Electric Fan came today....now what???

[mally002]

Ok here goes, those with mechanical skills please don't laught too hard after reading this.....

I just got my electric fan from Black Dragon today and after opening the box I am totally confused. It states "Puller mode" position against radiator. Puller mode I'm assuming will go on the rear of the radiator..ie, near the fan clutch, right? So I need to remove the old plastic fan and fan clutch right?

Does anyone have a close up picture of their electric fan so I can use for refrence. If so can you also post a picture of how it's wired.

Any help would be appreaciated.

Randy...(the mechanical Rookie)

[Nissanman]

You got it, in PULL mode it rotates in such a direction to PULL the air through the rad. to cool it.

Therefore, your wiring of the fan motor needs to be the correct polarity to ensure the fan can achieve this.

Unless the wires are labelled for this option as opposed to the PUSH option, all you can do is suck it and see.

It is a simple matter to determine if the rotation is correct.

If it isn't, just reverse the motor wiring connections to choose the opposite direction of rotation.

As for making physical space for the fan, I would say you have that sussed too.

Once the original fan and hub are removed, there should be enough real estate to mount the electric fan.

Just make sure that the water pump pulley is firmly attached to the pump flange.

Another little quandry is, how are you going to switch the fan on and off?

Thermostatic switches are the way to go but I just don't like the idea of poking a sensor bulb inside a radiator hose.

I had a copper tube fitted to my top radiator tank to accomodate the sensor.

The tube was closed off at one end to make it water tight.

Then I slipped the sensor into the tube.

With the adjustment knob I was able to set the thermosat to operate the fan motor at whatever temperature that I desired.

When I saw 90deg.C. on the coolant gauge, I set the fan to ON and job done.

Once the setting is done to a direct reading mechanical gauge, you can mark the position of the adjuster and know that it is a repeatable setting.

[mally002]

Thanks Nissanman,

I got the original fan and clutch off the car just now, do I replace the 4 nuts back on the pulley? or does that whole assembly come off.

Heres a picture of what Ive done so far.

Any words of wisdom appreaciated.

Randy

[DeesZ]

Yes, you must re-secure the pulley or it will come off with some consequences that you do not wish to face. It could just be the picture, but things look cockeyed with the pulley. Remove the belt to get rid of the tension on it so that you can get it tightened well in the correct position. Now is also the time to check the placement of your new fan to assure that you really have enough room to install it without interference from the pulley. You are making progress!!

I should be out in the garage working on my cooling system too.... but it's such a good day to procrastinate!

[mally002]

Deesz,

Thanks for the info, you were right I did need to adjust the pulley. It's a rotten, cloudy day here so I'm forcing myself to try and get this fan installed. Would you know if its proper to mount the fan left of center on the radiator? There is not enough room to mount it in the center as the old fan pulley is in the way. I can however slide it right down into position on the left side, or drivers side but wasn't sure if this would cause any problems.

What other solutions would there be if it has to go in the center.

Thanks

[DeesZ]

I'll have to let the experts address the left-side / right-side issue for cooling efficiency. If I am remembering correctly, you have more room on the left, but the air pump sticks out further on the left than the alternator on the right side, so "depth" is to be considered. I addressed it by putting mine into 'push' mode and installed in the front (which created other issues... they never end.) I will soon be going back to a stock clutch fan and shroud with a supplemental electric pusher on the front. I've concluded that the engineers had it pretty well figured out at the factory.... not perfect, and of course we have options today that weren't available back then, too.

Another thought.... what is the amperage draw of your new fan? Will you have enough juice available to run it comfortably?

[2Forty]

You might want to consider putting a little Locktite on your waterpump pulley studs. Just a little insurance, been there, didn't like the consequences.