SPAL Fan Installation (Any Tips?)
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,046
Likes: 675
From: FL
Originally Posted by Jack71
He said Spals draw too much juice to tap into the starter and recommended getting power from the source.
Dual 30 amp fuses to dual relays on the firewall controlled by the temp switch in the thermostat housing. On at 195, off at 185.
Also use a quality thermostat for your coolant. With my old 180, the fans would turn on but then it would never get cold off to turn them off. With a Robert Shaw Hi-Flow 180, they will turn on and then off when the car cools down. It will actually cycle the fans at idle.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 3
From: Moon Twp. PA USA
Originally Posted by FNG
...
i put my thermostat switch in the top of the water pump. probably not the best place, but it cycles pretty close to where its supposed to according to my temp guage. the hole for it in my intake is right under my upper hose, so i couldnt use that one. didnt feel like putting it in the head. i figured the water temp at the pump would be close enough for rock and roll. if i could figure out how to post photos , id take a couple and attach em, but i still cant figure that one out.
i put my thermostat switch in the top of the water pump. probably not the best place, but it cycles pretty close to where its supposed to according to my temp guage. the hole for it in my intake is right under my upper hose, so i couldnt use that one. didnt feel like putting it in the head. i figured the water temp at the pump would be close enough for rock and roll. if i could figure out how to post photos , id take a couple and attach em, but i still cant figure that one out.
Thoughts? Anyone?
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,942
Likes: 156
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by FNG
the main 10 guage wire needs to go to a good 12 volt source, i used the battery terminal on my starter. the 'key on" voltage is the small one that goes to the relays. this wire needs to be off when the key is off and on when its on. i guess it doesnt have to be , but if you run it to an always on wire, the fans wont turn off when you shut the key off. waste of battery since the water isnt being pumped anymore and the only coolant that your going to cool off is the water in the radiator. theres 3 wires, i think, id have to go look, on the plug that goes to your wiper motor. one of em is hot when the key is on only.
FNG---did you figure out which pole on the starter is "switched"?
Thread Starter
&amp;quot;Rodstoration &am p;quot; In Progres
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,397
Likes: 1
From: Frisco TX
INSTALLATION COMPLETE!
All went very well and I pulled power directly from the alternator... also pulled power for the relay from the windshield wiper motor. While I was at it, I set up an override relay with a rocker in the ashtray compartment.
One intermittent issue remains... For some reason, my wipers will come on without my touching the wiper switch. Must have something to do with the SPAL installation and power tap into the motor ignition positive. Anyone else delt with this?
Also...something to think about... with an electric fan(s) the AC cooler will no longer get air if the car is not moving and AC is on with engine temp below switch "on" level. Not good... Consider setting up a second ground via the clutch power lead (potentially to another relay if needed).
Am exploring this now.
All went very well and I pulled power directly from the alternator... also pulled power for the relay from the windshield wiper motor. While I was at it, I set up an override relay with a rocker in the ashtray compartment.
One intermittent issue remains... For some reason, my wipers will come on without my touching the wiper switch. Must have something to do with the SPAL installation and power tap into the motor ignition positive. Anyone else delt with this?
Also...something to think about... with an electric fan(s) the AC cooler will no longer get air if the car is not moving and AC is on with engine temp below switch "on" level. Not good... Consider setting up a second ground via the clutch power lead (potentially to another relay if needed).
Am exploring this now.
