Just installed electric fan kit and water temp gage. I jnstalled the fan kit sender in the plug at the bottom rear driver's side of motor per instructions. I know the fan is supposed to come on around 176 degrees. I turned on the diagnostic function of the digital speedo and it is within a degree or 2 of my water temp gage. Funny thing is that the fan doesn't kick on till 190 degrees and shuts down at 180 degrees. The fan kit sender must be getting a colder reading at the back of the motor down low. I placed my water temp gage on the boss at the passenger side front of motor. I was wondering if anyone else had noticed this variance in temps.

 

Do NOT put your temp sender in the block. The block is the first place that gets fresh coolant, and is close to 20 degrees cooler than the heads, which is where you SHOULD be using a sender for temp gauge or thermostat. Best place we've found is on the front of the manifold, pass side, in the water jacket runner. You have to tap it, but it's easy and some grease on the tap catches all the tappings. Using the block is conveinent, but it's a really stupid place for that sender.

 

I put my water gage on the boss at the passenger side front. Is there another spot to install the fan kit sender? I just checked the installaton instructions and they say that the fan comes on at 186 and turns off at 176.

 

I have heard of some guys installing the sender in the thermostat housing also.

Anyone have the part numbers on the water temp sensor/switch sold with these kits? I found them in Summit for $42 from Hypertech orf $59 from Painless wiring, just know they must be available by themselves in the local aftermarket, anybody know?

 

What if you could buy a colder sender to put in the block drain plug? That would come on earlier and keep the motor cooler.

 

Standard motor products makes a screw in sensor that is rated 185 degrees part number TS87 radiator fan switch. It is the pipe thread that measures about .800" on the od. Two 1/4" spade connectors.

Hope this helps

 

I am interested in your opinion as I live in the desert and am thinking of the electric fan/cobra water pump setup.

I liked the idea of that old Buick fan swap-out as it had a hi/low option.

thanks,

brad

 

If you want a selection of thermostate switches that fit in the block, go to WWW.electricfanengineering.com. They have switches down to 155 degrees in 10 degree increments which should solve your problem.

Harold

 

Thanks for doing the footwork Harold! I bought the fan kit because I knew it had everything needed. It was easy to install. I did have to buy a couple of tools from Sears but no big deal. I got my fan from Mark at Lightningforce and it was about $50 less than JDM. It is the same one JDM sells,even came with their instructions in the box! Any questions you might have, just ask. Someone on the board will answer them.

 

Thanks FASTRNU for the headsup on the $50 saving from Mark at LightningForce

 

The kit you got IS the JDM Electric Fan Kit. Mark rebrands most of the items he resells. Not sure why . . .

 

Can anybody who has this fan kit tell me who manufactures the fan inself? Thanks

 

FoMoCo

Mike

 

For information purposes, prior to the fan kit install the diagnostic function of the instrument panel odometer indicated the water temperature constant at 88 degrees C, which is 190 degrees F with the stock thermostate (which is 180 degrees F). The outside air temperature indicated 92 degrees F at the time.