electric fan to come?

[thewishkah]

Yesterday as I was opening the radiator drain I inspected my fan and noticed 1 or 2 moderate cracks in the ring between the blades, so instead of replacing it and having to deal with the fan clutch which likes to get stuck and almost impossile to get off I was thinking of going with an electric fan and freeing up some power while I was at it. Here is my question's...
1)Is there a direct bolt in replacment that includes ALL needed parts?
2)How hard is it to mount?
3)Over stock, what is the cost?
4)How hard is it to wire up with relay?
5)How much power will it drain?
6)Is there a way to make it run when ever I start the engine and keep it running?(my truck runs pretty hot and I would want constant cooling)

 

[aldive]

Take a look at the following:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=140251&highlight=electric+fan

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75371&highlight=electric+fan

 

[Josef86]

I hear the 180 Black Magic is really good. I believe it draws only 18 amps.
Dead Link Removed

 

[410Fortune]

Okay before you go rushing into this just know a couple of things.
An electric fan will only have a little bit of power gain over a working stock fan clutch.
The replacement parts you need for your cracking fan are not expensive, especially if your clutch is working.
The clutch is a snap to remove/install with the correct tools.

An electric fan will tax your aging electrical system, which may require attention/upgrades adding more cost.

Just stuff to think about......

 

[spindlecone]

Flex-a-lite 180 will serve you well

 

[EMG7895]

I wouldnt worry about the cracks, mine has been cracked for years and is even missing a few chunks out of it and still works fine.

 

[trucku]

I will be pulling out my clutch fan assembly in a week or 2 and going electric. I don't know if the fans are the same on a 2002 as your year, but your welcome to it if it fits. Your in Brooklyn and I am in Queens so let me know if your gonna hold of on it and when I take out my fan you can come pick it up no cost.

 

[BrooklynBay]

What brand of electric fan did you decide to go with?

 

[trucku]

Perma Cool

Spal Fan Controller


Got Fan from ebay for 49 shipped used. The controller is new. Got it from ebay for 80, but I was hasty the site above it cheaper shipped. The fan has a 9amp current draw, which made me happy since I am running my stock alternator.

 

[thewishkah]

I havent decided on which one, and Im not to worried about the draw, I have a 130amp alt which is only about 2 years old. Trucku thanks for the offer I am not sure if its the same or not maybe someone can chime in , that would be great. I have heard that the stock fan w/clutch takes approx 10hp away from the engine this could be wrong and if I am I hope someone will tell me, anyway Thanks for all the quick replies.

 

[spindlecone]

I wouldnt worry about the cracks, mine has been cracked for years and is even missing a few chunks out of it and still works fine.

yep, they work fine, until one breaks loose and takes out the rad, the hose, or the hood, good luck

 

[trucku]

Hey Thewishkah
No problem on the offer.
You say your truck runs hot. Have you backflushed your radiator? Get some Prestone flush too and recommended thermostat. . I got my truck 2 years old and my radiator fluid was filthy. After the flush now my fluid has remained prestine and green. This might get rid of your hot problem.

The spal controller has to modes. It runs at 60% fan speed at a lower temp you set and then switches to full speed at a higher temp you set.

 

[thewishkah]

Yeah I flushed the fluid yesterday for the second time in 4 days just to get it pristine and nice and clean and now its running pretty good, but I just want to keep it cool as possible.I put in a new t-stat last year I believe it was ethier 180 or 195 i dont remember.

 

[410Fortune]

replace your cracked fan! the replacement is like $35

 

[peties3]

OK, I bought the Black majic 150 by Flexalite but it would not clear the water pump!!! Also, I settled for a 16" imperial E-fan but I don't think it pulls enough CFM. Any suggestions on the BM fan? Seams as though it is the fan of preferrence here is there much difference between the 1st gens and the 2nd gen explorers?? pLEASE ADVISE!!
Mark

 

[aldive]

I had zero clearance issues with either the Black Magic 150 or 180.

 

[unpredictable1]

I had zero clearance issues with either the Black Magic 150 or 180.

Is that because you have a second gen?

 

[aldive]

Might be; I have never seen it on a 1st generation.

 

[CDW6212R]

The 91-94's are similar, but the fans don't swap. The 95-01's have 4" of clearance tops.

BTW, I had an alternator die in my 91, and a junkyard later model unit is amazing compared to the older units. If you have issues with an old model alternator, get a late 90's model from an OHV 4.0 V6.

For best cooling, use as little antifreeze as possible. Water cools better than antifreeze. Add some Water Weter for about $8, and less than a gallon total of antifreeze. Use a 180 thermostat for overheating and older vehicles. Later models, say mid 90's and newer, should use a 195 thermostat. The later model radiators run much cooler. Good luck,

 

[peties3]

Great info. there CDW!!!!

I found out also, somebody correct me if I am way off base here but an overfilled radiator will cause cooling issues as well. What is different about the later modeled altenators? Other than they may put out higher amps?

I had 4" clearance between the rad. and the water pump. I ordered a permacool fan, 16" and rated at 2900 CFM at 9 amps and the depth of the fan is like 3 5/8".

Mark