Have you tried one of those Spal fan controllers? I bought one, but in process of installing it I managed to briefly touch the ground wire to the positive post and blew the damn thing before I got a chance to test it out. [:@][:@]

http://www.spal-usa.com/ (then click Fan PWM)

I liked their concept enough to buy another one for $80, should be here tomorow... It is fully user programmable, and starts the fan at half speed, and gradually increases speed as the engine temp rises...

 

I've got the Spal 195 degree sensor. Last Saturday I got to give it a real stress test. I got caught in a traffic jam on I-35. Took 1 hour to crawl 1/2 mile. The temperature was between 90 and 95 that time of day. I was really worried the car would overheat...but it did great! At idle, the temp with creep up to 195, and the fanwould click on... full speed. It would take it about 3-4 minutes to bring the engine temp down to 185, where it would click off. then another 3-4 to creep back up..... over and over for the entire hour..it cycled between 185 and 195. The fan clicking on at full speed didn't slow the engine idle down, or put any excessive load on the alternator. Once I got rolling over 20 mph... the fan never came on again.

I like the idea of the controller starting the fan up at 1/2 speed..but I'm convinced now it's not necessary.

 

My $.02 on this subject. I put an electric fan on my '88 5.0. It did a good job & yes, I had replaced the alternator with 3rd gen 100 amp. However, seat of the pants, I only felt a difference when the rpms were above 3,000 and saw no difference in the gas mileage. The fan would work great for short trips, but seemed that when the engine got heat soaked (after a many round town trips) it would have a harder time keeping cool. It would do it, however seemed like it was having a hard time and the guage would fluctuate up and down alot. Put the mechanical fan w/ thermal clutch back on and the car is steady on the guage.

 

Here you go Gold. This may help you make up your mind. They also have a new install at the same location if you are interested. According to them it does make a difference and the amps are around 12 amps.

http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2...cfan/index.php

 

IMO the best cooling combo is a 7 blade fan, thermo clutch, and the right shroud. This combo will do a better job at cooling than any other.

But, IMO,a properly thought out and designed electric fan will get the job done in most cases... the bigger the fan, (CFM wise)the better.

 

I've got a SPAL puller and love it.



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Interestingly, my 01 Dakota has BOTH an electric puller fan and a thermostatic clutch fan. It came that way from the factory. I guess the electric fan is to help out when the engine speed is low and there is a heavy load.

 

Driwash, I really like those mounting tabs for the fan. Where did they come from?

 

Yeah - I was happy with 'em too. Easy way to mount the fan to the rad - just two self tapping sheet metal screws into the rad's edge.

They came as part my Spal 16" curved blade kit from Custom Aluminum Radiator in Kingman AZ. They sold mea whole kit (fan, relays, wiring, temp sensor, sensor in-line fitting for lower radiator hose, mounting brackets) for $210 plus shipping. Not sure if this deal is still available, but you can contact them and see. Their site: www.alumrad.com