Ford F150 - What electric fans should I use to convert my 95F150-4.9L?

Hi All

I am considering swapping an electric fan or fans into my 95F150.
4.9L Big Six 5spd, AC.

I already read the How To article but that does not cover potential donor fans.

I have a 97 Taurus that finally gave up it's tranny so I have that option.
Is there anything better of more efficient I should look for?
We have a uPull and Pay here in town so I have inexpensive access to most makes and models of donor cars.
Anyone have any thoughts or advice on this?

Last question, Should I keep this here or post this in the Electrical section?

Thanks in advance.
Bill

I'd say the pre-'97 might have been a better place to post, but it doesn't really matter.

The efficiency of the fan isn't a real consideration since an e-fan isn't more efficient than a mechanical. If you want an e-fan, use whatever you have, or whatever you can make fit. But don't expect any noticeable change in MPG - if there is one, it'll be LOWER. For an e-fan to pay off, the PCM has to be programmed to turn it off when it's not needed, and that would be based on a LOT more than just coolant temp in one location (like even the most expensive fan controller would offer).

The only practical advantage to putting an e-fan on an old truck is that you can turn it off before fording deep water.

But the main reason I swapped was that my fan clutch went out, and I had some e-fans lying around, so it cost me less than a new clutch. I don't remember what my fans came from.

Thanks for the info Steve83.

I'm kinda surprised though about the mpg.
I had always heard that removing the rotating mass of the fan and clutch would free up HP and therefore get better mileage.

I'm not sure I understand how it would actually go down.

Here is a link in case you decide to use the fan you have.

http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2003 ... /index.php

I always heard the world was flat & the sound barrier was unbreakable. "Popular" beliefs aren't always "correct".

When you remove that little bit of rotating mass (which behaves like a flywheel - a feature of all 100+mpg vehicles), you add a HUGE load to the alternator. It takes power from the engine off the same belt that used to directly drive the fan. But now, that power gets converted to electricity, flows thru several feet of wiring & some connectors, then gets converted back to mechanical energy before accomplishing ANY useful work. All of that stuff reduces the efficiency compared to a simple mechanical fan.

It's true about the load on the altenator, but if you put a thermostat on fans so they only run when needed(don't forget either a seperate fan for the A/C or to bypass the thermostat when the A/C is on if you have A/C) then you should only using the fans at a stop or low speeds. Once on the road they should rarely if ever turn on. You will see some savings, but it depends more on your driving habits.

Of course with the higher load on your battery and your altenator, you will need to keep an eye on them. big loads on old electrical parts can sometimes cause those old/weak parts to fail unexpectedly.

If you blow your altenator you'll spend the money from your fuel savings over the next few years just to replace it...

The mechanical fan already had a thermostatic clutch, so putting an equivalent system on the e-fan still won't make it MORE efficient or economical. It'll always be LESS efficient.

It takes a MUCH more complex control system than a simple t'stat to make an e-fan efficient.