Project Dark Horse, Part 6 - Electric Fan Install

Then, while Ruberto pulled back the fan shroud, John removed the fan/clutch and fan belt.

To make it easier to remove the fan shroud, the upper radiator hose was disconnected at the radiator. Note: If you keep the hose tipped up, virtually no coolant will leak out.

The huge fan shroud was then removed. If you want a stock look, you can reinstall it later, but you don't have to. It's your choice.

The factory fan/clutch assembly is extremely heavy and flows nearly 50 percent less air than the lightweight SPAL fans.

The SPAL fans were then positioned against the radiator, and the upper and lower mounting points were noted and marked.

Self-tapping screws were then run into the radiator mounting points and removed. You can drill the mounting holes, instead if you like.

Ruperto used 1-inch flat steel rod to make two mounting brackets for the fans and painted them black to prevent rust.

The mounting brackets were then bolted to the SPAL fan shroud.

The mounting brackets were then bolted to the radiator frame.

Universal wiring diagrams are included with the fan, but trucks are wired differently, so custom wiring relay harnesses had to be made for the Ford. Ruperto can make them for your truck as well.

The wiring harness/plugs were mounted in a convenient location on the driver side of the engine compartment.

The ground wires were then attached to a good body ground on the firewall.

A wire was then tapped into the A/C sending unit.

Finally, the power wire was attached directly to the battery.

The temperature sensor-to turn on the fans-was then pressed into the radiator core, and the fans were plugged in. Then, the ignition was turned on and the A/C was turned on to make sure the fans came on-they did. The fans will also come on any time the temperature reaches 185 degrees Fahrenheit.

That's it. The electric fans not only open up the previously cluttered engine compartment, but they also free up horsepower and cool the engine better than the belt-driven fan. We also picked up about 2 mpg as a bonus.