Fan clutch question

[Pir0San]

Another simple way to check if the fan clutch is bad is to pull it out, take it to Autozone or Kragen, and compare it to one of the ones that they sell. My Z would overheat and I had no idea why, until I pulled the fan clutch. I replaced it with a Torqflo unit from Autozone, and no problems now.

[ph240]

Be careful using a Ford or any other OE fan they can draw 40 amps or more and up to 60 amps at start up. Just be sure your alternator and wiring are sized correctly. An upgrade to at least 100 amp alternator may be in order

[=Enigma=]

Be careful using a Ford or any other OE fan they can draw 40 amps or more and up to 60 amps at start up. Just be sure your alternator and wiring are sized correctly. An upgrade to at least 100 amp alternator may be in order

Good point for those with stock alternators that only put out 50amps or less due to father time. The Taurus/Sable fan is a two speed unit. Low speed should be enough for all but the most extreme conditions. According to research on the web, low speed startup draws ~32amps and low speed continuous running draws approx ~17 amps. However, hi-speed startup draws between 85-100 amps and hi-speed continuous running draws ~33 amps.

So.....with a 50 amp alternator, running the fan on hi-speed would only leave ~17 amps for everything else including the ignition. Not much left if any to keep the battery charged, especially if using other accessories like the lights, radio, heater or defroster to name few. I wouldn't be too worried about start-up since any sane person would incorporate a relay, and a good battery will easily handle a momentary 85-100 amp draw. That's precisely what relays are for. If you plan to run the fan on high, you'll need a 60 or 75 amp relay. Keeping the battery charged with a stock alternator could pose a problem if you run the fan on high all the time, but that really shouldn;t be necessary under anything but the most extreme conditions.

[e_racer1999]

i've been researching elec fans (since my fan clutch is siezed) and i thought it was worth mentioning that the folks at hybridz note that the taurus fan WILL NOT fit with the stock rad/engine (too deep)