Installing an oil cooler fan on an '84 Carrera

[ChkbookMechanic]

I know PP has a tech article on how to install a fan on a Carrera-style cooler for the SCs using stock parts to make it look factory. However, I had an aftermarket cooling fan relay and a Carrera whose fuses aren't the same as an SC. So I thought I'd give a quick rundown on what I did in case anyone else comes looking and perhaps my wiring adventure can at least help someone.

The aftermarket cooling fan relay is the one sold by Elephant Racing. It has the ability to control two fans and can handle a max of 25 amps between the two fans. It also has the ability to turn the fans on automatically when the a/c kicks in (or when you choose to wire a switch inline on this wire). I installed the fan onto the oil cooler using the instructions that came with the fan and then installed the probe into the cooler as the relay's instructions described. The relay itself was positioned in the front of the trunk underneath the trunk latch.

For the fan (Perma-cool puller):

• The 12V wire from the fan is connected to the 12V+ on the relay for fan 1.
• The fan's ground was grounded to the chassis.

For the relay (Derale #16759):

• The constant 12V was connected directly to the battery and had a 25amp fuse inline to the relay
• 12V lead for fan 1 was connected to the installed fan using a quick connect/disconnect connection
• The relay's ground I extended and then grounded it on the ground above the fuse box in the trunk
• The 12V switched wire I extended and then attached to fuse 7 relay panel 1 (25amp windshield washer/wiper fuse)
• The 2nd fan 12V wire was just wrapped up and tucked away
• The a/c clutch line is currently not connected to anything, although I could easily run a wire from fuse 7 to a switch in the cockpit and then to the relay I haven't just yet.

I debated on which fuse to use for the 12V switched and the Bentley manual gives conflicting information as to which fuse does what (fuse 6 and 7 are switched between their diagrams and the list of the fuses control later in the chapter) so I went with what my fuse panel said and picked the fuse that had components that I used least and knew had 12V switched power.

The wiring was extended using quick connect/disconnect fully insulated connectors so if I ever feel that I need to rearrange the trunk I can easily move the relay and just have to cut new wires to the new length.

[DRACO A5OG]

Nice Write Up!

[slodave]

Do you have any pics? You have the brass cooler right? I have been thinking of doing something like this as well, but, since the driving goes down in summer time, it's back on the list of things to do. Thanks!

[DRACO A5OG]

Hey Dave,

I love to be your helper when you get around to doing the upgrade. I too been thinking alot about this.

Jim

[ChkbookMechanic]

Originally Posted by slodave

Do you have any pics? You have the brass cooler right? I have been thinking of doing something like this as well, but, since the driving goes down in summer time, it's back on the list of things to do. Thanks!

I'll see about adding pictures tomorrow, it is a tad dark right now. I have upgraded to one of the widemouth carrera oil coolers since the cooler that came with my car was original and leaking profusely. The entire process is pretty easy but the wiring took me about 30 minutes since I wanted matching colors on the wires along with clean wire routing.

[slodave]

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

Hey Dave,

I love to be your helper when you get around to doing the upgrade. I too been thinking alot about this.

Jim

Jim, you are more than welcome, but you may be an old man. It is something I was considering as a temporary fix for my crushed oil line. Temps only get to about 9:00, but it would be nice to have for the occasional traffic jam, long fast food line...

[slodave]

Originally Posted by ChkbookMechanic

I'll see about adding pictures tomorrow, it is a tad dark right now. I have upgraded to one of the widemouth carrera oil coolers since the cooler that came with my car was original and leaking profusely. The entire process is pretty easy but the wiring took me about 30 minutes since I wanted matching colors on the wires along with clean wire routing.

Thanks. I thought that you might have upgraded the cooler. I was hoping to get some ideas on how to mount the fan/s on the brass cooler. Pics are always nice though!

[ChkbookMechanic]

Originally Posted by slodave

Thanks. I thought that you might have upgraded the cooler. I was hoping to get some ideas on how to mount the fan/s on the brass cooler. Pics are always nice though!

The fan comes with zip ties that you run through the oil cooler rows. I'm sure you can use them to get the fan to mount onto the brass tubes on the cooler rather easily.

[DRACO A5OG]

Originally Posted by slodave

Jim, you are more than welcome, but you may be an old man. It is something I was considering as a temporary fix for my crushed oil line. Temps only get to about 9:00, but it would be nice to have for the occasional traffic jam, long fast food line...

Crushed Lines & 9:00 +1, Hey I had to read twice, I thought you were saying I am an old man. LOL. Well, I guess I am

[ChkbookMechanic]

Here are some pictures of my install...

This is where I pulled the 12V switched from


Here is where I grounded the relay


Here is how I routed the 12V switched, ground and 12V constant to the relay


And here is where the 12V to the fan and temp probe find their way out of the trunk


Here is how the fan and probe are mounted.


And, in all its glory the relay and my wonderful temporary mounting position


Just for the heck of it, a picture of the fan as through the Pelican Parts scoop..

[DRACO A5OG]

Very Cool (sorry for the pund)

Can't wait to do the up on my baby.

Thanks for the pics!