Flex Fan

[crebo]

Heidi,

Been asking you for awhile about the flex fan. I'm finally going to buy one. I have a new shround and my fan just won't fit.
What size do you have and did you have to use any spacer or anything. Mine has to be pretty small....... just trying to get and idea about what size I'll have to use. It will also influence the particular brand that I use.
Which brand do you recommend...
Thanks much
crebo

Any other suggestions from anyone will be taken....No electric fan...money alittle shallow at this point.

x

 

[78SilvAnniv]

I just popped the hood...

I measured the fan, which is 18" from blade tip-to-tip. My fan shroud is 20" in diameter.
I also took a digital photo of the spacer. email me and I can email you the pic.

I noticed in your sig that you have a BB and I don't know if that will make any difference with the fan size or spacer that you need. I purchased mine from a speed shop, it is metal and I don't know what brand it is, but the speed shop sells quality items.
*You will need to specify that it is for a Corvette, because the Corvette requires a different spacer than what is used for other cars. Other cars get a single piece spacer while the vette spacer is in two pieces. (at least it was for my SB)
Heidi

Good luck and I hope this fixes your run-hot problems.
heidiken2@earthlink.net

 

[crebo]

I can see why my fan shroud was ripped up so bad. I guess with the big block it sits alittle different. When I put the new shroud on the fan had be be cut and bent just to crank the thing...now it's all over the place in there. If I need a spacer not sure if it'll fit. It's pretty close now.
Do you know if I can run my HD fan clutch with the fan? I'll email you tonite...on someone else's computer an time is not on my side.
Crebo

 

[Vette/Berlina-coupe]

-Listen to the Lady, --for she knows whereof she speaks...

-yes you need to be sure there is preferably at least 3/4"-clearance around your fan proximal the necessarily fully encircling shroud; --as the engine generally torque-rocks on its mounts opposite to its clockwise direction of rotation (as viewed from aft engine)! DO NOT use original or any other viscous Fan-CLUTCH unit, as it will defeat the superior-engineered advantage of the preferably stainless-steel Flex-blades (which move a lot more air) [Some brand names being: the $33 Hayden (Imperial model, -black with shiny thin flexile s/s-blades) which has a 5/8"-Pilot-hole that may not fit upon the shank of your maybe 3/4"-diam. Vette waterpump's-shank (so you may have to find a 2"-Adapter-hub that will facilitate the installation); another is the Flex-A-Lite -brand which is made in several different configurations ranging from one-piece Nylon-plastic(black) model-400 to the $35 stainless-steel 1300-models (blue center); Summit(800/230-3030) has them all plus their own models (17"-18", one with a chrome-center star-support) w/proper adapter]! J.C.Whitney(800/529-4486) also has'em., as well as PepBoys etc.. Excellent light-weight hi-quality fiberglass/one-piece Flex-fans are also available; -but some of these are to flimsy.... ~Bob vH
:s :dance
After-note: -Motorman(Clem) states below that Flex-fans have been known to come apart, so in as much as we don't know if that is true of all stainless-steel Flex-fan designs (perhaps Ford replaced the recalled ones with an improved version where blade-flex was better distributed to relieve metal-fatigue), apparently one should regularly make visual check of the blades for any initial fracturing adjacent the holding-rivets (if so replace immediately). This would seem to suggest the lighter-weight Nylon-plastic or HD-Fiberglass versions may also be more durable, owing that they have no rivets in their one-piece molded-construction. Moreover, since standard non-flex rigid steel fanblades are also known to fracture, --never place yourself inline with any engine-fan when reving-up the engine!!!

 

[78SilvAnniv]

2-piece spacer

I think that the spacer for vettes is in two pieces because the radiator and shroud are so much further away from the engine than a regular, upright radiator car.

I know BBs are big, does it really use up that much more room? I think that if you speak to your auto parts supplier, perhaps measure your shroud diameter and take two measurements:
1 Take a measurement of center BB to radiator.
2 Take a measurement of center BB to center of fan shroud (where the fan blades would be)

If your shroud was all chopped up, I would check your driver's side motor mount...my original fan shroud had a chunk missing from the top because of a broken motor mount.
However in your case, with the shroud being totally torn up and needing to cut blades...I think perhaps your fan blades were just too big.

*I wouldn't cut fan blades as it would distribute their spinning weight unevenly. Buy a size that fits.
Good luck!
Heidi

 

[crebo]

Heidi,
I'm with you. I plan to go to kragen or Autozone tommorrow to get a new one.
I was alittle concerned about the fan clutch.
Yes my blades were really just to long the person before me modifed them..
I'll measure it tonite to see the exact size. Do you have any recommendations for which fan not to get?
Anyone.

Thanks so much everyone

 

[78SilvAnniv]

I sent you 3 pics

...and in one of my pics I saw a label.
I went out to the garage while the computer was sending the pics and the label happened to be 'up' this time. It does not have a manufacturer's name on it, it appears to be mostly a warning label but it does have "Part #1318" on it.

I purchased mine from a locally owned speed shop, but I think Kragen or Autozone would be able to help you. If they do not appear to know what you are asking...please ask them for directions to the nearest speed shop. Prices should be comparable, but I think you may get better (informed) service from the speed shop.

I may just pop on by the speed shop tomorrow and ask about a flex fan for a BB in a 1971 vette. I'll let you know what Danny said.
Heidi

 

[76L82]

I have used the Flex Lite 1200 - because I have a small block I had to use the 2 inch spacer...they are actually 2 one inch spacers. I used the 18" with what I believe is the original shroud.
Look in the Summit catalog and you can get the whole set up.

I have the same set up on my 70 Camaro SS sb 350.. I will tell you that that flex fan scares the **** out of me when the engine is going and the hood is up! I was real used to that old clutch controlled fan.

 

[crebo]

76L82

I just ordered my fan last night. I ordered it with a one inch. Should be about the same distance as my old one was..Can't wait to strap it on. I hope it's loud and scary.
Thanks I'll post the results and pic's when complete.
Crebo

 

[76L82]

Crebo - With that big block, she'll be wailing away like a turbo prop! I bet that big block sounds sweet!

 

[crebo]

76L82

Actually it's killing me. I've been waiting for a few days. It should be in Monday-Tues. I just cleaned it up. Replaced my fuel line. Now it doesn't leak ..... that feels good with today's gas prices. I will post soon. I ran it today...temp was alittle better...I also need to buy a new radiator cap. This one leaks no matter what. I'll pick one up tommorrow or Monday....See if I can talk my wife into letting me play golf...Have to get ready for a tournament in mid Apr.

Crebo

 

[crebo]

Heidi,

Just got my fan in today. 16 in. Looks pretty nice. I have to order another spacer to add to my 1 inch. I think I'll get a 1/2 in spacer. It looks like another 1 in would be to long....

Not sure. Right now with a one inch the fan will not rotate without hitting my power steering pulley. Not sure how much flex in the fan.
Trying to get an idea from your pic's you sent. The distance from your powersteering pulley when still....

Your fan really feels the shroud.
Anyway I'm in the military and in charge of funeral details this month. Have a flag presentation for tommorrow. That will give me a chance to get an inch and a 1/2 in hopefully one will fit.

Did they send you longer bolts or did you have to get your own?

Chris
Ha

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Sorry for the funeral duty.

I hope the families are able to find some comfort.

Anyhow, I think the bolts came with mine...but I don't remember for sure.
It appears that when still, my fan blade clearance is only about 1/2 inch from the front portion of my ps system. I took more photos and will find your email addy and send them.
Heidi

 

[crebo]

Thanks Heidi,
Sorry to seem so course towards the funeral. We've done 15 in the last 14 days. All over southern cali and vegas. I really don't enjoy them.
Anyway are you saying that you have more clearance when your fan is spinning? Oh yeah thanks for taking the time with the pics. I called autozone. They have a 1-1/2 spacer. cant find anyone outside of a catalog with an inch.. I want to get an inch and 1/2 inch...
I live 35 miles away from the nearest autoparts store.

Thanks again and I will post...Hopefully some pic's....
Thanks so much again

 

[motorman]

BE CAREFUL as i had a stainless steel flex fan come apart and took out the rad and made very big dinges in the hood of my pickup truck. the SS work hardeneds and then they come apart. ford use them on some engine from the factory and they had a big recall.

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Clearance

There is more clearance when the fan is spinning because as the revolutions become faster the blades flatten out.

When mine is still, I have only a 1/2 inch of clearance, but as the blades spin and flatten the clearance could increase to an inch, maybe more or less, I don't know what the flex is on these fans.

Motorman, the horror stories are everywhere, but I think they are few and far between nowadays, unless you are racing your vehicle regularly. However, I check my fan about every other month for any movement with the blades and on the spacers.
Heidi

 

[motorman]

on mine the flexable stainless steel fan blades seperated from the rest of the fan. the working back and forth as they bend and then straighten out causes the stainless steel to work harden which leads to failure. i was sure glad i was not checking the timing on my 482 cu in BBC i had in that pickup truck when the fan let go.

 

[HammerDown]

Flex Fans Coming Apart

Wow...I never even thought about that...I've had my Flex Fan on for longer than I can recall...I'll be giving it a good look at tomorrow.

 

[crebo]

Well,
Just got back from the local parts store. I picked up a 1 3/4 and 2 in. spacers. I figure I'll us the closest to the radiator. Going to work on it now.
Will keep you posted.
Chris

 

[76L82]

Crebo - You got the right idea..my experience is that the more snug you can get the fan inside the shroud, usually the cooler you can get the engine. I have always been surprised how little an adjustment toward the radiator knocks down the temp.