Opinions please, Is Electric fan conversion worth the time & cost?

[BillRod]

Hi All

Has anyone done an electric fan conversion?
I am looking for opinions and real world information on before and after performance, mpg etc.

I am considering pulling my mechanical fan and rigging an electric fan.

I have heard that removing the rotating weight of the fan clutch from the engine will improve power, acceleration and mpg.

I have also heard that it won't increase mpg because it was not designed from the factory for electric fans.

Any thoughts?

My truck is a 95F150, inline 4.9L 6cyl, 5speed, A/C, no other power options.
I already have the twin fan and 130 amp 3g alternator from my 97 Taurus.
I think I would just need to get the controller, and related parts for the electrical hookup.

Thanks

 

[AgPete139]

This has been brought up before, so you could search the forums again.

In a nutshell though, others have used the 3.8L Ford Taurus E-fan and have no complaints. Some prefer it as long as you wire/control it correctly, and have a little bit of extra space to work on things. Rig it as a pulling fan as it proves to be slightly more efficient.

The rest will say it is not necessary and mpg will hardly be affected. Either way, it is still drawing power. The only reason to really run and electric fan is if you are offroading extensively where water/engine submersion is onvolved.

With your 4.9L, I would just vote to leave it as is. It works, and will continue to work well until you are fjording on the Oregon Trail.

Pete

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

I have heard that removing the rotating weight of the fan clutch from the engine will improve power, acceleration and mpg.

That may be true for some engines, but the mechanical fan on a 4.9 plays only a very small part in its rotational inertia. I don't know if you've ever taken one apart, but the rotating assembly on these things are massive. The rocker arms are as big as my fist, the pushrods are about a foot long. The rods are HUGE. It has a 4" stroke! The flywheel is also huge and heavy. These are all reasons why it feels like it has enough sheer muscle to pull your house over at 1200 RPMs. It's also why they won't really rev over 4000 RPM. Just leave it the way it is and be happy

 

[88_Eddie]

It works, and will continue to work well until you are fjording on the Oregon Trail.

Pete

hahahahahha......i loved that game.



so would putting ones of these electric fans on a 2.9L be a good idea?

 

[BillRod]

That may be true for some engines, but the mechanical fan on a 4.9 plays only a very small part in its rotational inertia. I don't know if you've ever taken one apart, but the rotating assembly on these things are massive. The rocker arms are as big as my fist, the pushrods are about a foot long. The rods are HUGE. It has a 4" stroke! The flywheel is also huge and heavy. These are all reasons why it feels like it has enough sheer muscle to pull your house over at 1200 RPMs. It's also why they won't really rev over 4000 RPM. Just leave it the way it is and be happy

Thanks for clarifying it that way.
Looking at it that way the rotating mass of the fan and clutch is such a very tiny percentage that it does make better sense to just leave it as is.

Glad I asked before jumping in.

Thanks again,
Bill