Tek's budget elec fan swap w/Pontiac Fiero GT fan

[HyperTek]

Im on a no-job budget and probably shouldnt be taking this on since money is short, but I wont skip on a quality job :)

As some of you know, i picked up a fiero gt elec fan from the junk yard for $15 during new years half off sale.
YouTube - Pontiac Fiero GT Electric radiator fan testing mazda rx7 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9hq_fT45CE&feature=channel_page)

I been waiting for my other items to come in. Not wanting to half ass this, i did some homework.
Ordered a Parts America/Hayden 3651 adjustible fan controller *typically around $45, scored it new on ebay for $25*
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38mm radiator hose temp sensor adapter $8 plus shipping on ebay
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30/40 amp relay
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New VDO water temp gauge $10bucks *seller had a surplus of these he bought in bulk*., and $9 for the temp sender unit
*I choose VDO for its inexpensive price and quality... Known to be great gauges, typically found in european cars. I prefer them over Autometer *I dislike them* or any other cheap gauges*
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1/8 npt drill tap, a few bucks on ebay*not pictured, still waiting for delivery*
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I plan to plumb the elec fan controller temp sending unit in the 38mm rad hose sensor adapter. This should be more accurate then typical probe style fan controllers.

When i plumb the water temp gauge, i will do that at the typical water pump jacket area which will require drilling out/tapping threads into the hole , which should supply accurate readings for the gauge.

Back to the adapter piece, WHen i ordered the fan controller, i figured the temp sender piece would be 1/8 npt thread as I thought i read somewhere, and turns out it is not, its actually bigger... 1/2 maybe?
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I believe I can just simply drill and tap this out.. I will see if I have any taps in this size.
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[HyperTek]

just got done tapping
3/8 18 npt drill tap
was a pain in the ass since i dont have a bench clamp or drill press, i had to use a hand drill and kept moving up a size in drill bits til i was able to use the tap. But the end product is beautiful
weeeeeeeeeee
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That will be going right here
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[kingkilburn]

Very nice. Do you plan on posting a wiring diagram?

[HyperTek]

well its on my rx7 , but generally its the same steps to installing one on a 240, except whichever fan control unit you go with might be different *some use a probe that pops into the radiator to read temp*

All pics are taken from my cell phone btw, dont feel like stopping during my process to bust out my old digital cam and snapping, usually having the phone in my pocket i can quickly snap a few pics as I go

I cleaned up the fan and test fitted, to check how it fits and what needs to be done.
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Onto making mounting brackets, I did left and right.. I used some aluminum sheetmetal that i had scraps of from prior projects.
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My favorite tool... Dremel Rotary tool... lol
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This part is pretty straightforward, just drill a hole in the piece, trial mount, and bend it around to form to the fan..
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Get an idea of where to drill the other hole to bolt to the fan shroud. Trim some of the plastic where it meets against the rad so you can have clearance to mount the brackets on the inside of the fan.
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Mounted
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*I might need to make one more bracket for the bottom of the fan to be more secure. It only takes like 5 minutes to make one*

And thats where Im at for today.. it got dark and i dont have a garage here... Ill tackle the wiring tomarrow, and hope that my 1/8 npt tap arrives in the mail so i can get onto installing the temp gauge.

[S-Nation S13]

thats whats up e-fans FTW!!! like the set up im using alti's on my 240 only thing is im not using a fan controller one hooked up to the fuel pump fuse runnin as soon as car is turned on (low) one runnin on a switch (high) of course im usin 15 amp fuses and 30 amp relays im lookin into gettin a fan controller though

[HyperTek]

Heres what i came up with for my wiring..

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I soldered most of my wires where needed and shrink wrapped for durability. I just need to test the fan harness and make sure the polarity is correct, than ill shorten and solder the harness up.

[HyperTek]

actually im not even sure if i need that first relay.. ?
the fan controller has its own wire for ignition source.. I think some people suggested i rock a relay for the fan controller... Guess its just to save load on whatever ignition source i tap into

[HyperTek]

source for 12v ignition to the relay
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Fan control sender sensor installed
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Relay and wiring tucked away
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Heres the VDO temp sender and gauge
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[kingkilburn]

Cool shit. Have you had the chance to test it out?

[JDMSTYLE]

nice write up and fc! ive had 3 fb's in the past and one with a camden supercharger :)

[ixfxi]

I didnt know they sell those T-pipes for the sensor. I had my welder make one, not as pretty but just as functional.

[Om1kron]

yup! I stri sells them