The stock fan has plenty of cooling power. Switching to an electric fan is a horsepower upgrade, not really for improved cooling IMO.
It gets rid of the physical drag on the engine during times when you don't need the fan running.
It should be pretty easy to remove the timing cover with all that stuff out of the way. To get the lower cover all the way off, you just need to pop the big crank nut loose (forget the socket size, but its big). An impact wrench is probably the best way, but I figured out how to wedge a breaker bar under the battery tray and flipped the starter... and pop, its loose. You also need to pull the pulley off with a three-jaw puller (a 2-jaw will bend it....). Probably ought to put a new front crank seal on there as well.

If you're taking care of cooling system well, better check your hoses to make sure they're strong and replace them if needed... also the thermostat and radiator cap... and bleed system properly...
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1974 2002, 4224479, #74 EP/FSP, daily driver, track toy
1983 Yamaha RX50: 7hp/70+ MPG, in town run-about
1992 Miata: #43 CSP, winter beater

row core stock-appearing (and fitting) radiator from Curt Ingraham--you won't have any more cooling problems from a marginally sized radiator.

I agree with Kevin that the stock, 5 blade mechanical fan is more than adequate--especially for a non-A/C car; an electric fan is just an unnecessary complication unless you're trying to wring that last hp out of your engine.

However, while you have the radiator and water pump out, inspect your old fan carefully to see if the blades are getting brittle. I've noticed that my blades are an inch or two shorter; pieces are coming out of the blade ends even though it's not hitting anything.

mike
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'69 Nevada sunroof--"Wolfgang"--bought new
'73 Sahara sunroof-- "Ludwig"--mine since '78
'87 eta E30 coupe--"Johannes"
+ Fiat Topolini (Benito & Luigi), Renault 4CVs (Anatole, Lucky Pierre, Brigette)...
and Kermit, the Bugeye Sprite

The 320 i radiator upgrade is cheap, easy, and worked great keeping my car cool.

Electric fans offer greater cooling ability over mechanical fans when you need it most.....at low speeds. A car going down the road at 60 mph doesn't need a fan.

Sitting in stop and go traffic, a mechanical fan can't pull as much air through the radiator as an electric does. This is partially because the electric fan can be mounted closer to the radiator with a much tighter clearance between the shroud and the blades. A mechanical fan has to have a larger gap, which means reduced efficiency to account for engine movement (read sloppy rubber motor mounts).

Although it's a more involved setup, electric cooling fans offer superior cooling, and a few extra HP, which is always a good thing.

Just my two cents worth...

Jason
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Grew up on American muscle. What happened?!?!

racinjason78 wrote:

Electric fans offer greater cooling ability over mechanical fans when you need it most.....at low speeds. A car going down the road at 60 mph doesn't need a fan. Sitting in stop and go traffic, a mechanical fan can't pull as much air through the radiator as an electric does. This is partially because the electric fan can be mounted closer to the radiator with a much tighter clearance between the shroud and the blades. A mechanical fan has to have a larger gap, which means reduced efficiency to account for engine movement (read sloppy rubber motor mounts). Although it's a more involved setup, electric cooling fans offer superior cooling, and a few extra HP, which is always a good thing. Just my two cents worth... Jason

While this is true (and its also said that pullers are more efficient than pushers) in my experience with daily use in a hot and humid climate a new stock radiator has kept my car cool just fine. I think with a 3 row you would be set. There is also a fan shroud for the stock fan that should increase the flow as it limits the gap between the radiator and the fan.

Pete

I guess I should've mentioned that I plan to go with the 320i radiator upgrade...If my ride was a little nicer, then I might go with a nice radiator, but in it's current condition, it's just not worth it.

Thanks everyone for the advice!