How To Install an Electric Fan

Classic Mustangs have always been plagued with cooling issues. When they were first introduced, their cooling systems were fairly effective, especially the base sticker-price models void of air conditioning and other power accessories. As Mustangs took on heat-creating options, cooling capacity began to suffer significantly. In more recent years, we've found innovative ways to improve classic-Mustang cooling systems with three- and four-row radiators, heavy-duty fans, shrouds, and in more recent times, electric cooling fans.

The beauty of electric cooling fans is efficiency. They don't consume power the way an engine-driven fan does. As the engine revs, a mechanical fan takes more power to turn, depending on its design. Electric fans turn at a constant speed as needed without robbing power and fuel.

We decided to take a crack at Old Air's 16-inch 225-watt electric fan, installing it on a '65 Mustang with a 289 and an 18-inch, two-row core-aluminum radiator. It provides 2,320 cfm of air flow. Installation was easy and performance has been exceptional. Once the fan's thermostat is dialed in, cooling is spot-on. The only problem we encountered was the Mustang's 60-amp alternator's ability to keep up. When an electric cooling fan is installed, we suggest the installation of a 100- to 130-amp alternator to keep the battery fully charged.

Old Air's 16-inch 225-watt cooling fan is an easy bolt-on for standard 18-inch Mustang radiators. Ease of installation depends on your radiator's width. The wider the radiator, the more likely it is that you'll have to shim the fan for a perfect fit. An adjustable thermostat controls coolant temperature.

Our 18-inch aftermarket aluminum radiator is wider than the factory version. In this case, we must shim the fan for a proper fit.

First, remove all four radiator-retaining bolts. These are the electric fan's anchor points.