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09-24-2002, 11:18 AM
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#1 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Bondurant, IA but in Worcester, MA for school
Posts: 767
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Flex Fan Question
Whats your guys opinion on flex fans vs. the original clutch style fan? I was thinking about putting one in my truck because I herd that it frees up some HP. Also what kind should I get? Theres like Aluminum and Steel. Thanks
HotRod
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1970 Chevy C-20 350 V-8 Turbo 350 w/ shift kit Dana 60 w/ 4.10 gears AND Powr-Loc POSI New Additions: Summit Headers 135amp alternator Proform HEI Edelbrock 1406 600cfm carb Sunpro Tach Powr-Loc POSI Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake MSD 6A Ignition Box AIM: HotRod929 Visit My Site: http://1970chevy.netfirms.com/ |
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09-24-2002, 11:34 AM
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#2 |
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14.1 @ 96MPH
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Mesa, AZ
Posts: 2,811
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Too many horror stories of detached fan blades flinging through the hood for my tastes; it just seems to me that asking a thin piece of cheap metal like that to bend like that as part of the design is a bad idea.
I'd just try and put money away so you can afford to do it right, aka drop in a pair of electric fans...
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Project1970 - LS1 Swap Complete! 
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09-24-2002, 12:02 PM
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#3 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: St. Johns, Arizona
Posts: 2,660
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Project1970 hit on a key point -- "Cheap". Buy a $30 flex fan, and chances are you'll see a piece of it fly through your hood. Buy a $80 flex fan, and chances are you won't.
I have an $80 flex fan. No problems. Has countless miles at high RPMs. I also had a $30 flex fan (came with the pickup), and luckily the piece didn't fly through the hood, it was caught by the frame. I plan on eventually going to electric, I think it will provide better cooling.
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my 2¢ - t.i.o.l.i. Bowen 1968 K20 fleet 1969 K10 swb fleet 1972 K10 Suburban 1972 C10 lwb step 1992 K1500 'burb 1995 K2500 'burb 1997 C1500 'burb 1999 K1500 2000 K1500 'burb Why do I own so many Suburbans? |
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09-25-2002, 04:53 AM
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#4 |
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Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Posts: 7,158
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I bought a good flex fan 25 years ago. It wasn't cheap then, I forgot what I paid. Anyway it's still good I just painted the hub semi-gloss black and chrome -polished the (SS)
blades -- it cleaned right up. I live in the desert and run it on a straight six with a 3-core radiator. Had them on SBCs and BBCs in other trucks and no problems, People knock'em but I think they work good. Electric fans scare me. What happens when you're in the outback and you have battery problems? Call the auto club on the cell phone? Good luck. Also doesn't the fan's current draw cause the delcotron to engage and add a load on your fanbelt anyway?
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Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not. Last edited by '68OrangeSunshine; 09-25-2002 at 05:00 AM. |
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09-25-2002, 05:29 AM
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#5 |
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Just Another Crazy Canuck
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Richmond,British Columbia Canada
Posts: 1,228
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only ahd 1 prob with flex fan and that cos some fool put it on backwards(not me) it left a nice dent in the hood but other than that I think they are alright but electric is the way I'm goin when the funds allow it
 
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1985  454/465/205, 38.5x11-16BOGGERS   soon to be installed: 14bDETROIT,Edelbrock Performer cam,intake and valve springs,Comp roller tips,MSD HEI |
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09-25-2002, 08:23 AM
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#6 |
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1969 Custom 30 wrecker
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Pottsville, Pa
Posts: 2,611
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My truck had one of the stainless steel flex fans on it when I bought it so I left it on. Never again!!!
I was cruising around 50mph when one blade broke off and shot through the hood!  That could have been my head.My truck has a plain old 4 blade steel fan now and it works just fine. Im putting my money elsewhere. (and keeping my skull intact) Bottom line: These things should be outlawed! My state doesn't allow blue dots but a fan that can kill you is ok. 
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Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10 |
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09-25-2002, 02:18 PM
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#7 |
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Cantankerous Geezer
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bel Aire, KS
Posts: 6,264
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An article in one of the hot rod mags (I can't recall which one) stated that the flex fan uses far more horsepower than the original fan with a clutch. And if you're really concerned about power, go electric.
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Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.
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09-25-2002, 02:25 PM
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#8 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Austin, TX, USA
Posts: 7,714
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Fred T is on the right path. A thermostatically controlled clutch fan uses little power if the clutch is not locked up. The difference in power will not be significant on a mild motor in a heavy truck, but the loss in cooling power could be massive. I don't recommend electric fans except in max performance efforts, and definitely not in a truck that you ever use for any "truck-like" activities.
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44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax |
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09-25-2002, 05:36 PM
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#9 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Hurst,TX,US
Posts: 301
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I have one on my camaro and have been running it for quite a few years now. I just had to rebend the blades on it cause they had lost all their flex and just stayed flat all the time. I have eletric fans on my truck and love them. So my camaro will be getting them soon.
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1968 swb IM-Bufechevy56 If its to loud then your to old |
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09-25-2002, 05:46 PM
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#10 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Springville, UT, USA
Posts: 1,010
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A flex fan is great.....but there are different kinds and many are bad......I have one.....it doesn't look that great but the performance is awsome....some flex fans a built mainly for looks and are terrible in term of quality and performance....these are easliy identfied by the long blades that come to a point....STAY AWAY!!!!!!
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09-25-2002, 06:49 PM
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#11 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Victoria, Texas
Posts: 71
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A thermal clutch fan works best for a daily driver, especially in stop and go traffic. It engages only when it's needed, and is quiet and very efficient. I tried the flex fan route, but the horsepower loss is quite parasitic, not to mention the howl of the blades on full afterburn. This is just my experience, but I hope it helps you with your dicision.
Tim |
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09-25-2002, 08:37 PM
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#12 |
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Fabricate till you "puke"
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Ill
Posts: 9,403
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I run a plastic flex fan on my 69,& dont have any troubles. At $15 , I can afford to toss it every couple seasons! I dont reccomend standing over the engine & buzzing the throttle......call me chicken,I havent had a fan blow,but have seen the hub,pulley,& fan depart from the waterpump........made a mess of the radiator too! Crazy Al
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09-26-2002, 03:31 AM
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#13 |
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English Chevy Owner
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Shropshire, UK/ Lot, France
Posts: 1,848
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If electric fans are so bad why are all modern cars fitted with them?
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Phil '67 C10 long fleet. 350/TH350, 4 bbl Carter, K&N, Dual exhaust, loads of stuff coming soon 2001 S10 Blazer Daily Driver, bone stock 4 door 4x4 with manual transmission |
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