Alluminum/possible electric fan

[Dirtautoguy]

I have been Toying with the idea of either putting a flexalite alluminum fan on my 96 k1500. Would he weight difference be even worth dealing with?

 

My other though was maybe just putting in a electric fan. Has anyone done this? What is required for it to work right? I'm not in stop and go traffic hardly ever and I do mostly highway driving with the occasional light towing trips (4 wheeler trailer)

 

What kind of gains would I get from these? I'm questioning if my fan clutch is working right. Sometimes when I first start it it sounds almost like it could fly! Wouldn't that be a sight! Anyway it seems to me that when it's cold it shouldn't be roaring. And I don't ever really notice it engaging and disengaging just running sometimes when I first start it.

 

Thanks

[Chris]

The weight difference will be negligible. I would go Electric, Flex A Lite makes them and the controller for you to do it all.

[Friz2]

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/158709-cooling-fans/

 

One guy here stated that his electric fans work pretty good. I've never seen one work better or more efficiently than the mechanical clutch fan.

Maybe a flex fan would help marginally at rpm, but I doubt it.

[drenolov]

You could find a fan at your local junk yard cheap and just buy a controller for it

[gmtech4]

I have been Toying with the idea of either putting a flexalite alluminum fan on my 96 k1500. Would he weight difference be even worth dealing with?

My other though was maybe just putting in a electric fan. Has anyone done this? What is required for it to work right? I'm not in stop and go traffic hardly ever and I do mostly highway driving with the occasional light towing trips (4 wheeler trailer)

What kind of gains would I get from these? I'm questioning if my fan clutch is working right. Sometimes when I first start it it sounds almost like it could fly! Wouldn't that be a sight! Anyway it seems to me that when it's cold it shouldn't be roaring. And I don't ever really notice it engaging and disengaging just running sometimes when I first start it.

Thanks

Roaring when it's started is normal....

 

Some resistance while turning it by hand is normal

 

If the truck ever climbs up to over heating , that's when the fan locks and it roars sooooo loud, the temp gauge goes down immediately !!!

 

Putting in an electric fan is IMO not worth it , no real savings ...on a 19 yr old truck , don't bother

[Chris]

Roaring when it's started is normal....

 

Some resistance while turning it by hand is normal

 

If the truck ever climbs up to over heating , that's when the fan locks and it roars sooooo loud, the temp gauge goes down immediately !!!

 

Putting in an electric fan is IMO not worth it , no real savings ...on a 19 yr old truck , don't bother

This is correct. The only thing it will help is the Air Conditioning at low speeds like the LA traffic i deal with from time to time. You know like you see in TV and Movies.

[barry G]

the silica oil also responds to an electric resistance, if done just right. It cannot do it all correctly, but it sure is worth it.

 

the surge on start does not happen to my own 96, but I wimped out electrical. I could put it right back to the original..

 

I like those silica clutch fans. I put one on a 30 year old boxer engine. Self balanced and a thinking fan, interesting gadget. I usd to think it was shaking counterbalancrs to work..but learned otherwise.

[drenolov]

Going electric over manual will gain you some horses that old fan was robbing from you. You'll notice the difference in mpg