GaCamper

My fan clutch needs to be replaced. I was wonder if there is a electric fan that can be used in it's place....If so, what brand and where can one be bought?
If anyone has installed a electric fan on there truck, would you mind sharing the installation process......Thansk

ciamcoop

I just read an article in the Diesel Power magazine. It was the June '07 issue. You may be able to find it online at their web site. The kit is Flex-a-lite. Sounded like a pretty good set up. That's all I know about it. Dual fan setup. They put it on a '97 but there is probably a kit for a 1st gen as well.

GaCamper

Yep I found them......$500.00 plus..OUCH!

Ace

There is no good substitute for the stock fan clutch setup. Others have tried and reported less than satisfactory results. Replacing the clutch is the best option. You could cheap out and pin it, put up with the constant roar. Anything electric is not going to cool well enough to work the truck. If it's strictly a play truck you may get away with it.

loch

Ace normally id agree on elec fans but in this case that kit hes reffering to flows more cfm than the stock fan locked up. Finally someone got elec fan setup that can work. And pinning aint a very good option on our fans, its ok on a gasser but that sudden stop can bite you. My boss did his 94 against my advice and 2 weeks later his fan ate a rad the hoses and got nice bite on the hood.

Now that being said the stock fan is more than enough, if clutch is good and its running warm you need look at other factors.

Boatnik

I read the same article. The twin electric fan setup actually pulls more air than our clutch driven fan. I may need to look into this a lot further since I drive the truck to work everytime.

BC847

Just so folks don't miss it ~

Ref ~ http://www.flex-a-lite.com/auto/html/262-diesel.html





So what is the stock configuration CFM and at what engine RPM?

Ace

I think there's alot more factors than just CFM to consider.

loch

Actually air flow in cfm is the only relivant factor. And if you look at our GVW we are under that weight class, unless you overload the truck. But for my own peace of mind, i'm not the most trusting guy, an elc fan still spooks me a bit, i keep expecting it to die, at least on these setups theres two.

BC847

Not really . .. . BUT!

With our OEM install, we have to worry about ~

1 - The belt breaking.
2 - The clutch failing.
2 - The fan flying apart.


With any electric fan(s) (assuming they meet our demand) ~

1 - The belt breaking.
2 - The thermostat failing.
3 - Is the 36 amps additional load on the alternator gonna be an issue.
4 - The motor(s) failing.
5 - Wiring failure.
6 - Is the 27HP plus the inherent losses of the electrical system including alternator gonna exceed a total of 50HP (assuming about a 50% efficiency), and is that gonna be a problem (see shortened alternator and drive life).
7 - Is $500+ worth it?




. . . . . . . Did I miss something?



Also note ~ the CFM figures quoted in the description are presented as ~ Airflow-Cu. Ft./Min. at 0" Static Pressure

That 0" Static Pressure is important as that quoted is with NO losses through the radiator, intercooler, etc.
Those items do present a restriction to free airflow and will therefore reduce the actual CFM drawn through the "System". Yes, those figures go out the window if the vehicle is in motion. Your mileage may vary.

loch

LOL when i said CFM was the only factor to consider, i was reffering only to the fans ability to move air, elc or man CFM is CFM, i dont run an elc fan simply because of half the issues bc stated. The more complicated the more there is to fail. But it will work, i just dont see my cheap old butt blowing 500 bucks when a 60 buck clutch can do the job.