Plastic radiator fan
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Venice - Italy
Plastic radiator fan
Goodmorning everyone!
I have a 1969 BB L36 Corvette, considering that the fan is really very heavy , I'm thinking to replace it with a plastic or aluminum ine, in other words lighter. Obviously the problem is to find a compatible fan to mount on the original clutch.
Does anyone have experience on this? Do not tell me to put an electric fan because I think it's not good as a solution
Thank you!
I have a 1969 BB L36 Corvette, considering that the fan is really very heavy , I'm thinking to replace it with a plastic or aluminum ine, in other words lighter. Obviously the problem is to find a compatible fan to mount on the original clutch.
Does anyone have experience on this? Do not tell me to put an electric fan because I think it's not good as a solution
Thank you!
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,692
Likes: 2,572
here is a list of 5 fans but I would stick with the factory fan.
https://www.summitracing.com/search/...-block-mark-iv
https://www.summitracing.com/search/...-block-mark-iv
Last edited by MelWff; Feb 13, 2019 at 11:36 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
You dont need a clutch with those, Ive been using them on/off since the late 80s they are awesome. Less wear on the water pump bearing and will never break. They look like cheap crap but cool well without the noise of the metal ones. We used to use them on the cars we ran at Saugus Speedway, turning a lot of rpm season after season, I still have one.
Ive ben using strictly electric on mine in search of that last few hp and dont like it. Putting the plastic one on at some point and will use the electric as a secondary run off a sender.
If I wasnt so ignorant Id use a controller but too lazy to learn about it.
IMO a nice electric only setup would be an OEM truck or V8 luxury car (or MB), with a controller but wiring upgrades arent my thing. Keep it simple, use the flex a lite plastic and if need be stick an electric on as a secondary. Now you can sit in 100 deg traffic all day with the AC on and never gauge watch.
Ive ben using strictly electric on mine in search of that last few hp and dont like it. Putting the plastic one on at some point and will use the electric as a secondary run off a sender.
If I wasnt so ignorant Id use a controller but too lazy to learn about it.
IMO a nice electric only setup would be an OEM truck or V8 luxury car (or MB), with a controller but wiring upgrades arent my thing. Keep it simple, use the flex a lite plastic and if need be stick an electric on as a secondary. Now you can sit in 100 deg traffic all day with the AC on and never gauge watch.
Last edited by cv67; Feb 13, 2019 at 11:37 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,325
Likes: 8,129
From: Napa Valley California
I know you were asking about plastic fans, but did you consider Hayden aluminum flex fans.
I've installed them on many vehicles.
They are light weight, you can get rid of the heavy fan clutch they assist with cooling, are top quality and I have never heard anything negative about them.
I've also seen many used by forum members in photos.
I've installed them on many vehicles.
They are light weight, you can get rid of the heavy fan clutch they assist with cooling, are top quality and I have never heard anything negative about them.
I've also seen many used by forum members in photos.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Put these through a few hoods, stock clutch fans also.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/flx-1317/overview/
Plastic ones I dont see how that can happen? They weigh a few oz
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/flx-1317/overview/
Plastic ones I dont see how that can happen? They weigh a few oz
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Do you remember why the Space Shuttle failed? Piece of FOAM blew a hole in the leading edge of one wing as it was gaining speed after launch. It doesn't matter how "light" something is, if it's going really fast. Turn a flex-fan 6000 revs and have one blade crack and fail? Shrapnel for the hood, etc. Not for me!!!
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
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From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
Goodmorning everyone!
I have a 1969 BB L36 Corvette, considering that the fan is really very heavy , I'm thinking to replace it with a plastic or aluminum ine, in other words lighter. Obviously the problem is to find a compatible fan to mount on the original clutch.
Does anyone have experience on this? Do not tell me to put an electric fan because I think it's not good as a solution
Thank you!
I have a 1969 BB L36 Corvette, considering that the fan is really very heavy , I'm thinking to replace it with a plastic or aluminum ine, in other words lighter. Obviously the problem is to find a compatible fan to mount on the original clutch.
Does anyone have experience on this? Do not tell me to put an electric fan because I think it's not good as a solution
Thank you!
Regards from Down Under.
aussiejohn
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 252
I mounted an aluminum blade fan on the existing clutch. It was a Flex-a-lite 5717. While not super light but it was about 2.5 lbs lighter than the stock steel blade fan.
R
R
Last edited by Dynra Rockets; Feb 13, 2019 at 06:46 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
x2 on factory fans. Id bet they are way better quality than any aftermarket stuff we can buy. Think about it they have to last how many thousands of test cycles and continuous running?
The 16 in spal I have is Ok but think its way underpowered to most, noise I dont care about its gaige watching that bugs me. Temp up......then slowly back down. Then up...ugh. Steadier would be nice.
Esp with lash and lots of lift .
The 16 in spal I have is Ok but think its way underpowered to most, noise I dont care about its gaige watching that bugs me. Temp up......then slowly back down. Then up...ugh. Steadier would be nice.
Esp with lash and lots of lift .
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
x2 on factory fans. Id bet they are way better quality than any aftermarket stuff we can buy. Think about it they have to last how many thousands of test cycles and continuous running?
The 16 in spal I have is Ok but think its way underpowered to most, noise I dont care about its gaige watching that bugs me. Temp up......then slowly back down. Then up...ugh. Steadier would be nice.
Esp with lash and lots of lift .
The 16 in spal I have is Ok but think its way underpowered to most, noise I dont care about its gaige watching that bugs me. Temp up......then slowly back down. Then up...ugh. Steadier would be nice.
Esp with lash and lots of lift .
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,373
Likes: 6,371
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Before using one of those plastic fans, watch the Engine Masters dyno testing of the plastic fan....:
https://www.motortrendondemand.com/d...ut/0_olymz420/
Lars
Edit:
I'm being told that my link to the Engine Fan Test does not work... not sure what's going on, since it works every time I click on it... If the link does not work, Google "Engine Masters Cooling Fan Test" and open up the "Engine Masters: Season 2, Episode 20 Cooling Fan Shootout". It shows up as:
https://www.motortrendondemand.com/d...ut/0_olymz420/
https://www.motortrendondemand.com/d...ut/0_olymz420/
Lars
Edit:
I'm being told that my link to the Engine Fan Test does not work... not sure what's going on, since it works every time I click on it... If the link does not work, Google "Engine Masters Cooling Fan Test" and open up the "Engine Masters: Season 2, Episode 20 Cooling Fan Shootout". It shows up as:
https://www.motortrendondemand.com/d...ut/0_olymz420/
Last edited by lars; Feb 14, 2019 at 12:35 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Got a link to the painless piece Big 2 bird? I have a sender on my T56, if it stayed in a narrower range of temps or say automatically shut off over 35 mph Id be happy
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 1,185
From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
Before using one of those plastic fans, watch the Engine Masters dyno testing of the plastic fan....:
https://www.motortrendondemand.com/d...ut/0_olymz420/
Lars
Edit:
I'm being told that my link to the Engine Fan Test does not work... not sure what's going on, since it works every time I click on it... If the link does not work, Google "Engine Masters Cooling Fan Test" and open up the "Engine Masters: Season 2, Episode 20 Cooling Fan Shootout". It shows up as:
https://www.motortrendondemand.com/d...ut/0_olymz420/
https://www.motortrendondemand.com/d...ut/0_olymz420/
Lars
Edit:
I'm being told that my link to the Engine Fan Test does not work... not sure what's going on, since it works every time I click on it... If the link does not work, Google "Engine Masters Cooling Fan Test" and open up the "Engine Masters: Season 2, Episode 20 Cooling Fan Shootout". It shows up as:
https://www.motortrendondemand.com/d...ut/0_olymz420/
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
I was interested to see the video testing Lars suggested....but I couldn't stand to 'wade' thru all the commercials before I could get to the "bottom line". WOW! Is there any way to kill all that dead time?
Anyway, it was no surprise to see a high load loss for a fixed fan; nor was it unexpected to see a significant loss with the flex fan, but lower losses as the rpm flattened the blades out.
But what I wasn't able to find was how much loss there was with the stock thermo fan. That thing freewheels at a much lower rpm, if the temp doesn't engage it. I would suspect MUCH lower losses from it when fan not engaged. True? False? Was that even tested in this video?
Anyway, it was no surprise to see a high load loss for a fixed fan; nor was it unexpected to see a significant loss with the flex fan, but lower losses as the rpm flattened the blades out.
But what I wasn't able to find was how much loss there was with the stock thermo fan. That thing freewheels at a much lower rpm, if the temp doesn't engage it. I would suspect MUCH lower losses from it when fan not engaged. True? False? Was that even tested in this video?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,373
Likes: 6,371
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
But what I wasn't able to find was how much loss there was with the stock thermo fan. That thing freewheels at a much lower rpm, if the temp doesn't engage it. I would suspect MUCH lower losses from it when fan not engaged. True? False? Was that even tested in this video?
Lars
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
