Cooling Fan on 454 Corvette
02-24-2018, 07:52 PM
#1
Heel & Toe
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Cooling Fan on 454 Corvette
Just got a C3 454. Previous owner put a aftermarket 3 row aluminum radiator and a flex fan on it. I found online that the original fan was a 7 blade clutch fan. Would it be best to go back to the clutch fan verses this flex fan that's on it now. Not worried about robbing horsepower, just want the car to run cool.
02-24-2018, 10:10 PM
#2
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Im a modder but the stock fan and shroud set up correctly will cool far better than a flex fan....even thougb some will argue it....
However,
If its not broken...if the flex is keeping it cool and the silly sound doesnt bug you leave it alone
However,
If its not broken...if the flex is keeping it cool and the silly sound doesnt bug you leave it alone
Last edited by The13Bats; 02-24-2018 at 10:12 PM.
02-24-2018, 11:16 PM
#4
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St. Jude Donor '05
the flex will keep it cooler, use a cooler T stat too. BTDT the results dont lie. Over 20 degree avg running temp.
02-25-2018, 12:53 AM
#5
Team Owner
A lower temp T-stat will make NO DIFFERENCE in the stabilized operating temps of your engine. It will merely allow your engine to take longer to reach that temperature. Also, flex fans are DANGEROUS. Many hoods have been shredded due to flex fan failures at elevated rpm's. The long-term repeated flexing can create stress cracking in blades near the hub; and once cracking initiates, it WILL fail.
Whether you install a stock fan or some other suitable fan, you will NEED to have a shroud on it to make it operate efficiently. Clearance between tips of blades and inside of shroud should not exceed 3/4", and the fan blades should sit about halfway into the outlet of the shroud (the rear side of the blades should be just exiting the shroud).
There is a science to how cooling systems work. Choose your parts "wisely"....
Whether you install a stock fan or some other suitable fan, you will NEED to have a shroud on it to make it operate efficiently. Clearance between tips of blades and inside of shroud should not exceed 3/4", and the fan blades should sit about halfway into the outlet of the shroud (the rear side of the blades should be just exiting the shroud).
There is a science to how cooling systems work. Choose your parts "wisely"....
Last edited by 7T1vette; 02-25-2018 at 12:56 AM.
02-25-2018, 12:56 AM
#6
Race Director
Back in the day, one of the first things we did was to pull the OEM fan and clutch and install a Hayden flex fan. Seemed to work well.
When I looked at the OEM fan on my 73 bb, at first I thought it had been damaged because the tips of the blades looked snapped off. Then I heard it was manufactured that way to increase air flow. So far it's worked ok, but I'll be switching over to dual electric fans soon.
When I looked at the OEM fan on my 73 bb, at first I thought it had been damaged because the tips of the blades looked snapped off. Then I heard it was manufactured that way to increase air flow. So far it's worked ok, but I'll be switching over to dual electric fans soon.
02-25-2018, 12:07 PM
#7
Instructor
Also, I agree with you that a shroud improves the fan's ability to cool the engine
02-25-2018, 04:59 PM
#9
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2015 C2 of Year Finalist
seeing how GM still uses clutch fans today and NEVER used flex fans should tell you something
02-25-2018, 05:58 PM
#10
Team Owner
Don't try to out engineer GM, stay OEM.
02-25-2018, 07:41 PM
#11
Team Owner
The T-stat will "regulate up to its stated temperature. If the T-stat remains somewhat (or completely) open at that point, the cooling system will continue to heat until it reaches a stabilized temperature (heat IN equals heat OUT).
The T-stat is ONLY in the cooling system so that the engine will warm up faster. As I stated before: The T-stat has nothing to do with stabilizing engine operating temps (except in the case where that stabilized temperature is LESS than the T-stat's rating).
The T-stat is ONLY in the cooling system so that the engine will warm up faster. As I stated before: The T-stat has nothing to do with stabilizing engine operating temps (except in the case where that stabilized temperature is LESS than the T-stat's rating).
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The13Bats (02-25-2018)
02-26-2018, 11:25 AM
#12
Instructor
The T-stat will "regulate up to its stated temperature. If the T-stat remains somewhat (or completely) open at that point, the cooling system will continue to heat until it reaches a stabilized temperature (heat IN equals heat OUT).
The T-stat is ONLY in the cooling system so that the engine will warm up faster. As I stated before: The T-stat has nothing to do with stabilizing engine operating temps (except in the case where that stabilized temperature is LESS than the T-stat's rating).
The T-stat is ONLY in the cooling system so that the engine will warm up faster. As I stated before: The T-stat has nothing to do with stabilizing engine operating temps (except in the case where that stabilized temperature is LESS than the T-stat's rating).
Changing the t-stat will definitely not cool an overheating engine