Thread: Flex Fan Advantages ? ? ?

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I've just recently blown up my original 305 in my 78 Monte Carlo. After 2 weeks in the shop I've finally got it back, and i want to treat the new 350 i put in in like a QUEEN . . . i really want it to run and look good. I put an Edelbrock Performer Aluminum Intake, 700 CFM Carb, Hooker Headers, Flowmaster Exhaust (Thru System NO CATS), Edelbrock Air Cleaner w/ K&N Filter, Edelbrock Elite Series Valve Covers, MSD Ignition, Accel 8MM Silicone Radio Supression Wires, Bosch Platinum+4 Plugs, Filled It with Castrol Syntec & Lucas Oil Stabilizer, Only use 92 Octance, and use Marvel Mystery Oil every 3rd Tank. What I'm Getting is, all this stuff i put on there is to make it run better and look prettier, and now someone is telling me i need to put a "Flex Fan" on it, Does it make the engine run cooler ? OR WHAT ? I put on all that other stuff because one of my friends knows alot about cars but he's so broke he can't even pay attention, Is all this stuff really doing me good ? I don't mind, she runs like a raped ape ! What benefits does a "Flex Fan" offer?

A Flex fan will give it's maximum cooling at the lower RPM ranges,road speed dont matter,but they are noisy as hell,,,,it's way better to put a Clutch Fan in there instead.

Originally posted by Thunderbucket
A Flex fan will give it's maximum cooling at the lower RPM ranges,road speed dont matter,but they are noisy as hell,,,,it's way better to put a Clutch Fan in there instead.

I have three, one in my '73 F100, one in my '66 Mustang, and one in my '75 Duster. Never have had a cooling problem and they are quite a bit quieter than a wobbly clutch fan

Guess everyone has different views on these, because I've had a couple motors with flex fans on them and they seemed to run hotter with the flex fans.

I tend to lean away from flex fans myself. Too easily cracked, especially in colder climates. If you want to increase your cooling, look towards the radiator. Many cars come with a pathetic single-core radiator. I personally reccomend a large dual-core or a triple. their very effective and barely noticeable.

I have a Flex-O-Lite fan on my 65' Chevy Truck (every-day-driver), and no problems so far. If you get one too small though... you will have trouble keeping it cool... I dont notice mine running untill I kill the engine or roll the hood over, so its not too bad. If it's a daily driver and you hit traffic, or spend much time cruising at near idle low RPM's/ speeds, you may benefit from having one. If not, I'd leave the clutch fan in. Save the dough... Also... If the clutch fan is keeping it cool enough, I'd leave it as is.

Gary

Originally posted by BlownGoat
Guess everyone has different views on these, because I've had a couple motors with flex fans on them and they seemed to run hotter with the flex fans.

I guess if I lived where there were traffic jams I might have a different opinion, but I can't get the old F100 hot enough to keep me warm in the winter and i just don't like the parasitic drag of a clutch fan.

Hey Ecowboy; We were just going over this subject..

Check the thread:

http://www.clubhotrod.com/forums/sho...threadid=12732

My truck has it's original flex fan in it, I think. Says GM on it and I don't know many people to replace their GM parts with GM parts. If it is original, the fan is 29 years old and has no cracks in it. It's quiet. I do run a little warm when the temp is around 100 somthing and I'm going over a steep grade with my partially rotted radiator. Maybe 220 or so. But, in traffic the thing cools like a dream. I've sat in 1 stop in 100+ degree weather for 15-20 minutes idling and my temperature went up to 195 or 200. I think it runs warmer while im moving because the fan blades flatten out and obstruct the radiator opening. I know there are some clutch fans that are extremely noisy, the one in my sister's 83 mustang is, the mid 90's explorers have very noisy clutch fans. Clutches wear out, too, and they're very expensive to replace. I recommend you get one of the unequal spaced blade flex fans, they're the quietest. The only time I would not recommend a flex fan is if you plan on doing deep water crossing. Without the clutch, as soon as those blades hit the water you're going to toss your belts.

Make sure you've got a fan shroud. I know too many people without them that wonder why their car over heats.

Originally posted by NTFDAY
I have three, one in my '73 F100, one in my '66 Mustang, and one in my '75 Duster. Never have had a cooling problem and they are quite a bit quieter than a wobbly clutch fan

That has been my experience, noisy, and seem to redure air movemnet when at high rpm and the blades are flattened out. Whent back to the clutch fan. Been extra successful with dual electric spal fans on my street rod with a griffin rad. Ed ke6bnl

I have a '72 Caprice and it came stock with a clutch fan and shroud, I had a 16 inch flex fan, so I tried it instead, and it did NOT move as much air. I put the clutch fan back on, also if you notice clutch fans cost twice as much. The only bad thing about a clutch fan is thier more heavy, but in less your building a race car a little weight will not hurt. Forget the fan thier are many radiator coolant additives that can lower your temp by 20 degrees. What kind of carb. are you running?