Moparchat - Home of MOPAR enthusiasts worldwide!



Go Back   Moparchat - Home of MOPAR enthusiasts worldwide! > Technical Forums > Performance Talk

Click here to search for Mopar cars and parts for sale.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-08-2009, 05:34 PM
Chache876's Avatar
Chache876 Chache876 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Elk Grove, IL
Posts: 159
Default Where should my electric fan thermostat go?

I've got an electric fan set up with a controller that has a 3/8" threaded sending unit. Where is the best place to put the s/u?

The intake manifold is a eddy air gap manifold on a 360 motor. There is a 3/8" threaded hole on the front of the manifold on the driver side of the intake manifold (opposite side of the stock sending unit location.) I currently have my water temp gauge sensor installed in this location.

There is also another 3/8" threaded hole on the rear of the manifold (directly opposite of the water temp gauge sensor). I had the fan switch installed at this point, however the gauge got up to about 215* and the fan did not come on (should be on at 195/off at 185). I know theres going to be a temp difference between these locations but whatever it is, it seems to be too much for my needs.

The last option I have is on the radiator. On the upper corner of the passenger side of the radiator there is also a 3/8" threaded hole.

What should I use?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-08-2009, 10:08 PM
peg leg peg leg is offline
Inactive User
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Star, Idaho
Age: 88
Posts: 2,669
Default Got the same

Setup. If you use the hole in the airgap, near the thermostat, the probe tip will be too far out of the coolant stream.
I used the 3/8 threaded hole in the radiator, which sits at the hot spot of the rad. Works like a champ.
I suggest that you get a "on at 180, off at 160 thermostat". On at 195 is way too late.
I also suggest adding an over ride switch to turn the fan on if the sensor fails.Wire it direct to 12 volts, unswitched.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-09-2009, 01:54 AM
TK TK is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: not here anymore
Posts: 8,876
Default

I like mine on a switch.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-09-2009, 02:38 AM
Walkercolt Walkercolt is offline
Inactive User
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Tulsa,OK
Posts: 4,288
Default

Thermostat in the radiator worked for a buddies' Celebrity(I know, but I told him $400 from GM for the fans, etc was WAAAY to high when I got the Hayden dual fans for $100, with the A/C solinoid switch...J. C. Whitney special, free S&H). That rigged-up deal lasted 'til he traded cars about 3 years later. Shade-tree engineering can work wonders on pieces of crap cars.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-09-2009, 04:12 AM
Chache876's Avatar
Chache876 Chache876 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Elk Grove, IL
Posts: 159
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by peg leg View Post
Setup. If you use the hole in the airgap, near the thermostat, the probe tip will be too far out of the coolant stream.
I used the 3/8 threaded hole in the radiator, which sits at the hot spot of the rad. Works like a champ.
I suggest that you get a "on at 180, off at 160 thermostat". On at 195 is way too late.
I also suggest adding an over ride switch to turn the fan on if the sensor fails.Wire it direct to 12 volts, unswitched.
Is the 3/8 hole in the same spot on your radiator as it is mine (top passenger side corner)?

I have to disagree with you on the thermostat temperatures. I have a 180* thermostat, so if the fan comes on at 180*...the thermostat would only open for a few seconds and would in turn make the engine run cold (this is a stock motor not a race motor btw). I am not a believer in having lower than stock thermostats. i dont believe there is a reason to use a lower temp thermostat in a stock/mild motor...if the engine is overheating it a seperate issue.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-09-2009, 04:14 AM
Chache876's Avatar
Chache876 Chache876 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Elk Grove, IL
Posts: 159
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by TK View Post
I like mine on a switch.
I understand the idea process with the manual switch but sometimes I dont like to *always* have to be looking at my temp gauge to see when I need to be setting the fan on.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 05-09-2009, 09:43 AM
peg leg peg leg is offline
Inactive User
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Star, Idaho
Age: 88
Posts: 2,669
Default Trust me

195 is too late to start cooling the coolant. Small blocks heat quickly, and at 195, your fan will have a very difficult time bringing it down, expecially when climbing hills. I had a 180 on fin type thermocouple before I switched to a 180wet sensor. It was always too late, even at 180 on.
My fan is a Derale 3000 CFM 20 amp 17 inch bladed unit.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
70s 360 thermostat gasket go above or below thermostat? 73_RoadRunner Performance Talk 13 12-10-2008 02:31 AM
180 deg. Thermostat JAW Durango Chat 11 12-12-2001 01:36 PM
Thermostat EthanA Ram Truck Chat 1 10-24-2001 05:05 PM
180 Thermostat ?? giod Ram Truck Chat 3 02-23-2001 05:48 PM
180 thermostat stoner Dakota Truck Forum 6 12-11-2000 06:52 PM




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:07 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
. . . . .