My fan is crumbling. Makes me wonder about the viscous clutch. Should I try and replace with stock parts or go with an electric fan?

 

Responded to this in your other thread.Replace fan blade assembly,test fan clutch.
For a stock car stick with oe fan and clutch and shroud. Mazda did a very good job at designing them. They move a lot of air-when needed.
Takes a very strong electric fan to come close to cfm the oe fan moves. Such an electric fan while available comes with a pretty good amp load-especially at startup and with that comes a strain on your stock electrical system. You see where this is going ,right?
Replace damaged oe fan(used),replace belts and put your money into other maintenance items car will need.

 

Thanks! Have worked on a lot of cars in my youth, making them "better". My old bones always prefer, and respect, the stock build. Lots of work and engineering that goes into the build. Much respect.

Thanks for the advise. Wondered about the electrical power available. Accustomed to working with 110 amp alternators running on a minimum of 150 foot pounds of torque.

 

12A cars came with a 55 amp alternator oe and while it can keep the battery charged and power the electrical components in the car,adding a sizable electric accessory will cut into the small margin of reserve the system has.

Aside from maintenance,there are some basic upgrades you can do. You can install a 2nd gen alternator in place of yours,plug and play. They're rated at 70 amps which gives your system a pretty good boost. Put headlights on relays,actually install a relayed headlight harness.
This makes your headlights brighter enabling you to see better at night and inclement weather,but the bigger payoff is your headlight function switch which is the Achilles heel of the lighting system,will last forever as now it only carries the milliamps necessary to switch the relays and the relays carry the load of the headlamps.

 

Understand all of that. Now for one head light that won't go down sometimes.

 

Back when these cars were new this was a problem too. Under warranty i would replace the relay in whatever side was not working properly. These days only have a few of these left so i've turned to taking the relay out of the harness on headlight retractor and opening it up and cleaning the contact faces on the relay. They get somewhat corroded and pitted with age.
A light stroke of light grade sandpaper or a fingernail file til cleaned up,a shot of electrical cleaner,blast of air to dry. Reassemble/replace in harness and give a try. Usually 90%or better chance of success.
Only thing you have to lose is some time. It'll help you to better understand your car.

 

Having trouble finding a stock fan.

 

Have you tried posting a wtb for one in 1st gen classifieds?

 

Look on ebay,one currently advertised there for $35+$15 shipping. Fair price.