Swap to electric fan?

[Mhass]

I cracked my fan shroud while doing a body lift, bad enough that it needs to be replaced.
At 115k miles, the radiator is looking a little tired also, and if I do that, I'll do the hoses. Then i might as well throw in a water pump and thermostat (but not a heater core yet).
Here's my dilemma-for about the same cost, I can throw in a new aluminum radiator with electric fans.
Other than the power draw, which is only a concern in low speed traffic, I can't see a downside to going to an electric fan.
Anybody have a downside to the swap?

 

[LONGJP2]

I cracked my fan shroud while doing a body lift, bad enough that it needs to be replaced.
At 115k miles, the radiator is looking a little tired also, and if I do that, I'll do the hoses. Then i might as well throw in a water pump and thermostat (but not a heater core yet).
Here's my dilemma-for about the same cost, I can throw in a new aluminum radiator with electric fans.
Other than the power draw, which is only a concern in low speed traffic, I can't see a downside to going to an electric fan.
Anybody have a downside to the swap?

Most will tell you that it's hard to piece together anything that cools as well as the factory setup.
YRMV

 

[ColoJeep]

I cracked my fan shroud while doing a body lift, bad enough that it needs to be replaced.
At 115k miles, the radiator is looking a little tired also, and if I do that, I'll do the hoses. Then i might as well throw in a water pump and thermostat (but not a heater core yet).
Here's my dilemma-for about the same cost, I can throw in a new aluminum radiator with electric fans.
Other than the power draw, which is only a concern in low speed traffic, I can't see a downside to going to an electric fan.
Anybody have a downside to the swap?

You might want to get info on the CFM of both setups. Mechanical fans typically kick ass over electric. The low speed traffic concern is CFM and power draw.
An electric fan is fine for a small FWD car , not my first choice for a Jeep or Truck.

 

[dirtycoyotelj]

Unless you are going to spend the money on a brushless pulse width modulated fan it's not worth it. Most brushed fans won't pull the same cfm as the mechanical fan.

 

[JustDandee]

, I’m just using a two speed ford Taurus fan I had laying around. I was chasing those incremental gains of reducing engine load and the benefit of not trying to pull air through the radiator on 10 degree morning commutes. Will you feel the gains of not having a fan? not as a stand-alone mod but is quieter in the morning and low speed putting down a forest road. Flip side you will be hard pressed to match the CFM and reliability of staying with the mechanical.

 

[Mhass]

Thanks for the replies. Still haven't decided which route I'll go.
The stock setup definitely cools great. I've had zero issues. Even with the fan shroud pulled on a 100 degree day the temp never budged above 205.
I have run electric fans on my 72 F350. They pulled plenty of air to cool the 390 through a stock radiator.
After spending a little more time looking at it, I don't think I can match the cost of the whole setup and switch to electric. Damn, EVERYTHING has gone up in price considerably!
I think I'll be sticking with the mechanical fan. I am going to go ahead with radiator, hoses, clutch, T-stat and water pump though...I know as soon as I do that the old heater core will get jealous and start pissin on the floor board...I'll burn that bridge when I cross it