87 ranger 5.0 swap

[shortzt]

Got my fan all mounted just waiting on the resistor for it so I have a low speed, I still have to pick up a dual speed temp switch, I started to get my core support braced back up still have to run another cross bar on the bottom, I would like to keep my hood latch but hood pins would be so much easier, I also got my rear shock mounts all welded up, but dues to clearance with the shock body I had to run one upside down, I don't think it looks bad

 

[shortzt]

Well got my resistor and most my fan wiring done just waiting on the BMW temp switch and then Monday I can machine the adaptor that i need for the switch, I started putting my grill and stone deflector back on, my grill is broke all along the top, I didn't have $100 for a new one but I had some plastic epoxy so I figured its worth trying

 

[win]

What are your plans for the BMW temp switch adapter?

I've got a dual fan project started for my 02 and would like to use the BMW switch, just not certain how do mount the darn thing.

Been looking for a 14mm bulkhead type fitting so I can mount the temp sensor to the side of the radiator but so far, no luck, thinking about butchering a SAAB radiator for the fittings it uses for the trans oil cooler.

Enough trimming of the cooler should make a passable through the side of the rad fitting for the BMW sensor.

I'd found a Ford Windstar A/C pressure switch to run the two speeds for the fans based on A/C needs, it's the water temp that's slowing me down.

 

[shortzt]

I'm either going to run mine in the trans cooler port, or on the intake, I'm thinking intake because I chose the hotter switch, I'll make an adaptor from 14x1.5? (What ever BMW switch is) to 3/8 NPT I'll just grab a piece of stainless Monday and make one on a CNC lathe I have access to

 

[win]

Yea, I'd thought of the transmission cooler but its on the "cold" side of the radiator. Same with the intake, it'd be on the "hot" side of the t'stat and would call for full time fans when ever the engine was up to temp.

Seems to me both spots would have the fans out of sync with the cooling needs but maybe the cold side of the radiator is the right spot for it.

Think I need to check out a BMW or two to see where its installed there.

 

[shortzt]

I know what people say about the cool side but the way I look at it is, the fluid passes through the cool side before going back into the engine, if the cool side isn't hot enough for the fans to kick on then the fluid must not be hot enough, there fore why cool already cool fluid? But then also on the flip side I bought a 195 and 210° switches and a 190 thermostat so that's 5 degrees and a little bit of wait time because the switch doesn't come the second the fluid hits 195, so I think the intake is the better way, I'll run it and if my temps are higher then what I like I'll switch it up until I like it

 

[win]

I know what people say about the cool side but the way I look at it is, the fluid passes through the cool side before going back into the engine, if the cool side isn't hot enough for the fans to kick on then the fluid must not be hot enough, there fore why cool already cool fluid?

Think you've got it right!

Checking the BMW world, the temp sensor is on the cold side of the radiator and your logic makes perfect sense.

Following that logic, I might be talking myself into using a "T" fitting for the transmission cooler lines to make a fitting for the temp switch. The trans fluid will leave the cooler at the radiator temp and would make for an easy way to mount the temp sensor without cutting into a perfectly good (and new in my case) radiator.

 

[shortzt]

See I have a manual trans and an automatic trans radiator so I'll just be screwing it into one of the ports that are already there and open

 

[win]

See I have a manual trans and an automatic trans radiator so I'll just be screwing it into one of the ports that are already there and open

In my case and as one of the founders of Wuss E Gurlls anonymous, I'm still using the trans cooler built into the radiator for the slush box behind the engine!

 

[shortzt]

I'm not sure how the thermostat would work with trans fluid in it though

 

[win]

I'm not sure how the thermostat would work with trans fluid in it though

The temp sensor appears to be sold brass where "wet" so I don't think it'll care either way between AFT and ethylene glycol.

Still, for me the "right" answer is some form of bulkhead fitting through the side of the radiator. Will continue to investigate before I commit to anything permanent.

 

[shortzt]

I'm not saying the sensor won't work I'm saying oil cools and heats different then anti freeze

 

[shortzt]

Solved my problem, I moved my temp sensor for my gauges to my intake to get more arcuate engine temp, and I'll run the fan switch temp sensor in the thermostat housing, it'll be on the other side of the thermostat so it won't be hot all the time hopefully

 

[shortzt]

Well got my adaptor machined, just waiting on the sensor to get here

 

[shortzt]

Well went the cheap and easy way out with hood pins I really liked the autofab hood pins but these were only $6 and I got them same day so I couldn't say no