1998rollover
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- November 10, 2008
- Messages
- 222
- Reaction score
- 11
- City, State
- Weiser, ID
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1998 Mountaineer
1998 5.0 Mountaineer, was getting 16~17 MPG in a mix of city, highway (55-65 MPH) and freeway (75 MPH) use.
After putting the Contour fans on with my homebuilt dual speed controller it's over 20 MPG in a mix of city and highway driving. It's been off on a long run on the freeway today, will figure the overall MPG since previous fill-up soon.
I'd say the electric fan swap is well worth it, especially since the fans at $65 were the most expensive part.
The relays and other electronic components were free, so was the piece of fiberglass perf-board I used to mount the relay sockets. I had to buy the relay sockets and the Radio Shack 276-168B circuit board, a Radio Shack project box to mount the electronics in, three wiring connectors to connect the control box and some wiring loom mounts from NAPA. I got the Ford ECT and connector for $5 from a wrecking yard. The brass 90 degree elbow to mount the ECT to the water neck was a few bucks. I already had all the wire it needed as leftovers from many other projects.
Total cost has to be well under $200, which if it gets 20+ MPG average will quickly pay for itself.
I'm still debating with myself whether or not to add an overdrive cutout to the air conditioner relay which turns the fans on low speed with the AC. The fans work normally with the ECT input in any case.
After putting the Contour fans on with my homebuilt dual speed controller it's over 20 MPG in a mix of city and highway driving. It's been off on a long run on the freeway today, will figure the overall MPG since previous fill-up soon.
I'd say the electric fan swap is well worth it, especially since the fans at $65 were the most expensive part.
The relays and other electronic components were free, so was the piece of fiberglass perf-board I used to mount the relay sockets. I had to buy the relay sockets and the Radio Shack 276-168B circuit board, a Radio Shack project box to mount the electronics in, three wiring connectors to connect the control box and some wiring loom mounts from NAPA. I got the Ford ECT and connector for $5 from a wrecking yard. The brass 90 degree elbow to mount the ECT to the water neck was a few bucks. I already had all the wire it needed as leftovers from many other projects.
Total cost has to be well under $200, which if it gets 20+ MPG average will quickly pay for itself.
I'm still debating with myself whether or not to add an overdrive cutout to the air conditioner relay which turns the fans on low speed with the AC. The fans work normally with the ECT input in any case.
