rpalmer Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 I have an '85 GL dual-range 4wd carbed wagon and will be driving from Kansas to Salt Lake City here in a week or so. I'll be on my way back to school, so I'll have the thing pretty well loaded with supplies, my tools, a couple plants, bikes, etc. In looking through various repair manuals, I've seen diagrams of the belts and pulleys that show a belt-driven fan mounted to the engine, but only on the 4wd models. Mine doesn't have one, although it does have the electric fan on the radiator. The engine was replaced before I got it, so if the fan ever was there, it might just not have made it on to the new engine. Basically, my question is, as I will be doing a lot of mountain climbing in a heavily-laden 20-year old Soob, should I look into installing another electric fan in the thing? And should it be on all the time or connected to the same thermostatic switch as the existing one? Or by a switch on the dashboard? I should also mention that I'm rebuilding the engine as we speak, and that when I was driving it before the engine went to pot, it would run a bit warm in the mountains. It never had a problem here on the Great Plains. Thanks Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1985GLWAGON Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 Mine's an '85 DR 4x4 and it has both fans, I'd recommend putting a mechanical one back in, the electric fans on these, and especially the thermo-switch are notorious for going out. I assume you don't have the metal shroud there anymore? I'd just put a fan on anyway, and if you have access to a junkyard or something see if you can pull a shroud too, I think it's just like 4 bolts or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calebz Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 Personally, I would run 2 electrics. One on a switch (thermal or manual) and one on all the time.. But its hot here and I drive a turbo car:-p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Numbchux Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 I run just the electric fan (I took off the machanical...it robs horsepower and would be a problem in water) and I don't have any problems. I had the electric fan switched to a little toggle switch (with relay!) on the dash, then that melted my little fuse holder, so i wired it right to the ignition coil. ANyway, the point is, I turn my fan off after about 30 mph, and it cools just fine, even with a full load (spare engine block + college load). if you're worried about it, you could wire the fan to be always on, cut the two wires, lengthen them, touch them to the battery to see which way sucks the air through, then put your positive on the + side of the ignition coil, and the negative to a ground somewhere, and poof! the fan will stay on with the ignition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet82 Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 I've driven around SLC for 23 years in my Subie. Many times heavly loaded or pulling a trailer up the canyons. I have never had a problem heating up at any grade or elevation. My heat gauge does not move. The stock electric fan keeps the temp constant. I'd top off the radiatior and go. My .02 Glenn 82 SubaruHummer 84 GL Mad Max 01 Forester Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorganM Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 The electric fan is actually the main fan. Only models with AC came with an auxilary clutch fan on the water pump. As long as your electric fan comes on when it should and operates at full RPM it's doing it's job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1985GLWAGON Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 Really? I never knew that the electric one was the main fan, guess it makes sense, since most FWD cars nowadays have only one electric. Guess I just didn't think about it. Anyway, I'm glad mine came with AC since my electric fan has a bad squeal and the thermo-switch has never worked since I've gotten it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoahDL88 Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 Worst case, roll down the windows and turn on the heater, i've had to do that a few times, but it usually works like a champ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samo Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 How many of you guys are running A/C? I've got A/C in my wagon, and it's got a good radiator. I've been wanting to pull the clutch fan because of issues with water crossings - just wondering if it's a good idea or not. It doesn't get too hot up here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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