Need input for my '02 T bird

[carntz]

Xavier - Can I PLEASE hire you. ! Come visit Coeur D' Alene, Idaho. We supply meals and board for qualified TBN mechanics and based on reading these posts, there is no doubt you have a PHD in Thunderbird!!

[Thunderbird 22]

Xavier - Can I PLEASE hire you. ! Come visit Coeur D' Alene, Idaho. We supply meals and board for qualified TBN mechanics and based on reading these posts, there is no doubt you have a PHD in Thunderbird!!

Hey Jon, lol... thanks for the offer, but i'm just a regular guy with some mechanical skills , besides Idaho is as cold as Quebec,Canada.... lol !

[Turquoise02]

There is thread here on TBN, The conversion is very complicated,due in fact that the charging system is underated for the addition of the electric fan. I also remember that you would have to manually control the fan when using the AC. My final thought was that was that it would cost more to convert than rebuild the whole system.

$1,400? That's what it cost me to replace both the hydraulic pump and the motor it drives.

[HKS]

Thank you all for the replies, as far as the parts for the conversion, i already did my homework. Using a flex a lite fan , pulls about 17 amps, which should be fine for the stock 110 amp alternator. The fan is rated for a 4,6 and 5,8 liter V8, roughly about 2800 cfm. The speed controller Is also by flex a lite, it iS a " PID" system, which means it starts the fan at 60% speed, 4seconds after motor starts, the sensor which is in the radiator , sends a signal to the unit, and fan slowly speeds up when getting warmer. There is also a wire to connect to the a/c compressor clutch, forcing the fan into hi speed when energized. This controller is also adjustable from 185 to 230 degrees in the radiator. Being a "PID" controller, there will be no amperage spikes to the alternator,,, which should help.

i will keep all original parts to switch back if i ever sell the car, if originality is an issue...

Xavier,
You have described the best fan replacement system I have yet heard of.
Please list the parts and where to order them from. This is good info to gave on file. Thanks very much.

Did you get the probe type of temperature sensor?


Hermann
Found controller but not replacement electric fan assembly.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/h...el/thunderbird
Is this the one. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/r...bird/year/2002
https://www.amazon.com/Flex-lite-420...47937434&psc=1

[Brad]

In case anyone needs one I have a used and a brand new NOS hydraulic pump and actuator listed in the classifieds

[Thunderbird 22]

Hello H, its been a couple of summers, with peaks in the 100’s degrees here, and no overheating issues. I had to go through 3 different fans models to get the right one. The challenge here was finding a fan assembly that fit the radiator, fits the narrow space and that does not pull too much current,, since the reason Ford installed a hydrolic fan to start with, was to ease up on the alternator. The 03-05 all have electric fans with almost a 40 amp draw on a 115 amp alternator.

So these are the parts i used for the complete retrofit, after removing the hydrolic pump,oil lines,motor and schroud,reservoir. I bought them through a canadian parts house called “ T dot “ ,, but Summit in USA probably carries them.

- fan is a Flex a lite model # 180 ,, 15 inch blade with shroud,, 3300 RPM but without the fan speed controler.
- Speed controler is a flex a lite model #31165 , comes with sensor, fuse and fuse holder,wiring,etc
- A 100 inch serpentine belt, you can get from any parts store ( since the hydrolic pump is deleted,, you’ll need a shorter belt.
- electrical and mechanical skills - i installed a positive lug on the main fuse box, near the front passenger side fuse box. Installed also the a/c signal wire from the speed controler to the a/c relay in the same fuse box. Used the support bolts from the old oil reservoir to fit a home made aluminium speed controler bracket to support the unit.

then start the car, use a OBD2 reader to read engine block temperature and adjust the controller. Once you turn A/C on,, the fan should go into hi speed.

Hope this helps you, Xavier.

[HKS]

Hello H, its been a couple of summers, with peaks in the 100’s degrees here, and no overheating issues. I had to go through 3 different fans models to get the right one. The challenge here was finding a fan assembly that fit the radiator, fits the narrow space and that does not pull too much current,, since the reason Ford installed a hydrolic fan to start with, was to ease up on the alternator. The 03-05 all have electric fans with almost a 40 amp draw on a 115 amp alternator.

So these are the parts i used for the complete retrofit, after removing the hydrolic pump,oil lines,motor and schroud,reservoir. I bought them through a canadian parts house called “ T dot “ ,, but Summit in USA probably carries them.

- fan is a Flex a lite model # 180 ,, 15 inch blade with shroud,, 3300 RPM but without the fan speed controler.
- Speed controler is a flex a lite model #31165 , comes with sensor, fuse and fuse holder,wiring,etc
- A 100 inch serpentine belt, you can get from any parts store ( since the hydrolic pump is deleted,, you’ll need a shorter belt.
- electrical and mechanical skills - i installed a positive lug on the main fuse box, near the front passenger side fuse box. Installed also the a/c signal wire from the speed controler to the a/c relay in the same fuse box. Used the support bolts from the old oil reservoir to fit a home made aluminium speed controler bracket to support the unit.

then start the car, use a OBD2 reader to read engine block temperature and adjust the controller. Once you turn A/C on,, the fan should go into hi speed.

Hope this helps you, Xavier.

Thanks Xavier.
Do you know if 2002 and 2003 birds had the same 115amp alternator? Do you think your fan draws less than 40 amps?

[edward301]

I do not know how these hydrolic parts are costing so much. I just helped a friend
replace his fan motor, hydrolic pump, and went ahead and replaced the actuator.

Pump was $96 reman, used actuator $185, and hydroilc motor with new fan blade
and shroud was $162.00

His bird runs great now, and that is in the Texas heat with temps at 104 degrees.

I kept his old actuator, going to polish plunger and think it will be good.

[Thunderbird 22]

Thanks Xavier.
Do you know if 2002 and 2003 birds had the same 115amp alternator? Do you think your fan draws less than 40 amps?

Hello H,
As far as i know, they all have the same alternator. I actually bought a ‘03 electric fan assembly, but noticed 2 problems. First, the ‘03 fan has a12 Volt hookup and also a computer signal hookup. Unless you can recreat that signal,, you cannot run that fan. Second, that fan motor pulls about 40 amps. I honestly think doing the swap i did is the best and more reliable option. The hydrolic system is a costant headache, and robs power from the engine.
but its my opinion.

[HKS]

Hello H,
As far as i know, they all have the same alternator. I actually bought a ‘03 electric fan assembly, but noticed 2 problems. First, the ‘03 fan has a12 Volt hookup and also a computer signal hookup. Unless you can recreat that signal,, you cannot run that fan. Second, that fan motor pulls about 40 amps. I honestly think doing the swap i did is the best and more reliable option. The hydrolic system is a costant headache, and robs power from the engine.
but its my opinion.

I think you are doing everything right. Good that you mentioned the computer signal needed for the 2003.
Your Probe mounted on the radiator takes care of the temperature control.

Fantastic engineering job. Thanks for sharing.
Hermann