[6pack] Electric cooling fan: pusher or puller?

[Navarrette, Vance]

 	Mitch:

	I must admit that there is zero to go wrong with the Triumph mechanical fan.
OK, I suppose it could fall off, but other than that it is as reliable as an
anvil.
	The overwhelming sense of the industry is that electrical fans, even though
they cost more, are the way to go. Improved power and mileage as well as 0
noise when the car is at speed (since it is off most of the time) is difficult
to argue with. Even the old clutch driven fan which narrowed the efficiency
gap has disappeared. Heck the trend now is for more electrically driven
accessories like power steering. With clear advantages like the fan, it needs
no explanation as to why push is continuing.
	In all the cars I have ever owned with electric fans (the last 5, spanning 24
years) I have not had a single electric fan failure. So I guess I can say that
the reliability is certainly up to snuff.
	Consider this too; Let's say your electric fan poops out completely. Are you
stranded? Certainly not. You open the heater valve, set the heater fan on max,
and continue on your way. The heater will keep you on the road until you get
the real fan fixed. You will get home, sweaty but safe. So you have a built in
back up available at all times.

	Vance

    Vance Navarrette
    Cogito Ergo Zoom
    I think, therefore I go fast

-----Original Message-----
From: 6pack-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:6pack-bounces at autox.team.net] On
Behalf Of Mitch
Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 8:47 AM
To: Andrew Packard
Cc: 6pack at autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [6pack] Electric cooling fan: pusher or puller?

With all the talk of electric cooling fans I must admit my fear of
roadside break downs. I have used an electric fan as an auxiliary for
many years but have always been afraid to rely on it as the only means
of cooling. I hate to get stuck & have never in the ten years I've had
this six. I have had one electric fan fail in this time period though.
Of course every late model car I own has only elec units to provide
cooling. I guess my question is since it seems so many have converted
solely to elec fans, what is your long term reliability history. Since
my fan is mounted as a pusher, the elimination of the mechanical fan
would give me more room when changing a V-belt & clean up the engine
bay. All experiences welcome.

Thanks


--
Mitch Seff
Oceanside, N.Y.
75 TR6 SC
http://www.triumphowners.com/384