another 360/408 over heating

Well off for a test ride tonight.
A great night for a drive, temp around 75*. Off I go, first stop was to put some fuel in since I dont have the gauge hooked up yet. Its only about 1/4 mile to fuel stop. Leave there and head into town. Drive a quick loop around and out on the road I go. Temps at 185* by now. I head down the road at 45 - 50 MPH and temps stays at 185* go about 6 miles and turn back. All still good. come to a stop sign, look both ways and pull out heading to my dads. As soon as I turned right I get this loud sound and I shut it off and drift to the side of the road. By now I can smell coolant. Open the hood and coolant is everywhere. I look down at radiator and i can see where the fan hit the core. I look at the flex fan and one of the blades is bent and hitting the radiator. Its not repairable at this point so I grab a pair of pliars and bent it back. I was able to drive it to dads which was only about mile away.
I pulled it into the garage at dads and closed the door. Not sure when Ill go back and look at it again!
SO now im going to need a radiator, and a steel fan. Just another reason why you shouldnt run a flex fan. IM so pissed right now. I was just pulling out from a stop sign. I didnt hear anything hit the fan. I didnt hit anything that I saw. I have no Idea what caused that blade to bend. I wasnt pushing the car hard as a matter of fact I was driving like an old man!

And up until that time everything was going great! Car was cool and I was happy.
SO I had a champion radiator 3 core. So many have said I would get better cooling with a 2 core with larger tubes. I was going to stay with what I had since it seemed to be working but now that I have no choice what is going to give me the best cooling without breaking the bank!
Also my car originally had a 4 blade fan that I still have. Should I use that one or go to a 6 or 7 blade fan.
Again Im looking for some thoughts.
Thanks Rod


Damn. What fan did that? That sucks. The only good news is it sounds like you are getting close to fixing things, if not for this disaster.