a weekend, usually in just a day. There is a reason that manufactures changed to electric fans years ago. I can't think of any rwd vehicle made with a belt driven fan in the last 10 years. Clutch fans were adequate in their day, but technology has moved on.

Author:	DadTruck [ Mon Jan 29, 2018 6:01 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Electric fan
Quote: Quote: 81 D150 came in to my possession with a dreaded 4 blade death fan agree 100% with using pick a part / salvage yard electric fans to cut costs. And some of the advantage of an electric fans are: they are 100% controllable, have multi speed capability and can be used to cool the engine compartment after the motor is shut off, typically electric fans include a well engineered shroud,, well worth the effort. for your 81 D150, check out getting an electric radiator fan from a mid 90's Caravan. near perfect shroud size fit, if wired right you can get a low, medium and super high speed, if you go that route, PM me and I will send you the wiring diagrams

Author:	alansDart75 [ Mon Jan 29, 2018 6:57 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Electric fan
Wow! thanks for all of the responses... Now I'm on the fence again (like after reading all of the previous posts) But I got to thinking...If I have a good strong battery, and run all power to the fan through a good solid fused relay directly to the battery, wouldn't that be enough? Also, if I did go clutch fan, what is a good clutch to use? Thanks

Author:	kesteb [ Mon Jan 29, 2018 7:06 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Electric fan
Interesting, my '06 Dodge truck has a clutch fan and an auxiliary electric fan for the A/C. Most of the foreign rwd cars in the pull-a-part have clutch fans.

Author:	DadTruck [ Mon Jan 29, 2018 7:28 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Electric fan
I have not done it yet, but there are posts that say 95-2000 Ford V6 Contour fans are a nice fit into a mopar A body, I am planning to do this on the 68 Barracuda this spring. Or as soon as it warms up enough to hit the local pull a parts. follow the link below, posting #6 is where the Ford Contour fan discussion starts there is a photo as well as a wiring diagram http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/thr ... an.287386/ this post has photos of the Contour fan install and a parts list in post #13 http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/thr ... er.266073/

Author:	Joshie225 [ Mon Jan 29, 2018 7:48 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Electric fan
Quote: I did the electric fan upgrade on my 63 Dart after the 4 blade "death fan" exploded sending a fan blade through the hood. I had already upgraded the charging system to a 60 something amp alternator. I used a 14" fan I had laying around and a $30 fan controller from advance auto. I mounted the fan in the front as a pusher. Great upgrade. Quicker warm up, more throttle response, a bit more "seat of the pants" horse power at the top end. The electric fan only runs when it needs to, no sucking power and fuel to turn it when it is unnecessary. My 81 D150 came in to my possession with a dreaded 4 blade death fan, it will become a wall hanger before the truck sees the road. You can do the electric fan upgrade as expensive, or inexpensive as you want. With a salvage yard fan, cost can be kept well under $100 if you don't need charging system upgrades. Even building brackets from scratch, I can easily do the upgrade in a weekend, usually in just a day. There is a reason that manufactures changed to electric fans years ago. I can't think of any rwd vehicle made with a belt driven fan in the last 10 years. Clutch fans were adequate in their day, but technology has moved on. My 2015 Nissan Frontier has a clutch fan. I think you'll find clutch fans common in RWD applications. Buyer's Guide : HAYDEN 2683 Radiator Fan Clutch TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2003-2009 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER 2007-2009 TOYOTA TACOMA 2005-2015 TOYOTA TUNDRA 2005-2011 Buyer's Guide : HAYDEN 6630 Radiator Fan Clutch LEXUS GX460 2010-2015 LEXUS LX570 2008-2017 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER 2008-2017 TOYOTA SEQUOIA 2008-2017 TOYOTA TUNDRA 2007-2017 Buyer's Guide : HAYDEN 2744 Radiator Fan Clutch CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1500 1996-2013 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 2500 1996-2015... None of my 4-blade slant six fans ever failed. My road racing '66 Dart spun 5800 RPM repeatedly with the "death fan".

Author:	wjajr [ Tue Jan 30, 2018 6:15 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Electric fan
Mrs. wjajr's 2007 Nitro 3.7L 4x4 with tow package has both electric and clutch fan as does Jeep Liberty with same equipment.

Author:	Charrlie_S [ Tue Jan 30, 2018 6:55 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Electric fan
Quote: Quote: I'm figuring while I'm doing my super six install, I might as well and an electric fan. I was looking at a 16" 1300 CFM SPAL. I'm figuring if I can eek out another 5 to 10 hp along with the super six upgrade, it might be more noticeable. There is no such thing as free energy. The energy it took to spin the mechnical fan will now be used turning the alternator to generate the increaed amp load to power the fan. Electric fans can draw up to 30+ amps when starting. Depending on the state of your charging system and alternator, you may need to upgrade the alternator and charging system to safely run the fan. True, there is no such thing as free energy, but there is wasted energy. A fixed fan uses energy, whether it needs to be used or not. Actually uses more engine energy, at speed, where it is least needed. An electric fan uses energy only when needed, at low speeds, and shuts off at higher road speeds. It is true, that the staring current draw can be in the 30 amp range, but it is only for a two to three seconds. After that the current is generally less then 10 amps, while running at low road speeds, and zero at higher road speeds.

Author:	Dart270 [ Tue Jan 30, 2018 8:38 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Electric fan
I have never upgraded a charging system for electric fan usage. That said, I rarely sit in traffic at/near idle. Pick your poison... Lou

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Author:	Reed [ Tue Jan 30, 2018 9:28 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Electric fan
I debate how much energy is actually wasted with a fixed fan. The energy draw for a fixed fan will be highest when the vehicle is stationary, but that is exactly when you need the fan to be working. Once the vehicle is moving the fan takes less energy to turn because it is not pulling the air across it. The air is already moving across it thereby reducing drag. Those dyno tests you see where fixed fans are compared to clutch and electric and no fans are really deceiving and not accurate. If they were accurate they would be performed with at least a radiator in front of the engine and a fan blowing air at 40-60 MPH. The switch to electric fans was driven largely by the change to front wheel drive engines that are mounted transversely making it impossible for the accessory drive belts to power a radiator fan. RWD vehicles with the traditional longitudinally mounted engines kept clutch fans all the way into the 2000s (my brother recently purchased an 03 Durango that has the above mentioned primary clutch fan with an auxilliary electric fan for the AC), but RWD vehicles are in the minority of vehicle production. Honestly, I don't think switching to a clutch fan or electric fan will make much of a noticeable difference in power or economy in a daily driver. However, I plan on switching my 76 D100 to an electric fan (a) because I have the parts already and (b) because it will be quieter. The stock 7 blade fan is very loud. I don't anticipate faster warmups since the thermostat opens based on the temp of the coolant in the block, not the radiator. I also don't expect to get any better fuel economy or performance. But other people might have different results.