Fan Clutch Selection

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Fan Clutch Selection

July 29, 2014, 04:05:53 PM

After staring at my engine bay for a long time and in the spirit of ever simplifying my automobile I'm taking the plunge back to a mechanical fan setup. Now while Hayden recommends the use of their HD fan clutch for cars with ac (which I plan on always retaining) I'm curious as to whether or not any of y'all are running either an SD or HD fan clutch in your foxes? I'm wondering if an SD can keep up with the AC or if I should just commit to a little fan roar with the HD clutch if it means rock hard nipple temperatures in the bird.

The final straw that broke this camel's back was my 2nd fan controller taking a dive while driving in the middle of traffic on a warm July day...

Thoughts and opinions are welcome.

Fan Clutch Selection

Reply #1 – July 29, 2014, 05:21:58 PM

Get a DCC Controller and call it a day. I have had mine on the Coupe for over six years and still keeping it cool in Houston and Oklahoma heat in the summer. They are not the cheapest but not the most expensive either.

http://www.dccontrol.com/selector.htm

Darren

Fan Clutch Selection

Reply #2 – July 29, 2014, 06:32:00 PM

I have used the DCC piece on my old 2.3Turbo stang. Great piece, never let me down. I plan on using one again with my Mark/Taurus fan with my current car.

My fan clutch went to and I replaced it with a standard duty(wanted the cheapest because I planned on going E fan later). I has cooled my car well and the AC is very cold, and it gets hot and humid in KS, heat index 110+. It will keep me as cool or cooler than my 06 Silverado HD, which will freeze my arse off.

Fan Clutch Selection

Reply #3 – July 29, 2014, 06:41:37 PM

Build a fan system with redundancy. Never run a single fan setup and wire them to come on at different temps. Use 2 75AMP bosch relays one for each fan and a temp, sender for each fan and you problems are over. Clutch FANS are garbage and by the way can also fail. Especially aftermarket ones. No one uses clutch fans anymore. that is unless you have a 100 point car. Have a great evening.
Here is a setup i just finished for an early Camaro. I even made custom brackets to eliminate the ugly stock upper radiator plate. And whipped up some fancy mounting brackets as well. JR as usual painted them PORSCHE GRAY. The kid is impossible

Fan Clutch Selection

Reply #4 – July 29, 2014, 07:34:36 PM

Quote from: Aerocoupe;436550

Get a DCC Controller and call it a day. I have had mine on the Coupe for over six years and still keeping it cool in Houston and Oklahoma heat in the summer. They are not the cheapest but not the most expensive either.

http://www.dccontrol.com/selector.htm

Darren

Well I'm still not sure if I can fit a clutch fan, but if I can't that controller seem many times better than what I'm running.

Quote from: mcb82gt;436555

I have used the DCC piece on my old 2.3Turbo stang. Great piece, never let me down. I plan on using one again with my Mark/Taurus fan with my current car.

My fan clutch went to and I replaced it with a standard duty(wanted the cheapest because I planned on going E fan later). I has cooled my car well and the AC is very cold, and it gets hot and humid in KS, heat index 110+. It will keep me as cool or cooler than my 06 Silverado HD, which will freeze my arse off.

Yes, this is exactly what I wanted to find out! The biggest benefit to the mechanical fan to me at least is having cooler a/c, with my current electrical it's lackluster at best which is especially apparent when driving my 00 silverado (which has a mechanical fan

)

Quote from: TOM Renzo;436557

Build a fan system with redundancy. Never run a single fan setup and wire them to come on at different temps. Use 2 75AMP bosch relays one for each fan and a temp, sender for each fan and you problems are over. Clutch FANS are garbage and by the way can also fail. Especially aftermarket ones. No one uses clutch fans anymore. that is unless you have a 100 point car. Have a great evening.
Here is a setup i just finished for an early Camaro. I even made custom brackets to eliminate the ugly stock upper radiator plate. And whipped up some fancy mounting brackets as well. JR as usual painted them PORSCHE GRAY. The kid is impossible

But, that's soo much more money Tom! There are so many places where that money could be better spent! And the wiring, at this point in time if I get rid of the E fan I would only have ~5 wires in my engine bay (discounting headlight wiring and windshield wiper motor)! Down with the wires!

At this point though it's all academic as I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to do something about the radiator support if I want to add a mechanical fan. Still, now that I know that a standard duty will work just fine with my a/c I can at least gather parts or dimensions and head out from there.

Mike where did you buy your clutch? It seems like Hayden is the only name in the game so that's what I'll be going with when I do order one.

P.S. Those are some beautiful brackets and overall a very nice install Tom.

Fan Clutch Selection

Reply #5 – July 29, 2014, 07:38:22 PM

Tom, that looks really nice. How did you tap those mounts to the fans, is it a metal case?

Fan Clutch Selection

Reply #6 – July 29, 2014, 07:44:33 PM

Quote from: GrannysBird;436562

.

Mike where did you buy your clutch? It seems like Hayden is the only name in the game so that's what I'll be going with when I do order one.

I just bought the standard duty fan from Oreilly auto parts. Not sure if you have them there?

Just a standard duty replacement. Looked it up online, looks like it was the Hayden part http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/HDN0/2723/03389.oap?year=1988&make=Mercury&model=Cougar&vi=1198605&ck=Search_03389_1198605_826&pt=03389&ppt=C0331

Fan Clutch Selection

Reply #7 – July 29, 2014, 08:44:43 PM

Quote from: mcb82gt;436565

I just bought the standard duty fan from Oreilly auto parts. Not sure if you have them there?

Just a standard duty replacement. Looked it up online, looks like it was the Hayden part http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/HDN0/2723/03389.oap?year=1988&make=Mercury&model=Cougar&vi=1198605&ck=Search_03389_1198605_826&pt=03389&ppt=C0331

Yup I've got an oreilly's just down the block, but I tend to go to napa if I can help it. For my application though I'll be going with hayden 2705 or 2765 since my car will soon be standard rotation. First though I need to find a 20 inch fan.

Fan Clutch Selection

Reply #8 – July 29, 2014, 10:37:42 PM

NOPE they came with nut-certs built right in to the housing and they are 1/4 20 threads. Jegs the fans were actually cheap and work great. The secret is not to use a garbage controller and in my experience they are all garbage. Those 75 Amp Bosch relays are the ticket. They hold up very nicely and those fans do not draw anywhere near 75 amps. remember removing a clutch fan will gain you 15 Ponies. remember there are all kinds of clutch fan assemblies. Thermatic viscus and friction. Make sure you get a thermatic and that will set you back a bunch of coin. And if you have a working AC system better get the one recommended or you will be chasing down an issue of running hot in traffic. If you want to go cheap and dirty get a standard fan and dump the clutch completely. Once again no one uses a clutch fan anymore . It robs to much HP. Have a great evening guys.

Question?? You must already have an electric fan so why change it if it works for you. All you need is a good BOSCH relay and a thermal switch.

Fan Clutch Selection

Reply #9 – July 29, 2014, 11:05:55 PM

I've got a Mustang police interceptor fan clutch, a 9 blade Mustang HO fan, 180* thermostat, and a two row aluminum radiator (1 inch tubes). The car runs 185*-190* all the time no matter the outside temp or if the A/C is on.

Fan Clutch Selection

Reply #10 – July 30, 2014, 12:05:16 AM

My stock tbird did fine with a single row aluminium rad, stock fan/shroud/everything and a bad clutch on the fan... i did only run it one summer though. my broken motor mounts took out the ac lines.

i plan on going.with a taurus fan and volvo fan controller with a bmw tempeture switch. i like the fact that its oem and is basically just two relays, but it will only work for a single fan.

Fan Clutch Selection

Reply #11 – July 30, 2014, 06:52:03 AM

Bottom line anything that is powered by the engine costs you HP and fuel mileage. The mustang gained 14 HP by ford installing an electric fan from the factory. have a great day guys.

Fan Clutch Selection

Reply #12 – July 30, 2014, 06:56:38 AM

Quote from: thunderjet302;436583

I've got a Mustang police interceptor fan clutch, a 9 blade Mustang HO fan, 180* thermostat, and a two row aluminum radiator (1 inch tubes). The car runs 185*-190* all the time no matter the outside temp or if the A/C is on.

I see by your build you are increasing HP so why would you give up app 14 ponies by dragging around an obsolete old school clutch fan and blade when you can install an electric one and pick up some PONIES. Just a thought.

Fan Clutch Selection

Reply #13 – August 04, 2014, 06:24:58 PM

Quote from: TOM Renzo;436605

I see by your build you are increasing HP so why would you give up app 14 ponies by dragging around an obsolete old school clutch fan and blade when you can install an electric one and pick up some PONIES. Just a thought.

I may upgrade one day but I would have to upgrade the electrical system first. For now the fan and clutch work fine.

Fan Clutch Selection

Reply #14 – August 05, 2014, 05:04:44 AM

Build your own controller. Only way to get a reliable one. This is a simple diagram of mine, It's been dead nuts reliable for me.