Oil Cooler Fan

[kyngfish]

Hello Pelicans,

Just a quick question. I have an 86 Carrera without the oil cooler fan. Thinking about putting the elephant racing fan on the existing oil cooler, someone said you can make your own bracket for the fan, and even the ER people say the fan fits on the existing cooler. Living in Miami, I think this is necessary to do.

Can anyone point to a post that helps me do this? I've searched around and haven't found anything specific.

[merlinfe]

Just piece your own kit together. 7-8" flat blade fans work well and are reversible. Not sure if your oil cooler has the placement for the internal temp switch or not, but it's not hard to mount them externally if needed. The only thing left is wiring. A simple relay set up will work with a switched 12v input and a battery hook up. Really not hard, just time consuming. And don't lock yourself into Porsche only setups. They are all pretty much the same except for mounting to the cooler.

FAN: http://www.amazon.com/Spal-30100393-Straight-Blade-Profile/dp/B003PB4444

- Steve

[Barrpete]

I did this on my '86 several years ago. IIRC the fan itself didn't need a bracket, it attaches to the cooler with zip ties. The brackets you need are to move the horns forward a bit to clear the fan and one to replace the existing upper bracket (I think it was) with a shortened one. I fabbed both out of some scrap metal I had laying around. It was no big deal. I'd also highly recommend getting the installation kit. It has the relay and adjustable thermo switch to turn the fan on.

[kyngfish]

Any pics?

Also, how does the adjustable thermo work well being on the outside?

[patz]

I switched to a manual fan. The thermo switch turned on too high a temp for my tastes.

[Barrpete]

Originally Posted by kyngfish

Any pics?

Also, how does the adjustable thermo work well being on the outside?

I'll have to check and see. It was quite a few years ago when I did this and not sure if I still have any pics.

The thermo switch has probe that you insert into the cooler fins. The controller mounts in the frunk.

[Barrpete]

Originally Posted by patz

I switched to a manual fan. The thermo switch turned on too high a temp for my tastes.

The ER thermo switch is adjustable. You can set the on temp anywhere from 170* to 210*. I just set mine at 170*.

[patz]

I must have had an older model, non adjustable. That's why I removed it.

[uwanna]

Just forget the thermo switch and put a switch on the dashboard (in the spot where the rear wiper switch would be located, you can find the rear wiper switch at Pelican Parts). Use the switch to energize a fan motor relay.
The stock thermo switch doesn't kick on till about 230deg. By the time it turns on the fan, the oil is already highly heat soaked and will take a loong time to reduce temp!
I keep my fan switch in the on position almost all the time, that way the fan stops the heat rise as it begins (when the thermostat in the oil line opens at 180-190deg), and it never gets to 230deg yikes. I only turn off the fan switch when weather is 70deg or below.

EDIT: here's a good thread on installing a dashboard fan switch!
oil cooler fan t'stat and switch installation

[paulmose]

Here is a link to some pics of my fan addition, I added a Porsche relay to the fuse box, went with a manual switch on the dash...... got all of my info and parts from Pelican, this is very easy, just pay attention to your wiring. Note, because space is tight, I did change out my horns for smaller Hella units, now that I am much better at making brackets, I might put them back some day just to stay original. It is a weird space in there, once you see it you'll understand more about how things fit.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulmoseleyphotos/albums/72157651096993450

This are my favorite wiring links

Yet another cooling fan question

Relay Question

Plus a couple more

Installation of my $15 Oil Cooler Fan.

cooler fan installation

[carreraken]

Here's a link to my install.

[zedsn]

I just got done doing this and added an aftermarket fan and an adjustable fan switch with probe from 170 to 240 degrees but I was also able to run the wiring to manually override the switch and I did not use a relay either because I didn't feel it necessary to do so.

[Joe Bob]

If'n I get in bumper to bumper traffic, I flick the switch and the fan goes on when I WANT it to. Screw that automatic stupid crap.....

[Hoss911sc]

I did this this past summer. I purchased the ER kit and later style Carrera horns. The horn bracket is not the clearance problem. It's the bracket that holds the horns and connects the valence. There is a newer bracket 87+. Without this the fan would not clear the bracket sides near the bottom. ER said it would fit without it but it wouldn't on my car. You can get it through a dismantler or new at a dealer. It's well documented in the Technical Articles here on Pelican with photos and part numbers. I also used the installation kit from ER and it made it simple to wire up. I added an override switch in the dash as well as the thermostat probe. I do not have a rear wiper so I bought that switch from Porsche and used it - all looks factory. I have some photos if you'd like.

Good Luck.

[djdsc]

There is a lot of info here on Pelican. I did this maybe 10 years ago; used an MBZ sensor/switch with a 180* temp, and a dash mounted manual override switch and a factory relay in the fuse box. The sensor switch is there so you don't have to think about it, the override is there if you are stuck in traffic and the relay is just good practice to reduce the load on the switches.