Fan upgrade?

I am having some heat issues when I am on the trail so I am thinking about getting a different fan. This only happens on steep upgrades at slow speeds. Turn around and go downhill and it cools off fairly quickly. I have lowered the radiator as far as I can but I don't think it will solve the problem completely.

I don't really want a cheap aftermarket fan so I am looking for ideas on oem fans that will fit the 225 with 5 or more blades, maybe a little longer blades then stock (not much longer!).

Any ideas/recommendations? I have the stock 4 blade now... I have seen some pics of stock 5 blade fans which is what I would really like to start with but would consider fans from other makes that would fit.

Thanks, Chris

 

I ran a Summit rigid 6 blade till I found the factory 7 blade
p/n FLX-1615P 15" diameter
cost $20
sold it to another member
hth

 

What about an electric fan in front of the radiator to use as extra cooling. Just my $.02

 

This is what I did to solve my heating problem on trails.

 

Again, I went through fan swaps (Flex Fan) shrouds, push fans, Finally went with an aluminum and electric fan combo. it was about $700. but I am finally happy, temp never goes over 190 It was running over 240-260 before. some guy in Az. made it Custom Aluminum Radiators, 928-681-6717

 

I'm having the same issues as you Chris. Right now, I'm running a Flex-a-Lite 15" 6-blade FLX-1615P (same as what Jim used to have), but the temp climbs fast when on the trail or climbing hills on road. As soon as I start going downhill, the temp drops. I've been thinking about putting on a small electric pusher fan as a helper. What degree thermostat are you running Chris?

 

IMO Never run a flex fan in a trail Jeep. Best to run a fixed or cluth fan and good shrouding.

 

Find a fan out of a Ford 1/2 ton HD in the local wrecking yard. The one I run coupled with the shroud will pull your shirt into the grill at idle. should run about 20 bucks.

 

although the Summit p/n suggests flex, it's not; at least not the one I received. It was rigid steel with cupped tips.
I might suggest circulation problem within the core.

 

lots of good info, thanks guys.

I have had the radiator checked out previously for some small repairs so it should be circulating ok plus i can idle and cruise all day with no problems only crawling uphill for an extended period will cause the warm up.
I am running a 180 tstat but i ran a 195 on the old engine however the temp gauge I had at the time didn't read too well. I know it got hot but never overheated. I should note that I have not overheated the new engine yet either, just trying to cool it down a little.

I agree that an electric up front will help the most but I am going to try a better fan first anyway... the cost difference is the main reason for this. I will take suggestions for a high quality fan that fits behind the grill for future reference though

So at the moment I am looking for a ford 1/2 ton fan or a summit rigid fan. How was the quality of the summit fan? nice? I take it the ford fan will bolt right up? shroud?

Thanks, Chris

 

I got a late model ford V6 fan for 10 bucks at the junk yard.
Read about it here..
http://www.ee.nmt.edu/~offroad/tech/index.php/Taurus_Fan_Wiring

 

Sounds like a good swap, but I am not going to be stuck in the mountains with a dead electric fan I will consider an electric fan in front of the radiator however... is that where you put it?

Thanks, Chris

 

That's right, it is a rigid fan. I think it has that number because it's made by Flex-a-lite.

Are you running a shroud Jim?

 

no
I am running the 4cylinder radiator and have always intended to fab a shroud for it
a shroud really does do wonders
I will say this: I had no overheating probs on the Colo trip just completed and it included a lot of low range, low gear crawling up the steep roads

 

in my opinion, they are not needed if everything cooling system wise is A-ok. I use a 180* t/stat and 50/50 coolant mix.
I would try a larger diameter and/or more blades on a rigid steel before I would go electric. (I don't like the looks much either)
Mileage might suffer on the highway due to increased load/drag on the engine, but it's worth it for slow, higher RPM use.
I've not overheated in the desert either FWIW
keep in mind winches, handy-mans, driving lights, anything bolted to the front end/bumper in and around the grille opening can/will affect the air flow.
that's my opinion

 

use a sensor or a toggle switch ?
wired to run all the time ?
decisions, decisions...

 

I run just the electric fan only on the YJ. FWIW.
Only problem I have ever had was me forgetting to turn it on.
Run a temp sensor with a toggle switch so that you can turn it off if need be for deep water or what have you and you should be ok.