Topic: Replacing Viscous/Mechanical Fan with electric (Read 763 times)

Texaninmass · « **on:** December 18, 2008, 09:28:08 AM »

Replacing Viscous/Mechanical Fan with electric

I am getting ready to put in the radiator in my truck and was thinking about replacing the Viscous/Mechanical Fan with electric. I understand that in addition to better cooling, there will also be horse power gains.

I was thinking of using the dual fans that are on the donor truck. Has anyone used these or heard of any good or bad issues. I looked around on some other sites and could not find anything specific to this. (I am sure it is there but, I could not find the correct links)

Some basic questions are:

Daniel · « **Reply #1 on:** December 18, 2008, 05:14:32 PM »

Greatdivide1 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 18, 2008, 06:45:45 PM »

tex i like where ya going!!!

i have already done this to my truck with great results...
i didnt use duel fans i had one large one that i used. i tested my truck to see when the aux fans in the front came on and thats a fine working temp for theses motors. so what i did was i found the wire that powers the front fans cut it,ran it into the dash put it on a switch,then ran it back out side. i then ran the original wire from the fans up tp a relay and used the relay to turn on the old fans and the new one i mounted. but all are run off the computer and come on and off as the computer see,s fitto do so.... but i have the ability to shut them off with the switch for water crossings...

as for power.... i cannt tell ya howmuch this alone will get ya... as i did this and cut down my intake trumpets and knifed edged my throttle body at the same time...with all that i felt a huge diffrence in the truck... good luck man!!

KevinNY · « **Reply #3 on:** December 18, 2008, 09:46:43 PM »

I could actually feel a noticeable difference when I removed the viscous fan as well. This on my Daihatsu 2.8 Td.

Texaninmass · « **Reply #4 on:** December 19, 2008, 08:31:04 AM »

Hey thanks alot for your help guys! Very helpful infomation. Jimmy also sent me this link that I thought I would post on the site as it si pretty informative.

Great idea on your method for being able to shut off the fans when you need to Don. I had not thought of that at all.

here's the link:

http://www.flex-a-lite.com/auto/210-54997-RAD.pdf

Tex

junkyddog11 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 19, 2008, 07:30:26 PM »

An electric fans fail rate is god knows how much higher than engine driven fans (fact, not just opinion). I would suggest that if your engine is nutless enought to notice a difference when removing the fan there is something going on that requires more attention. The only time I'd ever use one again is if the radiator is someplace where the motor could not drive the fan. I've killed pretty much every electric fan I've ever used. Some in short order, and not cheap ones either.

Texaninmass · « **Reply #6 on:** December 30, 2008, 11:06:45 AM »

Just as a follow up to this, Matt I did not see your reply back to this post till today...and I did the conversion yesterday. It only took about an hour and a half to pull the fans out of the donor and install them in Limey.
I still need to run manual switches into the cab. It is hooked up right now to the AC fan control unit.

I also pulled the fans out of the salvage 97 over at Linders so I have an extra set that I will keep with me just in case.

Matt:
I think you have been driving those high dollar diesels so long Matt you forgot how weak a 3.9 Gasser is:)

A couple of things I noticed:

Every since I lifted her up and put on those 265/75/16's, I have had to manually shift down into 3rd when I was headed up a incline on the highway. I don't have to anymore.

I was pretty blown away by the cooling power, when I switched them on manually I could see the temp drop on the gauge almost instantly.

I guess we'll see what happens but, I am pretty impressed with them so far (And I have back up's in the cab in case of failure (Including the original fan).

Tex

Texaninmass · « **Reply #7 on:** January 02, 2009, 10:02:22 AM »

okay phase two of this project, I was driving this morning and it hit me that I think I really want to trade out the LR radiator for a domestic one. With the electric fans installed I have gained considerable clearance that should help to accomidate a bigger radiator.

A couple of issue that I am not familiar with:

Pressurazation- How does this effect a domestic radiator?

Brand and or model- Any ideas on which type to go with....pricing is a critical element as is functionality

And last but not least- what else is cooled with this radiator? I see the round long cooled finned thing in the front of the condenser...is that for tranny, engine or AC cooling and what are the four lines that go into the radiator for...tranny, engine...etc

Look forward to your comments.

Tex

Follow up post:

A side not to this....if I actually mounted aftermarket coolers on the roof rack on top of the car, do you think the pumps (Engine oil and Tranny) would be effected pushing that far and high. (No worries about the plumbing, I have that figured out if I go that way)

Follow up post:

Just answered this part of the question:

"Notes: w/ Oil Cooler "AFT" radiator has 4 female cooler fittings 2 each - left & right side of tank Disco may require 2 or 4 of # "

Follow up post:

Okay next question, I have a brand new transmission cooler that I have never installed. Can this be used for the oil instead of transmission? If so I wonder if it could me mounted in the radiator area with a dedicated fan for it that would not impact the new radiator?

If not I am liking the roof a lot but not sure about the last coupe of questions pertaining to distance

TightButWillFit · « **Reply #8 on:** January 04, 2009, 07:25:00 PM »

as far as roof, i would be starting to get conserned about top heavyness on your rig, it seems to be offly topheavy as is. as far as the rest goes i havent had a bit of trouble with my radiator and you know how much mud i go through....

the colonel · « **Reply #9 on:** January 04, 2009, 07:35:17 PM »

The rooftop coolers? They seem to be exposed to branches and other trail hazards. I would rethink that!

Need4speed008 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 04, 2009, 08:56:03 PM »

also when bleeding the systems u need to have the fill as the highest point to get all the air out of the system and i think relocating the fluid fills all to the roof rack might be kind of a pain and not worth it

Texaninmass · « **Reply #11 on:** January 05, 2009, 08:03:46 AM »

Sorry I have not been able to even look at the site in a day or three. I am very convinced that I can incorporate a domestic radiator that will give me better protection from the original AND that it can be done without having to go to the extreme of putting coolers on the roof.
I guess I am going to have to do some testing on this as I have not really found anyone that has actually done a Domestic or heard of it being done.

I did talk to some of my Texas Bell/Boeing engineer buddies from college and they had no reservations about it being a viable option, they just have no experience doing it (they think I am insane for owning a Rover

So I will give it a shot and see how it goes.

Ben: I have no idea why you think my truck is top heavy?! Unless you think it is a basic design flaw from the factory...other than a cheap and very light roof rack, (So light I can lift it on and off the roof by myself) maybe 10 pounds of lights and a small chain saw (7 pounds) there is no reason that I am top heavy.

Tom: I agree that a unprotected radiator on the top of the truck would be a target but, if I ever do get the chance to do anything that fun from an engineering perspective, it would be protected and mounted rear center with wire mess and would have a electric fan mounted on the front for thermal control, which would provide more that enough protection....AND don't forget Daniels thoughts that I would probably mount chain saws to the front of the truck to kill trees anyway!

Seriously, thank you guys for all your feedback, it is appreciated!

Tex

TightButWillFit · « **Reply #12 on:** January 06, 2009, 05:21:21 PM »

seems to me and correct me if i am wrong they have steel roofs making them top heavy in the first place, and with what is on yours already plus what you add to the future/fully load it, with the radiatior (even though prob will be aluminum making it not heavy its the fluid) i am just thinking of how tippy the discos are on the trail and putting my 2 cents down......then again you have proven most with that winch so who knows hahaha

Texaninmass · « **Reply #13 on:** January 07, 2009, 02:48:27 PM »

Still loking for anyone that has done the domestic conversion...Tom please go out and market more so I can begin this conversion without being completely in the dark:)

Ben if I did go to the roof it would only be aftermarket coolers for the tranny and/or oil but, in speaking with many buddies that is lloking like it is not going to be necessary.

Also an update on the electric fans, I am really loving them.

Daniel · « **Reply #14 on:** January 07, 2009, 02:57:04 PM »

If you want more feedback, just post this idea on Dweeb, Pirate, or LRO. LMAO!!!

Author Topic: Replacing Viscous/Mechanical Fan with electric (Read 763 times)