Hey guys, I have a 71 skylark 455 with a/c and im looking for either a single or dual electric cooling fan(s). Im looking for a budget friendly fan, I know the flex a lite fans are nice but I don't want to spend that right now. So tell me what you guys are running, thanks.
A cheap electric fan (or two) is a great way to cook the engine. It takes a REAL electric fan to cool an engine that makes power. You'd be WAY ahead to use a stock-style fan and fan clutch system.
I have used these for years without any issues. You can get them anywhere. I get them from KLQ autoparts and they will give you a lifetime warrenty with them. I have them throw the plugs in with them. I use a TS87 temp switch and relay to run them. This came in a lot of cars.
Do some research on Lincoln MKVIII/Ford Taurus electric fans. They're an extremely popular retrofit into classic cars/hot rods. It's whats been in my green car since the resto, not a hiccup.
Stick with the stock clutch fan and shroud. No reason to go with electric fans unless you have a problem keeping it cool or you have extra money burning a hole in your pocket.
X 2 My sense tells me if the engineers thought this was a good idea, they would have installed electric fans in all our cars. Years ago, I built a warmed over Stage 1 motor for my old '72 Stage 1. Typical machining/mods for the very early 90's. One of which was a flex fan (with the factory shroud). I had problems with the car running hotter than I'd have liked and once I put the factory clutch fan back on and installed a 180° thermostat (where there previously hadn't been one) my temp never got over 185°. Even on a hot August New England day. A good working clutch fan with a shroud should suffice.
Anything that the scrap yard has! Any of them will do what you are looking for and last longer than you will. I've been running electric fans for over 15 years and on all of them there are days that unless I get stuck in traffic the fans NEVER come on. I have also been stuck in traffic on a 100 deg day and the fans will cycle on and off. Why do you think all the newer vehicles run electric? How often has anyone had to change the electric fans on a new car? Just about the only vehicles out today that have mechanical fans are the diesel HD trucks. They only need it because of the towing loads. Yes a mechanical fan can put more air through a radiator than an electric but it is not needed in most of our builds. I also LOVE not having to work around the shroud to do any front engine work! Mike
Agree with you Mike. Ive been running a fan this whole time, the only reason I need a new one is because I installed A/C pulleys and that didnt leave room for my current fan. Need something skinnier.
Why run electric fans?..... ummmm, more cooling, more hp, better fuel mileage, quicker revving, less wear on your water pump, makes the engine easier to work on with no huge shroud or fan in the way, safer to work on with it running. Reasons not to: it's cheaper if you already have the stock set up. If you buy good fans it's just as, if not more, reliable than a clutch fan. As stated, factory fan set ups off some higher performance v8 cars work really well. Lincoln Mark VIIIs like Shawn said are the most desired. I run dual Derales on a shroud that fits my stock size 3 core Champion radiator on my 673 hp 748 ft lb 13.5 compression big motor, and the car will idle all day long in traffic and never get above 160. Ever. Every custom car I have has electric fans and always have. Theres just no reason not to run electric if you buy good quality stuff other than the stock stuff works ok and you've already got it.
