Fan upgrade int 1983 944 NA
 

Thanks to some advice from "BOBE" on an earlier post, I have decided to upgrade my dual 3-fan radiator fan setup. I have the setup below right now:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1245945555.jpg

I have the option of buying a dual 6-blade setup from an 86 944 turbo:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1245945608.jpg

Or a 6/3 blade setup from a an 84 944 NA:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1245945671.jpg

I would rather use the 951 setup, if possible.

I understand the wiring issues from searching prior posts. However, does anyone know if either of these bolt right in? Any mods necessary? Any recommendations?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

I changed out the 3 blade fan assembly with the 6 blade fan assembly on my 83. The newer 6 bladed fans went on fine with the entire frame. The bolt pattern to the radiator is the same.

The one thing to look out for is the clearance between the pass side fan blades and the lower radiator hose. I had to cut a little off the hose where it goes on to the water pump to get the room for the blade to spin.

Wiring. Check the direction of rotation to make sure the fan is not spinning backwards.

I've never seen or heard of the 6 blade 3 blade deal on an 84. It would probably work fine.

I've seen a writeup on rebuilding the fan motor if needed.

Just be careful I cant remember which car this came out of but the fan shroud was a different size, it was larger then the one in my car, I dont know if the shroud was an earlier or later model but it was bigger then my 88

I changed the driver side 3-blade fan to a 6-blade fan due to a bad motor in my '83 944 with excellent results.
The 6-blade fan is quieter in the low speed mode when operating with the passenger side 3-blade fan for normal cooling. It also seems quieter than the 3-blade when it goes on high speed with the A/C on.
I did have to change to smaller terminals on the existing wires to fit the 6-blade fan motor.
You should check the rotation of the fans as suggested by AKCJ.:)

The turbo shroud won't fit the NA radiator.

you can use your shroud and swap the 6 blade fans in. Really easy, 3 bolts hold the fans to the shroud.

Cooling problem solved...
 

I exchanged the stock 3-blade compressor / radiator fan (A/C passenger side) with a 6-blade fan.

She runs cool now (just above 1/2 on the guage) - especially once I figured out it was spinning backward and reversed the wires.!

when i traded the 3bl for 6bl/shroud in the '84, they bolted right in without any rubbing on the lower hose.do check the alignment on the upper/lower bolt holes.

the 6bl/shroud came from a later model, not sure if turbo or not.

fwiw:
there are two different hoses, one rubs, one doesn't, no need to butcher the hose and maybe end up with leaks.

opqr what the heck is that post all about???

^^^
Its a little thing called spam.


The turbo shroud should be a different size and will not fit your N/A. Buy fans from a N/A (not S or S2 either, I think they are the same size as a turbo) and you should be set.
The 6 blade fans are quite a bit quieter than the 3 blade fans and do move a bit more air, worth the time to upgrade if you can.

Yeah, but if he should be able to use his old shroud and just bolt the fans in, right? Then just get the fans, without a shroud, and all the 6-blades are the same, turbo, N/A, etc.

You can save some money and postage doing it like that.

To make sure we're on the same page, which way should the fans be blowing? On early cars, the harness plugs are notched. By plugging them in correctly the fans should go the right way. I don't know about the 85.5s though...

harness plug 477 959 459A

The fans should pull air through the radiator into the engine compartment.

This isn't true of all early cars. My 83 just has two spade connectors for each fan.

My 84 also has 2 spade connectors, but they are set in a nylon connector that is notched on one side. And if you had looked at the fan plug fixture, you would see that I am right, it is notched, like all the 6 blade OEM Porsche 944 fans or even the old 3 blade fans. That way, if someone less talented is working on the system, even they will understand the polarity. I happen to have a 3 blade and a 6 blade fan in my office that I looked at. :cool:

Is there a way to upgrade the single fan wiring to the dual fan wiring?