Ne76K5
Registered Member
just wondering if its worth the cost to switch to electric? 
CK5
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electric fan conversion?
- Thread starter Ne76K5
- Start date
454Sub
5/8 ton status
20$ junkyard Ford Windstar fans. Better than them, fit perfectly. Takes an hour to hook up and get running. Then you can save the last 300$ for something more useful.
To answer your question, yes I think it is worth it. The mechanical fan can be a dangerous piece of equipment. Plus, without that factory shroud taking up all that room, and the slim windstar fans in there, leaves alot more room around the front of the motor.
To answer your question, yes I think it is worth it. The mechanical fan can be a dangerous piece of equipment. Plus, without that factory shroud taking up all that room, and the slim windstar fans in there, leaves alot more room around the front of the motor.
Ne76K5
Registered Member
awesome thanks! i'll have to do some searches on how to hook that up to my 76..
454Sub
5/8 ton status
Do a search on here, plenty of threads for it. I did it and they work great.
Ne76K5
Registered Member
looks like a lot of work!
I don't know if i really want to do this.. my main reasons for wanting to do it are..
#1 warming up faster in winter..
#2 easier to work on while running..
#3 I’ve heard its more efficient
after looking through quite a few threads seems like I might be biting off more than I can chew...
I don't know if i really want to do this.. my main reasons for wanting to do it are..#1 warming up faster in winter..
#2 easier to work on while running..
#3 I’ve heard its more efficient
after looking through quite a few threads seems like I might be biting off more than I can chew...
454Sub
5/8 ton status
If you can swap an auto for a stick, the fans will be easy.
#1 warming up faster in winter..
Thermostat controls engine temp, not fans. No change. If running a clutch fan as you should, the stock fan isn't doing anything anyway.
#2 easier to work on while running..
Assuming your electric fans don't come on. Not really a huge benefit IMO, don't stick your fingers in any fans. But electrics seem to have better "protection" from stuff getting in them.
#3 I’ve heard its more efficient
In what sense? The statement I've seen is that the clutch fans "rob" 5HP from the motor. I have yet to see ANY test of the clutch fan and how much air it moves, so no valid comparison can really be made. Additionally, under normal cruise conditions (the only place these trucks get any sort of mileage) the fan(s) aren't used anyway.
IMO, there are only two valid reasons to change to electric fans: if you need to be able to shut them off for deepwater crossings, or you need maximum cooling at idle (like AC), since electric fans are not dependent on engine RPM for their speed, and thus cooling efficiency.
There ARE side benefits, but up to every individual if the pro's outweigh the cons. For me, they don't, even though I'm running electric fans.
Thermostat controls engine temp, not fans. No change. If running a clutch fan as you should, the stock fan isn't doing anything anyway.
#2 easier to work on while running..
Assuming your electric fans don't come on. Not really a huge benefit IMO, don't stick your fingers in any fans. But electrics seem to have better "protection" from stuff getting in them.
#3 I’ve heard its more efficient
In what sense? The statement I've seen is that the clutch fans "rob" 5HP from the motor. I have yet to see ANY test of the clutch fan and how much air it moves, so no valid comparison can really be made. Additionally, under normal cruise conditions (the only place these trucks get any sort of mileage) the fan(s) aren't used anyway.
IMO, there are only two valid reasons to change to electric fans: if you need to be able to shut them off for deepwater crossings, or you need maximum cooling at idle (like AC), since electric fans are not dependent on engine RPM for their speed, and thus cooling efficiency.
There ARE side benefits, but up to every individual if the pro's outweigh the cons. For me, they don't, even though I'm running electric fans.
Ne76K5
Registered Member
well at the moment im running a flex fan on mine (on there when i bought it and never changed it) i wont be taking her through high water due to this being my DD at this moment there is no shroud on my truck because my fan shreds it.. thank you for clearing some things up for me. also my k5 came with no A/C..
Replace/fix the shroud issue, dump the flex fan (worthless) and you will be doing fine. Missing shroud is a serious problem when it comes to fan efficiency.
blazerbones
1/2 ton status
Looks like dyeager's got you covered with the cheap/best fix advice. x10,000 on fix the fan shroud - that's free efficiency once it's on there.
As far as the cheap windstar fan swap (like stated, it does not have to be very expensive) - There may be (big) benefits only in certain situations also as indicated above.
The extra space in the engine bay has been handy for me many times - personally, that has been big for me.
There are 2 fans side by side (allowing 2 speeds). Either can be on manual switches allowing user control. Either can be on (automatic) temp switches (degreesF of our choice) in the coolant, trans oil, or engine oil systems (at any physical location within the systems that you choose).
By placing (the largest that will fit) "stacked plate" oil (trans/engine) coolers side by side and in front of the radiator (with optimum shrouding as previously stated), the windstar fan upgrade can act very much like a remote oil cooler/aux fan combo assy (which can be big $$$ and/or a pain to mount/plumb). For my suburban, this meant no more stopping in the sand dunes to cool down the TH400 - no matter how hard I push it!
***IF YOU SEE COLD WINTER WEATHER AND USE A GIGANTIC OIL COOLER, YOU NEED TO RUN A TEMP CONTROLLED TRANS OIL BYPASS THAT ELIMINATES FLOW THROUGH THE OIL COOLER UNTIL IT WARMS UP - prevents moisture buildup in the system****
The windstar fan assy with an optimal shroud, combined with the large stacked plate oil coolers in front of the radiator, reduces air flow over the radiator when compared to a (functioning well) clutched mechanical fan setup. This is true especially when the vehicle isn't moving - the mechanical setup does pull some air even when the clutch isn't "engaged". For all of my previous 6.2L trucks, this has meant that the engine will run ~170degreesF on a 25degreeF MI day unless pushing it HARD. My 6.2L coolant thermostats (195degreesF) have seemed to allow some coolant flow even when "closed"...
My M1028 now runs @ 190degreesF on a 25degreeF MI day until I get on the freeway... then it does cool down to 175 or so. In the Summer, it's fine even when towing/hauling (I have a BIG aluminum radiator as well).
I personally prefer a "main fan on" 195degreesF temp switch at the radiator outlet, while monitoring engine head temperature on the dash gage (for tbi smallblock or 6.2Ldiesel engines). Aux fan is there when you need it (for coolant or trans temp issues).
As far as the cheap windstar fan swap (like stated, it does not have to be very expensive) - There may be (big) benefits only in certain situations also as indicated above.
The extra space in the engine bay has been handy for me many times - personally, that has been big for me.
There are 2 fans side by side (allowing 2 speeds). Either can be on manual switches allowing user control. Either can be on (automatic) temp switches (degreesF of our choice) in the coolant, trans oil, or engine oil systems (at any physical location within the systems that you choose).
By placing (the largest that will fit) "stacked plate" oil (trans/engine) coolers side by side and in front of the radiator (with optimum shrouding as previously stated), the windstar fan upgrade can act very much like a remote oil cooler/aux fan combo assy (which can be big $$$ and/or a pain to mount/plumb). For my suburban, this meant no more stopping in the sand dunes to cool down the TH400 - no matter how hard I push it!
***IF YOU SEE COLD WINTER WEATHER AND USE A GIGANTIC OIL COOLER, YOU NEED TO RUN A TEMP CONTROLLED TRANS OIL BYPASS THAT ELIMINATES FLOW THROUGH THE OIL COOLER UNTIL IT WARMS UP - prevents moisture buildup in the system****
The windstar fan assy with an optimal shroud, combined with the large stacked plate oil coolers in front of the radiator, reduces air flow over the radiator when compared to a (functioning well) clutched mechanical fan setup. This is true especially when the vehicle isn't moving - the mechanical setup does pull some air even when the clutch isn't "engaged". For all of my previous 6.2L trucks, this has meant that the engine will run ~170degreesF on a 25degreeF MI day unless pushing it HARD. My 6.2L coolant thermostats (195degreesF) have seemed to allow some coolant flow even when "closed"...
My M1028 now runs @ 190degreesF on a 25degreeF MI day until I get on the freeway... then it does cool down to 175 or so. In the Summer, it's fine even when towing/hauling (I have a BIG aluminum radiator as well).
I personally prefer a "main fan on" 195degreesF temp switch at the radiator outlet, while monitoring engine head temperature on the dash gage (for tbi smallblock or 6.2Ldiesel engines). Aux fan is there when you need it (for coolant or trans temp issues).
blazerbones
1/2 ton status
Oops - forgot to mention that I have caught my index finger in the windstar fan - I don't recommend it, but I was fine. I'm substantially more afraid of wrestling with the stock fan accidentally.
Do you need a shroud and a clutch fan?
Martin
Martin
Ne76K5
Registered Member
i have one floating around my garage somewhere just gotta find it
I run electric fans on both my dd and trail rig. I was for a long time sceptacle of electric fans but after my conversion I will never go back to stock clutch style fans if for no other reason than the added space and ease of working on my truck. There is more room and if I need to remove the radiator and fan there are 3 wires to disconnect and then remove the radiator since the fans are mounted to it. No shroud to disassemble and fan blade to work around removing bolts. I noticed a slight, maybe 1mpg improvement but cant tell any difference in power. Does warm up a little quicker in winter but only by a minute or two.
I used fans from a grand prix, both trucks have aftermarket aluminum radiators and the grand prix fans fit better than the windstar. $25 for fans, $5 relay some electrical connectors and a little wire.
My dd is now ls powered and the pcm conrols fan on/off and trail rig is set up on a switch so I can turn it on/off when I want. I like the auto conrol a little better, I rarely run into a situation where I need to shut them off and Ive caught my engine temps around 240 on the trail cause I forgot to turn on the switch.
Like mentioned, I would ditch the flex fan. All Ive really found them to do is make a lot of noise without much benefit but I dont see any reason why a stock fan/clutch with shroud wont work for you.
I used fans from a grand prix, both trucks have aftermarket aluminum radiators and the grand prix fans fit better than the windstar. $25 for fans, $5 relay some electrical connectors and a little wire.
My dd is now ls powered and the pcm conrols fan on/off and trail rig is set up on a switch so I can turn it on/off when I want. I like the auto conrol a little better, I rarely run into a situation where I need to shut them off and Ive caught my engine temps around 240 on the trail cause I forgot to turn on the switch.
Like mentioned, I would ditch the flex fan. All Ive really found them to do is make a lot of noise without much benefit but I dont see any reason why a stock fan/clutch with shroud wont work for you.
I did the windstar fans for a fun project. I would not necessarily recommend it if you just want your truck to work. Mounting it solidly requires some amount of fabrication unless you just cobble it with zip ties, then you need some way to control them. They draw a ton of current when both on, so you'll need to upgrade your alternator. Even with a 140 amp alternator, my batteries are not charging at idle with the fans and headlights on. I'm still wrapping up loose ends with respect to the current surge when the fans first kick on.
So, IMO, do it if it sounds like a fun project. The space gain in front of the engine is nice. And I suppose the cooling will be better at idle, even though your battery might be running down.
So, IMO, do it if it sounds like a fun project. The space gain in front of the engine is nice. And I suppose the cooling will be better at idle, even though your battery might be running down.
