Flex Fans
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 337
Likes: 10
Flex Fans
Are flex fans (the type with thin stainless blades) worthwhile? I don't have a cooling problem, but was considering a new fan when I change the water pump. By the way, on the pumps.....are some equipped with sleeve bearings and some ball bearing?? If so, which is preferred.?
Thanks!!
Thanks!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 12
From: SoCal
I've used them on small block Corvettes ('72 and '73). IMO, they blow more air (way more air, in fact) than the stock clutch fan. I have an electric fan on my '72 now, but I still have a stainless flex fan on my '73 and haven't had a problem with it (its been on for over a year).
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 337
Likes: 10
Thanks for the reply. Yes, they should move more air at idle....but according to literature, they lose pitch at high RPM, reducing airflow accordingly. I think the stock clutch reacts not only to RPM but temperature. I am mainly worried about them coming apart and damage to hood etc.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,921
Likes: 0
From: GA "When I grow up, I'm gonna get a Trans Am and run from the cops". Direct quote from my 4yo son.
Originally Posted by Gordonm
I had one on a car years ago and it sounded like an airplane above 3500 rpm. Just my experience with one. They may be better now.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Lloydminster Saskatchewan Canada
I put on the flexlite version of flex fan in place of the stock thermofan. I love the sound of it mixed with my gear drive cam set up it sounds like a supercharger (not quite but hey it fits under the hood) Never blew one up and I had one on a Chevy II with 4.11 gears and 14 inch tires TH350 many many miles and lots of high RPM shifts. I think some of the guys that clain they blow up are the kinda guys that damaged them somehow and kept using them. The Flexlite I have is rated to 10,000 RPM I imagine the engineering team incorperated a safety factor in that figure as well!
They sound just awesome I went with a 17 inch on my 75 but I think if your motor mounts are good an 18 will fit stock shroud!
They sound just awesome I went with a 17 inch on my 75 but I think if your motor mounts are good an 18 will fit stock shroud!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 816
Likes: 1
From: Finland
Originally Posted by sjmaster
Are flex fans (the type with thin stainless blades) worthwhile? I don't have a cooling problem, but was considering a new fan when I change the water pump. By the way, on the pumps.....are some equipped with sleeve bearings and some ball bearing?? If so, which is preferred.?
Thanks!!
Thanks!!
