how do I put a MECHANICAL fan on my engine?

Discussion in '2.3L (N/A & Turbo)' started by Ray III, May 31, 2004.

  1. Ray III New Member

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    well I have the car all apart for an overhaul. Took the rad out because it's bad. I really don't like unreliable electric fans, and rather than replace the controller and chase down loose connections I want to junk it and put a fan on there that I won't have to worry about.

    Did any of the early Rangers have a belt driven fan with a viscous coupling? Are there any other engines I can adapt a fan from? Preferably a fan with low airflow because it makes little heat and I don't want to bog the engine down when it's on.

    Can I junk that little module under the dash that has the large yellow wire connector going into it, or does it control something other than the cooling fan? Sure has alot of wires just to turn a fan on.
  2. 351wcoupe New Member

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    you can put a mechanical fan on it. The rangers did have them. I wouldn't get in the habit of ditching electrical stuff though. Eventually you'll ditch the wrong thing and really cause problems.
    Also.
    People "upgrade" from a mechanical fan to electric for a performance mod. Instead you'll be taking power away from the monsterous amount you have.
  3. Ray III New Member

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    k thanx...

    not looking to sacrifice simple reliability for performance in all cases... even considered a carb swap because this EFI crap is costing me hundreds of dollars in parts and gasoline (when it don't run right), but I am leaving that alone.
  4. 351wcoupe New Member

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    I thought the same as you until I sat through 18 hours a week for 30 weeks of EFI classes.
    Even a tuned carb motor won't run nearly as smooth and effecient as an FI engine. Usually the cars shouldn't cost hundreds of dollars unless your doing an engine swap. Simple testing and learning to ask questions before you make any move will go a long way.
  5. whiskerz New Member

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    The early and mid 90's rangers have a clutch fan. I used one on a Pinto :D it works great compared to a stock pinto fan. the Ranger water pump has a smaller diameter shaft than the Pinto/early mustang. I would not be dumping the electric as they are plenty reliable. besides it is free horsepower. just get the bolts when you get the fan assembly. HTH
  6. Ray III New Member

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    the electric is ALREADY broken, hows that for reliable. :p

    yea EFI is superior to carburetion... when it runs right. When I get around to building a 351 mustang it'll have a carb cuz I don't mind sacrificing some torque/economy for being able to get rid of all that electrical stuff and not worry about it breaking down, and for the greater control you have over a simple motor (you can set idle and mixtures, and it doesn't hang the throttle when you are trying to float gears :mad: )
  7. 351wcoupe New Member

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    here's my suggestion:
    I wired the fan through a completely seperate relay and aftermarket T-stat that I could adjust to any setting. Cheap and very effective. Picked it up at autozone for about $20.
  8. ssjmaverick23 Member

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    heck my fan is always on as long as the key is in been like that in both my cars and my sis stang and that works good for me
  9. 351wcoupe New Member

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    yeah I've got one like that too. No problems with that unless you sit around a parking lot blasting "She bangs! She bangs!"

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