Flex fan

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@70 Buster 340 and @C2ndLTpigeon, by just saying "Flex" do you mean that you use Flex fans and like them? It is not clear. The concept behind a flex fan makes sense, but I have heard of them coming apart and causing damage and injuries.
 
My Dad is using an 18 in flex fan on his 500 HP 440 in his Cuda, Champion radiator and fan shroud with no problems. Stick with the flex fan brand and not the knock offs.
 
I've used Flex-A-Lite on many cars and never had an issue up to 7 grand.
I've heard the stories but never had one or seen one blow apart. I'd stay away from the composite type?
In a street car they work great but more noise than a clutch.
 
There's good and not good, cheap flex fans. The cheap ones fly apart. The old DC speed books say use a clutch. Hayden came out with a very short clutch a while back. A search on here in the mech form and it should show up.
 
The aftermarket flex fans are a joke. Pontiac used 19.5" flex fans in the late 60s with their performance engines, both in 5 blade & 7 blade configuration. These pull a ton of air. They are very robustly made & reliable. Might be able to find a used one.
 
I really don't prefer any type flex fan. I prefer just a solid, fixed blade fan. If you just gotta have a flex fan, do like our friend down under, @Bewy said and make sure you get some sort of OEM flex fan. Even still, you need to take precautions around it.
 
RustyRatRod said:
I really don't prefer any type flex fan. I prefer just a solid, fixed blade fan. If you just gotta have a flex fan, do like our friend down under, @Bewy said and make sure you get some sort of OEM flex fan. Even still, you need to take precautions around it.
Click to expand...
Yeah, like a fat life insurance policy
 
I use OEM Chrysler flex fans without problems. They pull a lot of air at idle, where you need it most. I don't like the look of aftermarket flex fans. Also see post #8
 
fear mongering...the factories used them all the time and as stated you can get them rated for 10.000 rpm
get a good quality NEW one and you'll probably be fine.
 
I prefer the old stand by of factory fixed fan. Mounts to a spacer on the front of the water pump. Spacers come in diferent lengths. Factory fixed fans come in diferent pitches, diameters, number of blades and fin design.

Was looking at 68 parts book and they had 1.5 to 2.25 pitch listed. All for dart baracuda valient, 273 up to 383
 
Factory flex fan from a 70's small block on 67 Barracuda 273.

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I've ran a flex is several cars and no issues. Stay away from plastic and fiberglass ones and you'll be OK. Buy a good name band like Flex-a-Light, Hayden, etc. One of the Summit Racing fans I got was made in the USA by Hayden. If you worried do a yearly check for fatigue, if worried replace it.

On my GTS the issues for me was the thick core of the Cold Case Radiator and power steering meant no Clutch fan for me and I have to get a low profile flex or it would fit the PS pump pulley nut.
 
I use a factory piece too.Any that i have seen fail are fatigued and cracked or rusted pieces that should never have been installed.
 
Why don't you have room? How much room do you need for a clutch fan to fit? '69 and earlier water pump and radiator change gives you 3/4".
It seems people go out and buy the wrong stuff and then look for a free way out. It just seems like this topic is discussed so much, that no one ever listens to those of us and gone through this, and have a successful outcome. ?????????????
 
maybe he has a newer rad with 1 1/4" tubes and a 3" overall width.
A clutch fan would be the last thing i would use.
 
I agree the factory pieces are far superior to the aftermarket junk, but they still flex. Metal does fatigue after so many flexes.
 
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