Whats the real story on electric fan switches for small block chev engines

On the previous 2 rods that I built using small block chev engines, I bought aftermarket thermostatically controlled fan switches to run my electric fan. They screwed into one of the ports in the center head near the water neck, and when the engine temp got up to 180 degrees they would pull in a relay to power up the fan. They worked great, but cost over $100 to buy. Now I see it mentioned on this forum that people are using fan switches that came stock on Chrysler mini-vans or something for a ridiculously low price to do this same function. Anybody out there got the true story on this?---have you done it----do you have part numbers----pictures????? I don't want to spend a fortune if I can avoid it, but I don't want to cook my engine either.

I would think that any temp switch that activated at 180 degrees and a good aftermarket 12 volt relay would do the trick. If memory serves me correctly the one on my daughters' '86 Cavalier was about $10 or so. The car is long gone and I changed it out about 10 years ago.

I just go with the switch, I used that since I have been driving my 40. I have been driving that since 94 or so.

Hey Yankeyspeed---what switch??? I am using an electric fan from a wrecking yard---99 Fiero or something like that.

You know those cheap lightup switches, They are about everywhere. I have one that lights up when I turn it on. I origanially had a heavy duty switch but it grounded through the case and kept popping fuses. I think I spent $5.

Hey brianrupnow,Looked and couldn't come up with a suitable oem switch, But
check Speedway,they gotta switch in 1/2 npt or 5/8 npt that comes on at 185 to 212 costs $15.95 and you'll need the relay kit costs $9.95..... they also got a adjustable fan control kit at $29.95