I run one on everything. I wired the Mustang into the ignition switch, then to a toggle switch to a 30 amp relay. That way I can turn it off and on. You will need a relay because most switches aren't rated for the kind of amperage it takes to start the fan. I like mine. On the mustang it was worth about 5 mpg over the heavy-duty clutch fan. Went from 18 to around 23-24 by just changing the fan. Also freed up a little power.
I'm confused, you ran a wire to the ignition switch??behind the dash and then put in a toggle after the ignition???
I am sure the wire ran to the ignition is just cause its "HOT" when its on and its "NOT" when its off. Some fans are very quite and if you wire it to a constant "HOT" you might forget and leave it on, then you get in your car a few hours later and have a dead battery.
Clutch or Flex fan I was just looking under my hood at the fan...I have a factory flex fan on my 1975 Comet, no clutch. I will be changing it soon. What electric fan did you use? brand/model.
I am running a Flex-A-Lite 150 Universal Fit fan, and it was pretty easy to install, and fits the Mav radiator nicely. I just followed the directions and wired it up. It needed a constant power source which came with a circuit breaker and I hooked it up to the battery terminal on the starter relay. Then there is the ground and the switched wire you need to run. I ran the switched to a switched source (instead of running it to a constant as well) so it wouldn't run with the key off until the temps drops below the set temp. This fan had a "computer" running it with an adjustable thermostat from 180 to 240, so you can adjust it to come on and turn off at any temp in that range. So depending on what type of fan you have this info might be of no interest and/or relevance to you. Good luck, and if you need the directions on this fan, I can scan them in and email them to you. -Corbin
I stole a sensor off of a escort which is grounds itself when the temp gets too high . I hooked up to a relay as previously mentioned EXCEPT I insulated the relay from the frame . I ran the wire from the sensor (from the escort ) to the relay and hooked it up to the ground side . When the temp gets too high it will automatically cut in . If you want to override the sensor you could put a switch in the ground circuit (to the frame or ground ) . That way you can bypass the sensor circuit and ground the relay manually .
Fan You can get an adjustable thermostatic switch at your local Schucks or autozone or whatever for about $20.00 or so. They come with really easy directions and take about 10 minutes to install. Then just pick your favorite electric fan (anything you can get to mount to your radiator will do, given enough cfm) I'd say 1200cfm or so for a stock motor and you'll have no problem. I set mine very low (comes on at about 150*f). you can set yours to taste. The best thing is you get to pitch your mechanical fan over your shoulder! If you're brave and lucky you can get a fan out of a wrecking yard that will fit and flow enough for about 5 or 10 bucks and you're on your way. I always wire them direct to the battery with a fuse or circuit breaker rather than to the ignition, but that's just me.
That's what I'm hoping to do... now that it's cooled off some I may finally hit the yard. Any ideas on what cars to hit or just peek under all the new stuff?
I'd take some measurement before you gao and just keep in mind when you get there that the newer the rig, the better designed the fan will no doubt be. Lots of the imports have been using very efficient electric fans for years. Don't forget to measure the distance from the flange on the water pump to the radiator as some units are pretty deep. Good luck and take pictures!
I purchased this one from www.ramchargers.com (P/N 674001) $ 79.99 Dual speed electric fan 26-1/2" wide 15-1/4" tall 3-3/8" deep. I had to do some cutting to fit the oversized FMS radiator, but if you're not afraid to do that, this is the best deal I've found. The CFM/$ was my formula. I've attached a picture of the mounted fan. I used heavy-duty tie-wraps to attach it to the radiator (in my case, the fan and radiator will be supported differently from convention). Good luck, Rick
