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greyDAK
Dodge Dakota
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8/23/2004
13:12:56
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 Subject: removed clutch fan
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Message:
well, I did it this weekend. Spent about an hour with a big screwdriver, a hammer and a big vise grip, but it came off. With the shroud and the fan gone it opens up the front of the engine really well. I put in the colder thermostat, and put in an automatic fan controller for the electric unit I mounted in its place. Did I mention that my neighbour gave me a fan unit. He was cleaning out his garage and was going to throw it away! So one man's junk is another's gold!
I noticed right away a faster spin-up of the engine and no dinosaur roar when its first started. Now I will see if there is any improvement in fuel mileage. Also noted that the engine is very much cooler from the t-stat. I need to be careful because up here in Canada, she gets really cold in the winter and I might just need to put the hotter unit back in.
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RadioMan
Dodge Dakota
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8/23/2004
14:09:58
|  RE: removed clutch fan
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Message:
I think I would have kept the factory t-stat in
for now.
I'm not sold on the idea of lowering the water
temp yet.
Let us know if mileage improves.
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greyDAK
Dodge Dakota
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8/23/2004
15:04:21
|  RE: removed clutch fan
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No problem. I know what you mean about the t-stat. Luckily it wont break the bank to put a higher temp one back in (the original one was in need of a change and the gasket was oozing too, so it was time in any case)
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TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
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8/25/2004
01:20:49
| RE: removed clutch fan
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Message:
Hey Grey,
That sure is a lot of time and effort, to do one of the simpliest mods.
Didn't you have an electric fan already on there?
You didn't say what you got. However, if you're talking about an oozing gasket, must not be a 4.7, that comes with the electric fan.
Welcome to the crowd of: NO belt/clutch fan.
You did take the fan clutch off too, right?
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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8/25/2004
16:01:09
| RE: removed clutch fan
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Message:
Ok, so you spend a couple hours time struggling to ge the fan off. And (unless you're lucky) you spend $100+ on a good electric fan. What's the advantage? Do you really get better gas mileage? Or actually get some power? (on a real meter, not the butt-dyno).
I'd do it, too, if there are some proven benifits.
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QC
Dodge Dakota
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8/25/2004
16:32:24
| RE: removed clutch fan
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Message:
Exactly - What do you pick up, half a hp? Im not to sure I want to mess with the trucks cooling , ect. for so little gain. I would think the benefits of having the original set up would out way the small HP gains, if any. Im with you .boB
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greyDAK
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
8/25/2004
17:02:29
|  RE: removed clutch fan
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Message:
The fan was a freebie, cause if I had to buy one I wouldnt do it. I wasnt doing it for the HP, although any gain is a good gain if the price is right. The cost of the automatic controller cost me about $40, but I could have done it with a manual switch (again for free since I have switches lying about). The automatic one turns the fan on when its idling in traffic, it never gets warm enough for it to come on when driving.
I did this for the gas savings. Although I dont have any numbers right now, I cant see how it would hurt it.
And for the record, no, I did not already have an electric fan on my Dak. Its the base model with virtually nothing added (no air conditioning, nothing).
So, would I have done this mod again? Yes, if I had the free fan. It seems to spool the engine faster (not the weight of the air to cut through) and it seems to be more responsive in general. Is this measurable, I dont know, but I know I can feel it with the bum-dyno.
No warrany issue, since I have no warranty
and one big advantage: Changing the serpentine belt is 100% easier now, and no cut/missing fingers in the process!
secondary advantage: if and when I can muster up the bucks, the twin turbos have a nice place to sit now (dreaming....)
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TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
8/25/2004
18:19:28
| RE: removed clutch fan
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Message:
what about Bob?
I'm not going to search the archives for you, but it's been dynoed on a 4.7, to be around 5 hp.
Any flywheels on the system take energy to spin. The clutch is a small flywheel, but it takes some enery, not to mention when the fan is engaged.
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greyDAK
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
8/25/2004
19:29:47
|  RE: removed clutch fan
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Message:
like I said, since the fan was a freebie, I gained 5hp(?) for the effort. It took me about an hour to remove the fan, and most of that was trying to figure out which way the thing spun off the pulley. Once that was done, a couple of smaks with a hammer on the end of the wrench (I used a vise grip cause I dont have a big enough wrench) and it started to come off. I disconnected the shroud and carefully removed the fan so it didnt make contact with the rad. Then I pulled them out together. Now they reside in the rafters of the garage, collecting dust. On my 6, it frees up about 10 inches deep of unused space. It is pretty obvous a much larger engine can fit in this space.
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
8/26/2004
03:55:44
| RE: removed clutch fan
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Message:
Thanx, Todd. 5 hp. Hmmm. Might be worth it. On an old small block ford it's worth about 20-25 hp.
I used a Black Magic fan on a V6 T-Bird a while back. Didn't notice any differance. Total waste of time and money.
grayDak, if you notice a change in your fuel mileage, do me a favor and let me know.
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greyDAK
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
8/26/2004
08:38:46
| RE: removed clutch fan
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Message:
No problem. I am planning an 800 Km trip early in September. Normally I can do it on 1 tank (400 there, 400 back right on the nut) so I will be carefully monitoring it. On my Dak, I have the 83 liter tank (I think that is the 22 gallon version - the big one), so that works out to be about 10 liters per 100 km (which I think is about 570 miles on 22 gallons which gives me about 25 mpg on the highway - not bad to start with). I've done this trip dozens of times and it always takes me 1 tank there and back, so this will be interesting.
In the city, who knows: mostly controlled by my right foot and who's in the lane beside me.
If I see a difference, and I hope I do for all the work I did (who am I kidding, I love it), I'll let everyone know
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