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Electric Fan Recommendations

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Big6ft6

1/2 ton status
Joined
Apr 26, 2010
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Location
Madison, WI
Can anyone recommend a cost-effective electric fan set up for my 89 2500 350 TBI burban?

I'm having problems with the factory fan hitting the shroud even when I go up slight inclines (city driving not crawling).

I've looked at summit racing and Be Cool has a set up for suburbans but it is 5500 cfm and costs lie $400!!

I'm going to intall a front hitch mount in my truck...that might cure the flexy frame causing fan/shroud clearance issues. However if it doesn't an electric fan would seem slick. But I don't know the pros/cons or $$$$.
 
more likely failing body mounts, not frame flex....

junkyard windstar fans are by far the cheapest route and put out a ton of air.. but it isn't just a bolt up deal....
 
You have some bad body bushings or missing bolts in them if the fan hits the shroud.
 
ryoken said:
more likely failing body mounts, not frame flex....

junkyard windstar fans are by far the cheapest route and put out a ton of air.. but it isn't just a bolt up deal....
Click to expand...

Yes, you're right failing body mounts very likely:whistle:

Is there a write-up anywhere on using the windstar fans?? I'm not afraid of all work....just hard work.:D
 
got one...for future searchres see this.
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=267400&highlight=windstar


I put new body mount bushings/bolts in at the radiator support. But I'm still having trouble. The rest seem to be in place. But I have some pretty significant rust on my fenders/wheel wells etc that all compromises the structural integrity of the body. I'm thinking a fan might be easier than fixing the body issue.
 
not a particular one that i know of.. maybe in a few build threads... the windstar shroud isn't too far off, usually it just requires like 4 L brackets made... the only 2 i remember off the top of my head are mine and Lunatic's, and both are full blown custom.. but at least Lunatic's uses the windstar shroud, mines a custom shroud...

you can go aftermarket and get a pretty "bolt-in" affair.... black magics, etc.. but as you learned that can get pricey..... might wanna peak thru summit again and see if they have a more generic setup with universal brackets.. maybe a summit one or something...


windstar setups can usually be had for around $50 or so.. think mine was out of a 95, 96 something like that...
 
I picked up a set for 40 bucks works better then I thought, originally I was going to by aftermarket, but then I saw the prices for 'new', what the hell is the difference between 'new' and junkyard? nothing! Even if you have to replace a fan motor, its still cheaper then buying a new set! Matter of fact I will go out to the truck and get a pic just for you! Damn that rainis cold. Here you go, $40 and an afternoon, piece of mind priceless!

fan pic in the freezing rain.jpg
 
Dang Mudbuggy!! I just got done reading a thread on the windstar install and once I started reading "relays" and "fuse box" I started leaning back towards replacing the body on the truck!:haha:

You put them in during a single afternoon? Are you an electrical engineer?
 
ryoken said:
you can go aftermarket and get a pretty "bolt-in" affair.... black magics, etc.. but as you learned that can get pricey..... might wanna peak thru summit again and see if they have a more generic setup with universal brackets.. maybe a summit one or something...
Ryoken..yeah there are much cheaper single fans in the summit catalog (fan + shroud = $180)...but I have no way of knowing if they flow enough air for my truck. They don't give a lot of info.

it seems that you shouldn't need a ton of air flow since your fan is only important when sitting still correct? I guess that matters in a traffic jam...but normally at hwy speeds the air flow through radiator is sufficient right? Except I do want to tow.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Nope, did it hillbilly style, I have a master switch on the kick panel in the cab that controls two relays (one for each fan, each fan pulls 24.5amps. One bosch relay is rated safely to 30 amps). When the light is white, then I can cross deep water, when the light is red, danger the fans are on!. I have recently gotten the parts for the fan to run automated (like factory but with the deep water fording switch) That morning I blew the upper radiator hose, which in turn grabbed the fan, which in turn gernaded into the original radiator, so I spent the rest of the morning getting the rig home. After lunch, the radiator showed up at my house (btw is the wrong one, I needed one for a 350, the one I have is for a 454(3 core compared to 4 core)) So that afternoon I changed out the radiator, fabricated upper brackets, fabricated a power block with outlets for 30 (yes 30 separate) wiring power supplies, fabricated the mounts for the e fan, and wired it up. The only thing I forgot to do was to put antifreeze in the truck. Started it up, and couldn't figure out why I wasn't getting any heat in the cab, til I remembered that I hadn't put any fluid in it. Once I added the fluid, man was there heat! Never claimed to be a mechanic, only a diesel fabricator!!! Murphy was pissed at me that day!
 
I have the Flex a lite dual fan setup that pulls something like 4600cfm or something. Yeah, it was $375 roughly, but it works good and is bolt in basically.

And yes, when you are traveling at a higher rate of speed, the fans shouldn't need to come on. If you have a 180* stat, set your fans to come on at about *200-205* any lower and they might try and stay on more than they need to.
 
howd the flexalites treat you so far? i remember when i was looking at fans for my car i came across an article that said roughly per 1000 cfm the fan should be pulling around 10 amps, any truth to this? that info along with price made me go with a derale 4000 cfm fan, it draws like 50 amps and is on summit for ~$220
 
snotrocket what else did you need to install the derale? You had to buy a thermostat/switch, otherwise not too hard to install? Working o.k.?
 
i needed a thermostatic fan controller, the fan came with a mounting system, its really easy to hookup especially if youre good with wiring. me and a friend did it on his chevelle and it ran mint, really pulled alot of air. we did put in a bigger alternator because the fan draws alot of power. i'd say its definetly worth it but have yet to see how it performs in the middle of a summer heat wave. others who i've talked to have not had trouble keeping cool with them. I know its not on MY car but i have the indentical set up and would imagine the outcome would be identical (i have a big block but its not as hairy as his small block). by the way, hes keeping cool a 355 with ~11 to 1 compression, big cam (dont know specs) edelbrock RPM heads, non coated headers and no AC. we ran it and drove it around hard for a week before he took it off the road to have more work done to it and it stayed cool, it went from ~205-210 with a flex fan to ~180-190max with the electric fan
 
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