Flex fan ?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,416
Likes: 291
From: dayton oh
Flex fan ?
Got a flex fan "thrown in" when I bought my 81. Compared with a few on the shelf at the local Autozone, it's the hi RPM design. I'm thinking of putting it on now that my improved motor with headers kicks out a little more heat. Do I just bolt in on in place of the stock fan or do I have to remove the clutch also?? 2nd question: is there any way to check that it hasn't warped while off the car??
Just exploring all my options before diving into an $alum$ $radiator$. Already have the hi-flo H2O pumper
Just exploring all my options before diving into an $alum$ $radiator$. Already have the hi-flo H2O pumper
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Re: Flex fan ? (Fast81)
What problem are you trying to solve? Is the car running hot? There is a very good writeup on how all the elements of the cooling system work at
http://www.dewitts.com/download/Corvette%20cooling.pdf
http://www.dewitts.com/download/Corvette%20cooling.pdf
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Flex fan ? (Fast81)
Run both and see if you get a diff in cooling. Flex fans look nice but I have not seen any solid proof they offer any advantage, some tests show the opposite. :eek:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 2
From: Beaverton, OR
Re: Flex fan ? (Fevre)
Run both and see if you get a diff in cooling. Flex fans look nice but I have not seen any solid proof they offer any advantage, some tests show the opposite. :eek:
I was going to try out an electric setup at some point, but I'm worried I'd need a new alternator as well... Oh joy!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,416
Likes: 291
From: dayton oh
Re: Flex fan ? (sb69coupe)
It never ran hot until I bolted on alum heads, hi rise intake, underdrive pulleys and headers -- it also never had much performance (stock iron heads, ex manifolds) !! Very soon after road testing the improved engine, it started brushing the bottom of the warning zone on the temp guage in stop-n-go traffic. Since I'm running underdrive pulleys, replaced original H2O pump with hi-flo. Much cooler now, just wanted to get some intel about flex fans since I had one taking up garage space.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 462
Likes: 1
From: York PA
Re: Flex fan ? (Fast81)
I am using a Flex-a-lite #1317 Fan w/spacer #14538. It takes the place of the entire fan/clutch assembly. With my Griffin radiator, the temp climbs to 180, t-stat opens, and the needle stays pinned there at all times, cruise or idle, fast or slow. Much more cost effective than electrics, IMHO.
Here are the links to the parts. Be sure to get the corvette 3/4 pilot spacer.
http://www.flex-a-lite.com/auto/flex.htm
http://www.flex-a-lite.com/auto/spacer_kits.htm
If ya need pics of the install, let me know - I tried to take some, but the batteries died in my digital camera :rolleyes:
Here are the links to the parts. Be sure to get the corvette 3/4 pilot spacer.
http://www.flex-a-lite.com/auto/flex.htm
http://www.flex-a-lite.com/auto/spacer_kits.htm
If ya need pics of the install, let me know - I tried to take some, but the batteries died in my digital camera :rolleyes:
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Kailua Hawaii
Re: Flex fan ? (76Frankenstein)
I got a flex fan with spacer in my '80. Went with it because it was cheaper than replacing the stock clutch/fan setup. Moves lots of air, but a rather decent mechanic I know, apparently doesn't think too highly of them. He claimed that flex fans bring a slight decrease in hp/mpg. Never ran the car with a working flex, so never had the chance to compare numbers.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 2
From: Beaverton, OR
Re: Flex fan ? (Viken)
I got a flex fan with spacer in my '80. Went with it because it was cheaper than replacing the stock clutch/fan setup. Moves lots of air, but a rather decent mechanic I know, apparently doesn't think too highly of them. He claimed that flex fans bring a slight decrease in hp/mpg. Never ran the car with a working flex, so never had the chance to compare numbers.
Instructor
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Calgary Alberta
Re: Flex fan ? (Fast81)
I lost an engine partially to overheating two years ago. When I replaced the engine I used the stock clutch fan but also installed a single 16" electric in front of the rad and a hi flow 180 degree stat. I wanted to install a light weight flex because I think they look great but was told they were quite noisy and had a tendancy to fly apart at high rpm. Do you folks that run them find them noisy and have you ever heard of one disintegrating at high revs..? I'd still like to put one on.. :steering: :thumbs:
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 462
Likes: 1
From: York PA
Re: Flex fan ? (WhyFly)
I hear very little from my fan, but I have a loud Pete Jackson gear drive which may mask the fan :D
I have never known anyone who had a failure with a flex-a-lite, but then I only knew a few who ran them, maybe others can chime in on that regard.
One tip: Wear long sleeves and gloves when installing. I ignored the warning, and had to pull the fan again to clean the pool of blood off the fan shroud. :eek:
I have never known anyone who had a failure with a flex-a-lite, but then I only knew a few who ran them, maybe others can chime in on that regard.
One tip: Wear long sleeves and gloves when installing. I ignored the warning, and had to pull the fan again to clean the pool of blood off the fan shroud. :eek:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,575
Likes: 3
From: On an island surrounded by sharks Hawaii
Re: Flex fan ? (76Frankenstein)
I use flex fans. Also, watch out they are very, very sharp. Normally I don't even know I got cut until I notice the pool of blood. Becareful.
:yesnod: :iagree: :seeya
:yesnod: :iagree: :seeya
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 11
From: Schaumburg IL
Re: Flex fan ? (DMONSVETTE)
Yes, they are noiser than a stock fan and clutch, but not obnoxious. Watch it as the other post said they are sharp as hell. I used some emeruy cloth and took off the sharp edge on the blades as I was getting nicked every time I reached in the fan area.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Re: Flex fan ? (Fast81)
I got rid of the heavy stock clutch fan 20 years ago. I always used the stainless steel high rpm flex fans. If your into petal to the metal driving you want as little rotating mass as possible. I just recently went all electric fans
Like you I use underdriven crank pulley and larger alternator pulley because my powermaster 100 amp alternator is limited to 17,700 rpm.
Like you I use underdriven crank pulley and larger alternator pulley because my powermaster 100 amp alternator is limited to 17,700 rpm.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,416
Likes: 291
From: dayton oh
Re: Flex fan ? (76Frankenstein)
You guys already running the flex fans - did you keep the clutch or not?? Also, if I just bolt the flex in place of the stock propellor will I need the spacer??
Oh yeah, the noise shouldn't be a issue (if you can hear it over the Accu-drive gear set, my exhaust, my stereo,.............. etc)
[Modified by Fast81, 8:09 PM 8/27/2003]
Oh yeah, the noise shouldn't be a issue (if you can hear it over the Accu-drive gear set, my exhaust, my stereo,.............. etc)
[Modified by Fast81, 8:09 PM 8/27/2003]
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Flex fan ? (Fast81)
You guys already running the flex fans - did you keep the clutch or not?? Also, if I just bolt the flex in place of the stock propellor will I need the spacer??
Oh yeah, the noise shouldn't be a issue (if you can hear it over the Accu-drive gear set, my exhaust, my stereo,.............. etc)
[Modified by Fast81, 8:09 PM 8/27/2003]
Oh yeah, the noise shouldn't be a issue (if you can hear it over the Accu-drive gear set, my exhaust, my stereo,.............. etc)
[Modified by Fast81, 8:09 PM 8/27/2003]
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 462
Likes: 1
From: York PA
Re: Flex fan ? (Fast81)
You guys already running the flex fans - did you keep the clutch or not?? Also, if I just bolt the flex in place of the stock propellor will I need the spacer??
[Modified by Fast81, 8:09 PM 8/27/2003]
[Modified by Fast81, 8:09 PM 8/27/2003]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 0
Re: Flex fan ? (Fast81)
I recently installed the 17" unequally spaced 7 blade heavy duty version. I don't hear it at all when driving, even with the hood up and revving the motor, it's not that obvious. I like it. That, and adding the correct rubber seals around the shroud seems to have eliminated my overheating problems. Seems to just hang around 180. My overheating might have had something to do with the 15" fan that was in there, and installed backwards! :smash:
Oh, as already mentioned, they are sharp! It's got warnings about it, and they are correct. I filed the edges a bit to take the 'razor' out of the 'blades'. Worked great!
You can see a pic here... http://www.c3vettes.com/69_engine_pics.html
Oh, as already mentioned, they are sharp! It's got warnings about it, and they are correct. I filed the edges a bit to take the 'razor' out of the 'blades'. Worked great!
You can see a pic here... http://www.c3vettes.com/69_engine_pics.html