Thread: Electric VS Mechanical cooloing fans

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There's no need to change it out if it works. I think many of us have gone to electric fans because they cool large engines better and free up a few horsepower.

Originally Posted by rumrumm

There's no need to change it out if it works. I think many of us have gone to electric fans because they cool large engines better and free up a few horsepower.

And they fit in small spaces where a mechanical clutch/fan unit won't.

I use an electric fan on my Bucket with a on/off switch on the instrument panel as out on the open road the engine runs at 180 degrees and I only have it on in slow traffic or around town cruizing.

I have an electric fan only because I didn't think I would have enough room for a conventional/mechanical. It ends up that I have more then enough room with the amount of engine setback even with a 'long' water pump. One reason for an electric fan in an open hood car like mine or a 'bucket is safety. If I get dinged by my electric, it will a dammit, that hurt vs a trip to the e-room with your finger on ice, hoping it can be reattached

I had this discussion with the guy at Griffin radiator. He correctly told me that a mechanical fan will draw more air than an electric fan and will cool better with a properly designed fan shroud.

Car makers switched to electric fans because the electric fan could be switched on/off at will so the drag on the engine was controlled. Such allowed more precise engine temperature control and faster warm up. A thermostatic mechanical fan kinda does this but not as well. Also, like rspears said, there is a considerable space savings.

I have switched three Chev 350 engines from V-belt to serpentine using EBAY brackets from a 96-99 Vortec motor....the sound reduction is amazing.....if you remember to use both a reverse rotation water pump and a reverse fan blade.

Electric fans ratings are bogus because they rate the CFM at some unrealistic pressure....
I have yet to see an electric fan that looks like quality....they all look cheezy and cheap...like they came from Harbor Fan or something.

mike in tucson

Things I've learned from this thread so far.

#1. Mechanical fans more more air....This is a good thing since I'm towing.
#2. Electric fans work best in tight areas...... This is not a problem for me. I have plently of room.

For either, a really good fan shroud is important....one with no gaps that leak. Remember, you are trying to get the air moving across ALL the radiator surface....not just the small circle that the fan projects onto the radiator.

I could pretty much sign my name to Mike's post and be done with it.
One other thing though, is the thermostatically-controlled fan clutch. Sounds like you don't have one, so the fan is running water pump speed all the time. Mounting a clutch will reduce noise and improve fuel mileage.

As far as whether you can save any energy with an electric ANYTHING, if you have studied any physics at all, you will learn that it takes the same amount of energy to move "X" CFM of air, no matter whether you are doing it mechanically or electrically. The electric fan just puts more drag on the alternator, which is crank-driven!!!!