Fan replacement
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Lima Ohio
Fan replacement
I want to get rid of the fan/clutch assembly, and get something in the Flex-A-Lite series from Jeg's. Anyone know what size fan I can run? 79 L-82 Not sure what diameter fan to get, is what I"m asking.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Car Craft did a story in the May 2000 issue on fans and horsepower. Without a fan their engine had 496 hp, with a thermal clutch fan it had 487 hp, with a flex fan it had 466 hp. Sure you want to lose 30 hp? I would convert to electric fans or keep the clutch fan. Late C4 dual electric fans look and work very nicely.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Lima Ohio
I'm looking at the nylon flex-a-lite fan. Extremely light weight. And if you use those numbers, then I'd lose 11 horsepower.....I'm not going to run it without a fan. God knows these motors get hot enough as it is. I just don't want to pay through the nose for electric.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Rancho Santa Fe CA
i have a flex a lite on my '78, 18" i believe but if i could do it over, id definitely spend the extra dough for electric or go actually with a racing plastic fan. the flex a lite looks good and all, and sounds pretty much like a blower which is a plus, but man is that thing sharp! ouch!
if you are still interested, i actually purchased a 17" fan but never used it, plus i cant return it now, got it through ecklers. im more than willing to sell it seeing how i dont have another vette to put it on haha. let me know and ill post a pic for u.
if you are still interested, i actually purchased a 17" fan but never used it, plus i cant return it now, got it through ecklers. im more than willing to sell it seeing how i dont have another vette to put it on haha. let me know and ill post a pic for u.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 26,554
Likes: 257
From: Florida
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
C2 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Just installed a Chrome 73 BB Fan on my 72 SB. Looks great and operating temp is still 180 degrees. My existing clutch fit with no problems.
My prior fan had seven blades and the BB Fan has five blades, but they are larger.
My prior fan had seven blades and the BB Fan has five blades, but they are larger.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 37
From: Stockton Ca
In the battle against heat I ran a flex fan for a little while. Then I started hearing horror stories about the flex fans breaking and doing serious damage. I went w/stk fan and a fan clutch eliminator" a machined spacer that allows the fan to fit w/shroud. Since then I have upgraded to dual spals and still have fan and spacer. I will sell both for $50 + shipping.
Rick
Rick
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 10,258
Likes: 1
From: Calif.
Originally Posted by cw823
I'm looking at the nylon flex-a-lite fan. Extremely light weight. And if you use those numbers, then I'd lose 11 horsepower.....I'm not going to run it without a fan. God knows these motors get hot enough as it is. I just don't want to pay through the nose for electric.
http://www.perma-cool.com/Catalog/Cat_page16.html
Look at 19115. That's all you need--keeps my 406 cool just fine. $80-$100 or so and that includes the kit with a thermostatic switch. And you don't need to get into the business of installing a wiring harness that looks like it could operate a 757, either. Three or four wires and all you need to get is a suitable switch.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Originally Posted by cw823
I'm looking at the nylon flex-a-lite fan. Extremely light weight. And if you use those numbers, then I'd lose 11 horsepower.....I'm not going to run it without a fan. God knows these motors get hot enough as it is. I just don't want to pay through the nose for electric.
CC Results Complete:
No fan 496hp
1-pc plastic flex 460hp
regular flex 466hp
hi-perf flex 476hp
6-blade rigid 449hp
4-blade rigid 473hp
non-thermal clutch 485hp
HD thermal clutch 476hp
thermal clutch 487hp
electric fan 494hp
Ref Car Craft, May 2000, pp50-51
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&amp;quot;Rodstoration &am p;quot; In Progres
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,397
Likes: 1
From: Frisco TX
Originally Posted by cw823
I want to get rid of the fan/clutch assembly, and get something in the Flex-A-Lite series from Jeg's. Anyone know what size fan I can run? 79 L-82 Not sure what diameter fan to get, is what I"m asking.
Just finished my Dual SPAL 11" installation (electric)... will never look back! I love it!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 0
From: Olive Branch MS
St. Jude Contributor
Running an 18" flexalite in my 79 L48. Clutch did not work on my stock fan (ran constantly) so this was the cheapest short term fix as I have other things that need attention more at this time. Had cooling problems before but haven't exeded 180 degrees since flex install. I'll swap the horsepower for a cool running engine right now. Looks nice too.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 0
From: Milford NH
Originally Posted by 80TexasC3
Just finished my Dual SPAL 11" installation (electric)... will never look back! I love it!!!