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T-Series E-fan/fan switch issues

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J

JoshP

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Hey, have a bit of a dilemma on my hands with regards to one of my e-fans and the nonexistant fan switch. Basically, I removed the dead e-fan in my '77 B for dismantling and testing; loosened up the front bumper mounting nuts and pulled it out a bit to get the fan motor out because the blades wouldn't come off.

I found that one of the brushes was hanging out loose, so I slipped it back into place, put the cover back on and reconnected the wiring. The fan turned on when I put power to it, but it squealed like a stuck pig and finally died out completely after about 10 seconds. It wouldn't come back on again even after connecting it to the other fan's known-good connector. I'd say this goose is cooked.

I was also checking out my radiator; on closer inspection, it does look like someone did in fact attach (probably weld) a blanking plate to the area where the fan switch would normally go. A picture of the place in question is attached below. Has anyone ever seen a blanking plate placed on a rad like this?
plate.jpg

The plan right now is to install an aftermarket e-fan and use an original style fan switch and wire it to the fan; would I be safe in just drilling in a hole in this position? Or would using an aftermarket adjustable or non-adjustable switch work better? Also, any recommendations as to brand/model of e-fan? Thanks!
 
One of them aftermarket switches that slide in between the radiator fins would probably be OK... And you won't have to cut and fold a flange for the factory style one.
 
A switch that goes between the fins? If it's not too much trouble, could you find me an example of such a switch? All the ones I've seen or heard of involve drilling into the top tank on the radiator for installation, or feeding a sensor into the top rad hose.
 
Hayden makes several different models that work this way. The model I have on my midget has a temp sensor that slides in between the radiator fins. The wires from the thermocouple go back to a relay that I mounted on the fender well. That actually turns the fan on and off. I have some adjustability this way.
JC
 
What he said... Yeah, it's a sortof multipiece affair, but the thermostatic device slides into the fins, and activates a relay that turns the fans on or off... Alot of aftermarket fans come with them.
 
Putting the thermocouple in the fins is the better way to go. The DPO apparently had the hole for the "Otter" switch sealed, likely soldered rather than welded to the top tank. You have been blessed: The "Otter" switches were nothing short of a PITA, IMO.

BTW: A tidbit for consideration: A 30% blockage in a radiator will result in an 80% reduction in its efficacy as an exchanger. Same with most "conductive" devices, i.e. oil coolers, tranny coolers, A/C condensers and evaporators. Air is a crappy heat exchange medium. Just another of ol' Doc Entropy's "Useless Bits of Information." --- you're welcome. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazyeyes.gif
 
It sounds like the switch installed in the fins is the way to go; before posting about this, I never knew that type of switch existed.

I dropped a PM to Keenan for pics of his setup; I was told that he has a similar setup to what I'm looking for. jcatnite, do you have any pics of your setup?

I'm like Gene Wilder in "Blazing Saddles" here: "You need any help?" "Oh...all I can get..."

I've heard good things about the Hayden fan; any other brand/model recommendations? I'll be setting it up as a puller fan; I may even keep the stock fans in place to keep the original look going.
 
As a side note, I'll probably have to make brackets to mount the fan using the core support. The kits that mount the fan to the core aren't a very good option for me; bumps, potholes, road cracks and rough roads are all over the place here. I'd end up gutting the radiator after a couple of trips.
 
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