switch belt fan for electronic fan

[trailjeepman]

Just wandering if I was to take off the stock belt driven fan on my 258 4.2, and replace it with an electronic fan, will it take stres off the motor and give me more horsepower? What other cheap things can I do to add horsepower?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[Rich]

Yes, but the draw on your alternator will negate some of the gain....

Free up the restrictions in your exhaust, that's probably the easiest.. high flow cat, free-flow muffler, slightly larger pipe, headers, etc...

Just don't go getting one of those damned K&N (un)filters.

 

[upnover]

Nathan, An electric fan will not give you a lot of horses, but it will be a lot easier on your water pump. It will also cure a problem the 258 has. Which is with the amount of torque it has, it is prone to bust motor mounts and crash the fan into the radiator, chewing it up. YOu may even loose some due to more pull on your electric system. As Rich said the exaust system will help. Good tune up, MSD ignition, After market Intake, Better carb, pane or FI, RV cam, Rebuild for more power, Lower gears for sure will help you(running 2:72 right now) Loose weight in the Jeep, ect.
All of this will help, but I can't think of a thing that is cheap. Sorry

 

[trailjeepman]

I guess I should have mentioned that I have a Weber carb, an upgraded distributor(don't know much but it is definitly larger), and a flowmaster muffler. I am getting ready to get 3:73 gears in a few weeks. I am sure that will help alot. I would go with 4:10 but the others are free to me so I cant pass it up. I also have a 727 automatic tranny and I think that made a difference in my take off power. It seems to have lots of tourque though. Kicks the Jeep over pretty hard when I stomp it.

 

[upnover]

I also have a 727 automatic tranny and I think that made a difference in my take off power. It seems to have lots of tourque though. Kicks the Jeep over pretty hard when I stomp it.

Again, Glad to hear it's working for you!