Dusterbd13 wrote: I can't disagree with any of these statements. However, with a fan clutch that operates properly, how do the numbers work out? Asking for homesty here. I run electric fans on everything bu the elky and lawnmower.
It's a lot better than without a clutch.
But one has to remember the fan is still sized for idle/low speed, so when it comes on at 50mph, it's way too much.
I would have guessed 5-10hp loss with the aluminum fan. I know there have been past tests with 10-15. I recall seeing a demo on a truck that picked up 2mpg.
But I have the exact looking alum flex fan on my 78 Z28 thats been there since I bought it 27 years ago. Interesting, several times I've thought about going electric, and was just looking at some high CFM models at Speedway motors.
When I was a teen in the 80's, we only had our Car Craft, Hot Rod and Motor Trend magazines for all our info and we knew back that that fans caused big power losses. First thing I did with my 1967 Fairlane was to switch from a big fixed blade fan to a flex fan. Seems to me that electric fans were harder to find and weak back then but those aluminum flex fans were easy to get.
So after all this why don't you just put a temp. sensitive switch on an electric fan that won't come on till you slow or stop. a Fan without a proper Shroud is just a Guillitone, waiting to get ya.
IMO, electric fan is the best solution, as the parasitic draw goes away 100% when you turn it off. Next best solution is the electric clutch on a mech fan (has more rotating weight even when disengaged). The clutched mech fan is good for towing, etc. though as it can pull more air at high RPM than most electrics could ever hope to.
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