When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
got a flex fan for my 71BB and also ordered a new fan clutch. in trying to install this mornin there's no way for me to install the fan clutch as the fan won't fit over the clutch. my ?, do i need the fan clutch with this fan.
No you don't need the fan clutch but you will need a spacer. Make sure that you tell them that the spacer is for a Vette otherwise the center whole will be to small and you will have to ream it out in order to get it to fit.
They come in different lengths by several sizes and then take back the ones you don't use.
No you don't need the fan clutch but you will need a spacer. Make sure that you tell them that the spacer is for a Vette otherwise the center whole will be to small and you will have to ream it out in order to get it to fit.
They come in different lengths by several sizes and then take back the ones you don't use.
Kona
I'd space it out until the fan is 1/2 of the way into the shroud. This might mean a spacer of 2 to 3 inches.
The spacer is just a piece of aluminum with holes in it so that you can run the bolts through into the water pump pulley. You can kind of see it here on my small block. Sorry I don't have a better pick. They are application specific.
This might be a better pic of a spacer. I had use a pretty long one on mine. Also if you noticed I had to cut the shroud at the 12 O'clock postion and pull it back to get it in with the extended spacer.
Last edited by 73'454folendore; Mar 24, 2006 at 04:42 PM.
Reason: edit
This might be a better pic of a spacer. I had use a pretty long one on mine. Also if you noticed I had to cut the shroud at the 12 O'clock postion and pull it back to get it in with the extended spacer.
do you find the flex cools better than the original fan and fan clutch setup
Have 6 blade flex fan (SS) on my 72 SB W/Air. Runs nice and cool as comoared to clutch. However, more fan noise. Sounds like a small supercharger at higher rpm but works great. Also, for best results use a spacer that allows some of the fan to stick out from the fan schroud. (See the pix) above) This allows a little more efficiency of the fan blades at lower RPM.
do you find the flex cools better than the original fan and fan clutch setup
Definatley. This is a 454 though not a SB. I got rid of the a/c and put in a 190% thermostate. I had a lot of problems with the temp before that. I never go above 205 in Florida on a summer day sitting in traffic. When you put in that spacer you will need to get some longer bolts. I think my where 3/8" at 4". Make sure you don't get them too long or they will hit the engine when fully torqued. Mine sqeaked by about 1/4" before hitting the block. It's a bitch putting on that fan with the spacer and having the engine in place. 1 hour job though and some band-aids. Good luck. Matt
Last edited by 73'454folendore; Mar 26, 2006 at 02:17 PM.
Reason: additional comments