What's the best type of manual (water pump) fan for an FE?

[robroy]

Good day!

For the sake of simplicity I plan on using a regular, water pump driven fan on my truck. At least at first, to evaluate how well it works.

There's a chance that I have access to an original factory fan from a 352 in a 1967 F100, but I'm not certain about that. The 360 that used to live in #50 (the white F250 build 90% based on advice from you guys) had an aftermarket "flex" fan with chrome blades. The chrome was in bad shape and the fan looked terrible!

Looking at Summit, I see lots of fan options for FEs in our trucks. Most of them look about like that chrome one that was on the 360.

My main concern is that the fan do a good job cooling and be made of the best quality materials, preferably in the USA. I'm not concerned at all with looks, and horsepower drain isn't a major concern either. Price doesn't matter at all since all the fans I've seen look pretty reasonable in that regard.

Also, if you're inclined to persuade me to ditch the standard fan idea and go electric, I'd appreciate your ideas on that too.

Thanks for all the fantastic advice!
Robroy

[Redcap]

I've got a factory 5-blade on my truck, combined with a fan shroud. Keeps my beast cool almost year-round, except in hay season. This year, however, I'm switching to a dentside-era 8-blade fan with a thermal clutch.

[averagef250]

Robroy, RPM is a concern if you're putting a fan on an engine that goes over 5000 or so. The best fans are fixed blade thermostatic clutch fans. They work flawlessly, they're quiet and use the least power only bested by electric clutch fans (but the cost difference is huge).

If you're turning over 5000 you need a fan that will take that. Flexfans take it, but they suck IMO. Flexfans are very noisy, don't cool that well and cut your hands up working under the hood. I feel the best choice for high RPM use is good electric.

[robroy]

Hey Aaron and Dustin, thanks for the replies!

Dustin, what happens to traditional, old fashioned fans if you spin them a little over 5,000RPM, say 5,500 or 5,750 RPM? Do they blow up or vibrate or something?

Thanks again!
Robroy

[fitzwell]

Hey Aaron and Dustin, thanks for the replies!

Dustin, what happens to traditional, old fashioned fans if you spin them a little over 5,000RPM, say 5,500 or 5,750 RPM? Do they blow up or vibrate or something?

Thanks again!
Robroy

Unless you have a quality unit, most offshore fans will un-manufacture themselves at that kind if rpm. Usually in a most spectacular fashion

I would think real seriously about adding a Taurus/MkVIII fan and calling it done.

[robroy]

Hey Fitzwell! Yikes I had no idea.

I can search the forums, but I was wondering if you happened to know if somebody has posted a good cheat sheet on installing the MkVIII fan?

And why choose the MkVIII fan over other aftermarket, electric fans out there?

And do folks buy the MkVIII fan new through an auto parts distributor or grab one from a wreck (usually)?

Thanks very much Fitzwell!
Robroy

[fitzwell]

Robroy,
The MkVII fan is large, shrouded to cover most of the surface of the radiators in our trucks, and...keeps your Ford ALL Ford. (i'm just kinda goofy about that kinda stuff )

Most of the time, they get snatched up pretty quick in the salvage yards, but if you DO manage to get one, make sure you get the corresponding plug from the chassis side of the harness as well. Helps in a neat, efficient connection. Those units are two speed fans. low speed pulls about 35 amps on runup, 18-20 or so once spinning. The high speed side pulls OVER 80 amps on startup , settles in at about 50 running. Rumor has it Painless is working on a controller for these fans that will allow you to run low speed, high on demand, or a/c activation, as well as several other unique features. Needless to say, the electrical/charging system on the truck has got to be right when installing one of these units. Easiest way is to that is to do a 3G conversion, if you haven't done so yet.

[swinn]

What is the Taurus/MKVIII Fan? I'm thinking of an electric fan on my truck. I assume they come off a taurus, what years/submodels?