I'm considering an electric fan conversion. In SoCal it's hot enough that the mech fan clutch engages often and makes the truck slower. It does not need to be slower.

I have been reading extensively and find some people report that the Flex-A-Lite 165 is great, others have overheating issues. Many love the Taurus fan while others have overheating issues.

Mastacox on Yotatech brought up a hypothesis that with the extra cooling load from the auto trans the electric fan can't pull enough air. I'm wondering if anyone here has had similar experience?

I'm starting to wonder if improving the tranny cooling is a better way to bring down radiator temps thus cycling the mech fan clutch less?

I'm even wondering if a smaller pusher fan in front that came on early might lessen the spikes enough that the mechanical fan comes one less frequently and for shorter durations.

Thoughts?

Frank

I just bought a Flex a lite 180 from Summit that is rated at 3300cfm.

It looks like a very nice, well built unit, but will require a little shroud modification/trim around the lower radiator outlet, other than that, it looks like it was made for my 22RE radiator.

The 180 dimensions are 17 1/2" x 21 1/2" x4" 3300 cfm
The 165 dimensions are 18.0" x 16.0" x 4 1/4" 2800cfm

If 1 elec fan doesn't do it, you could add a tranny cooler and if it still doesn't work add a fan to the cooler.

One other thing, Summit will beat any price you find on the net, so I saved a big chunk of money when I bought it.

If anyone is interested, I may post pictures when the install is done.

Take care.
Ken

Pics are always appreciated.

I suspect if what I have read holds true you will have good luck with this setup. The 4 banger produces less heat as does the 5 speed.

Frank

Black Magic 165 here for more than 7 years. I had to replace the thermostat a few years back with a hayden electronic adjustable one. It move's the air and I've never had any over heat issues, but I have a 5 speed.

It keeps my truck cool even in the summer when it's 102deg outside.....

I have had the same result with the Black Magic fan since '98. I haven't had to replace anything yet, but then again the fan runs all the time so it is basically fool proof. With headers, the A/C on full blast, and 100* yesterday the temp never rose at all. The Black Magic is rated to 220ho with A/C, so it should work for the 3.0 auto.

Do you have all three cooler units together?, if so you might think about relocating the tranny cooler, or adding an additional cooler with fan somewhere else.

I thought the Runners came with a small pusher fan in front of the radiator already?

It does have the pusher fan.

I has this little tranny cooler under the truck next to the tranny and I believe also the cooler that is part of the radiator.

I would think the Black Magic would work but as I'm sure you have read and taken part in the many threads, some people have a lot of problems with them.

I don't understand the disparity.

Frank

Additional note: I have mine adjusted so it doesn't run while I'm moving more than 20+ MPH. As soon as I get in traffic or stop, it'll come on shortly after. When your moving down the freeway, you don't need it running. I say go for it....Got mine from Summit Racing and from the looks of it, it's still about $220.....which is what I paid for mine over 7 years ago. Good Luck. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I found a cheeper price for the 180 (3300 cfm) on the net, so if you think you might need or want extra cooling, Summit sold me the 180 for $266.95 .

You really shouldn't need it running while you are going 20 mph or more. Keeping it running all the time will shorten the life of the fan.

Man you can't go wrong with the taurus fan. For what you get the price can't be beat. Plus it fits just nice.

I know that others have had problems with all types of e-fans, but I think a lot of the problems come from poorly functioning coolant systems or installation. I couldn't have gotten the only black magic fan that works, I am not that lucky <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />.

The first e-fan I hooked up I had overheating problems with too, but it was a Kragen fan that only had a CFM of 1800. Even after installing the Black Magic I still had some high heat issues, though after getting the rad rotted out/rebuilt the over heating issue is now non-existant.

I would think with the small pusher fan and either the 165 or the 180 you shouldn't have any problems. I would have the rad serviced to make sure it is in good shape if you don't knoe teh history of it, should run you about $100. If you plan to run the fan off of a thermostat, I would wire up a switch on the dash so you can run it w/o the t-stat, maybe run a light to tell you when it is on as well. This is another problem area that people run into with e-fans, the t-stat falls out of teh rad, the switch or relay burns up and the fan doesn't come on and the engine over heats. This was the main reason why I have mine running all the time, to avoid some of the pitfalls of running an e-fan.