I have a 86 na 13b. So when i go for a spin, it does good when im on the freeway but once i get stopped for about ten minutes or go slow for a long period of time it starts to overheat but only steam comes out with very little radiator at all. I replaced thermostat and radiator cap. the fan seems good. when its off hot or cold it spins about the same, about halfway around when i give it a good push with my hand. i threw some alumaseal in the radiator also. i havent put new hoses on yet but that is a priority. I'm looking at replacing the water pump, radiator, hoses, fan clutch and adding a electric fan as well just to make sure this beater i cooling properly. I hear these cars arent the best with cooling. another thing to note are some loose wires on the right side near the area of the spark plugs. one has a plastic surrounding another im guessing i a ground for a different part. but could the one with the plastic surrounding be a connection to the fan? i have no idea where this connects to ive been looking all over cant find the other connection. any ideas? thanks much.

 

If the fan clutch spins the same speed either hot or cold, chances are the clutch mechanism is not working correctly, and you need a new radiator fan clutch. When the clutch fan is hot, it should be significantly harder to rotate than when it is cold.

Honestly on FCs, if the cooling system is operating correctly, there should be no reason for it to overheat. Like any 25 year old car, you just have to make sure everything is operating correctly. Check for leaks, check the thermostat, check the water pump, check the radiator, etc. etc..

Adding an electric fan WILL not magically help it cool better. In a lot of cases, it actually decreases cooling performance because most people don't know what they are doing. Stick with the stock clutch fan, just make sure it is operating correctly.

Concerning the wire: the radiator fan is just an engine rotated clutch fan, there would be no wires for it.

 

cool thanks for the info. I'm thinking about the electric fan install ive seen how to's on it and look fairly simple. the new clutch ive seen priced at 130 bucks and ive seen fans alot cheaper then that. Does it add horsepower or make the engine more efficient when the fan and pulleys and all that is gutted from it? Ill have to search on here for info about it.

 

adding an electric fan does nothing to the horsepower and throttle response isn't all that noticable I would just replace your stock clutch fan unless you absolutely need the room. and also make sure you have your undertray scoop and fan shroud.

 

It's funny that I am vouching for the clutch fan even though on my Turbo I have an E-fan lol.

When done right an E-fan can be a very good asset to have. Benefits include:

- More room in engine bay
- 1/4 butt hp gain
- Ability to control when you want it on via either a switch or a temperature controlled relay

The problem is, a lot of people don't take into account how large of an air volume they need to pull through. If your E-fan isn't efficient enough, you will need to have a fan shroud on your radiator.. which practically defeats the purpose of freeing up room. Even then, some people with fan shrouds and E-fans complain of inefficient cooling. Not to mention the fact that the crappy FC alternator can't really provide enough juice to compinsate for the E-fan.

BUT, if done right, there will be benefits as mentioned above.

Here is a pic of mine (before I swapped a turbo engine in)

 

huh. well then ill probably end up spending about the same on an electric fan then it seems. BUT yes I would like the room and im also removing the ac and depowering the power steering. any sugestions on a nice e fan? i read a archive on here for installing a taurus electric fan with a thermo switch. I understand the elctrical issues you talk of funkjaw. It should work good though if i have the thermo switch and fuses properly installed right? and yeah i hear ya on the alternator issue. i just replaced my battery and alternator a few weeks ago and cleaned up a bunch of grounds. still having issues with it. I might be switching to a better amp. and I will try to get around to a compression test asap. anyone know the average price of that service? i have been having idling issues and cant adjust with the tps or the screw on the top there....