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Re: Flex or fixed fan?? [Re: Bill MeLater] #463239
09/10/09 10:00 AM
09/10/09 10:00 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,174
Grand Prairie,Texas
stumpy Offline
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Grand Prairie,Texas
Alot of guys do that when race tuning. 4500 rpm is high revs when free reving. You don't have to be standing over it you can be off to the side and still get nailed.

Re: Flex or fixed fan?? [Re: stumpy] #463240
09/10/09 12:11 PM
09/10/09 12:11 PM
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Posts: 5,048
Atlanta Indiana
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Dave Watt Offline
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Atlanta Indiana
My aluminum flex fan let go at 5,500 rpms. It cost me a radiator and shroud, luckily nothing else.
(I don't know the brand, it was a long time ago)

Re: Flex or fixed fan?? [Re: MoparMarq] #463241
09/10/09 09:09 PM
09/10/09 09:09 PM
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Posts: 6,840
The Swamp
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Sixpak Offline
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The Swamp
Quote:

Had a flex fan on my RR for 30 years with no problems, but I think the blades were steel with thicker steel plates sandwiching them to the hub with the rivets. Aluminum work hardens fast, so all that flexing can make the blades brittle.

On the other hand, I don't think I've ever seen a factory car with a flex fan, so maybe that says something also.




I've seen plenty of Aspens and Volares with factory flex fans...mostly 6 bangers with a/c....

Re: Flex or fixed fan?? [Re: Sixpak] #463242
09/10/09 10:04 PM
09/10/09 10:04 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 869
Avondale AZ
Prodart440 Offline
super stock
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Avondale AZ
Not a mopar, but I have an all original 69 Firebird 400. It came factory with a flex fan. Even has it on the build sheet.


Aaron

68 Roadrunner 383/AT
69 Dart GT Conv. 383/AT
05 Dodge Ram 4x4 Cummins
06 GoManGo R/T Daytona #757
68 Coronet 440
Re: Flex or fixed fan?? [Re: Prodart440] #463243
09/10/09 10:10 PM
09/10/09 10:10 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 657
Sophia, NC
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67valiant340 Offline
super street
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Sophia, NC
If I were driving the car on the street, I would use the Mopar Performance clutch fan. Your cooling will be right on and your fuel mileage will be also. If I were going to bracket race the car and needed it to run consistant numbers, I would use a flex fan if I did not have an electric one.

5475401-DSCF8254.JPG (86 downloads)
Re: Flex or fixed fan?? [Re: Gator73] #463244
09/10/09 10:12 PM
09/10/09 10:12 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,515
Here
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jcc Offline
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Quote:

I have always heard that flex fans are not a good option but can anyone explain their short comings and why they don't work? The various manufacturers claim they move a lot of air and they are still produced so someone must be buying them. Just wondering why they get such a bad rap.




So still no reasons given. I like the idea of flex fans, but have heard many discount them performace/safety wise, but never give an exact reason. Only possible reason is they might flutter at certain speads, maybe causing cavitation type issues, thats only a wild guess. I still use them, but I use the plastic type, no sharp edges to cut you when wrenching, and likely will not penetrate a hood, but I still would not want to get hit by a blade, but as others have said, any fan can break, and they are cheap enough to replace if you feel they are due.


"When one’s appeal is emotional, it does not matter if there is no substance."
Re: Flex or fixed fan?? [Re: jcc] #463245
09/11/09 04:33 PM
09/11/09 04:33 PM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,295
dark side of the moon
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Dougsmopars Offline
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dark side of the moon
There is a fiberglass o0r plastic one peice flex fan on mine. Unknown brand as it was on car when i bought it. Warm 440 22 inch stock rad with no shroud. Hottest days this summer car never went over 195. Might switch to a more stock looking fan but wonder if it will cool as well as the one on it now?

Re: Flex or fixed fan?? [Re: 67valiant340] #463246
09/11/09 05:43 PM
09/11/09 05:43 PM
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,220
West Plains, MO
DrCharles Offline
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West Plains, MO
Quote:

If I were driving the car on the street, I would use the Mopar Performance clutch fan.




I would have, but my 383 in a '70 Valiant with a relatively thick 3-core radiator (in the stock position) did not have room. I had to return it to the speed shop and get a flex fan with a short spacer.

Re: Flex or fixed fan?? [Re: Bill MeLater] #463247
09/11/09 06:46 PM
09/11/09 06:46 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,129
Niles , Ohio
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therocks Offline
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
therocks  Offline
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Niles , Ohio
Mine is Summits heavu duty stainless.I believe its 17 or 18 inch.It cools my 12.5 440 and on the street or strip it still runs 180 or so and the rad is untouched 65.Its running 12.5 domes also so its not a mild motor.I dont trust the glass fans just my opinion.The one I had on my jeep was 10 years old and all street driver and plow truck.Rocky


Chrysler Firepower
Re: Flex or fixed fan?? [Re: Dougsmopars] #463248
09/11/09 07:38 PM
09/11/09 07:38 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 807
Toronto, Canada
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dirtybee Offline
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Toronto, Canada
sorry i don't know what brand but i believe the blades are stainless on mine. it's what originally came on my car and after the factory clutch fan setup that i bought destroyed my rad due to a bad tranny mount, i was glad i still had it around. cools my 440 fine, even without a shroud.

Re: Flex or fixed fan?? [Re: dirtybee] #463249
09/11/09 09:27 PM
09/11/09 09:27 PM
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Posts: 671
Wisconsin USA
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Bill MeLater Offline
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Wisconsin USA
If they were truly "That" dangerous our government would have stepped in by now, Holy crap, even cigarettes are fire safety compliant. I'll be running my flex fan and wearing my government mandated seatbelt untill told otherwise...And not "Race tuning my motor" in nuetral, while standing over my flexfan. Don't we have enough real stuff to worry about.

Re: Flex or fixed fan?? [Re: dirtybee] #463250
09/11/09 10:16 PM
09/11/09 10:16 PM
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Posts: 8,064
Arlington, Texas
earlybee Offline
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Arlington, Texas
I used all kinds, in Texas. This one does the job on a sbc dirt tracker with a muddy rad, and my 440 3 core stock rad 65 Satellite. It,s cheap $ and weighs nothing and won,t cut you. A red shop rag will stick to my grille at 700rpms with a A/C condenser, B/M trans cooler and no shrould. I have 2" clearance and use big flat washers on the bolts http://www.summitracing.com/search/brand...s/?autoview=SKU

Re: Flex or fixed fan?? [Re: earlybee] #463251
09/12/09 09:48 PM
09/12/09 09:48 PM
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Gator73 Offline OP
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Of those who have used a flex fan, can you use the factory fan spacer or do you have to buy those special looking spacers sold by the flex fan manufacturer?

Re: Flex or fixed fan?? [Re: Gator73] #463252
09/12/09 10:34 PM
09/12/09 10:34 PM
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Posts: 565
IA
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landon1 Offline
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i bought a spacer, as at the time i didn't know you could separate the blades from the hub. i'm sure you could - i don't remember if the stock one has the little nub to center the fan on the spacer, though.


'71 Satellite Sebring 440
Re: Flex or fixed fan?? [Re: Gator73] #463253
09/13/09 02:10 AM
09/13/09 02:10 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 70,126
Here
DirectSubjection Offline
Tacohead. The First and Only
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Quote:

Of those who have used a flex fan, can you use the factory fan spacer or do you have to buy those special looking spacers sold by the flex fan manufacturer?




I have the best flex fan I could find as my setup for the 383 in my Duster with a Summit radiator offered minimal clearance. A clutch fan wouldn't fit. I bought a few different spacers and settled one only maybe a half or 3/4" (I don't remember) as its all I could fit - any spacer would have worked though, got mine from Pep Boys.

I've not had one cooling issue.


Ride eternal, shiny and chrome
Re: Flex or fixed fan?? [Re: DirectSubjection] #463254
09/13/09 06:26 AM
09/13/09 06:26 AM
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Posts: 2,482
Answering the call of the wild
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ThermoQuad Offline
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Answering the call of the wild
Several times now the car mags as well as chrysler have performed tests of clutch fan [viscous fan package]vs flex fans.

The viscous fan package wins every time, but go ahead put the dangerous flex fan on there because it worked for billyjoejimbob's brother-in-law 3x removed.

As for "short" clutch assy's there is one that works well and is readily available. Hayden 2765 fan clutch.

Re: Flex or fixed fan?? [Re: ThermoQuad] #463255
09/13/09 08:39 AM
09/13/09 08:39 AM
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Posts: 3,626
Millinocket, Maine
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JonC Offline
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Millinocket, Maine
Quote:

Several times now the car mags as well as chrysler have performed tests of clutch fan [viscous fan package]vs flex fans.

The viscous fan package wins every time, but go ahead put the dangerous flex fan on there because it worked for billyjoejimbob's brother-in-law 3x removed.

As for "short" clutch assy's there is one that works well and is readily available. Hayden 2765 fan clutch.



Re: Flex or fixed fan?? [Re: JonC] #463256
09/13/09 10:44 AM
09/13/09 10:44 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,129
Niles , Ohio
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therocks Offline
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
therocks  Offline
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
T

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,129
Niles , Ohio
Yeah and the mags also tell you that this or that gives you 20% more HP also.So lets see if I add this intake 20% gain those header 20% gainetc.Must be a waste of time to build an engine.Just add the stuff they tell you.We arent talking someones 3rd cousin twice removed.Most people that answered use them and they work.If you have to worry about a few ponies build a bigger motor.Ive seen more guys with $1000 rad clutch fans or electrics with overheating problems than not.My 65 is pretty much a full race car thats street driven.The OE rad that has never beem touched with flex fan runs at 180 all day even racing.Rocky


Chrysler Firepower
Re: Flex or fixed fan?? [Re: therocks] #463257
09/13/09 11:22 AM
09/13/09 11:22 AM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,856
Arlington, Texas
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bobby66 Offline
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Arlington, Texas
The 2765 Hayden gave me plenty of clearance. It only lasted about a year though. I run a fixed steel fan for now. Cools great, nothing to wear out.

Re: Flex or fixed fan?? [Re: bobby66] #463258
09/13/09 01:30 PM
09/13/09 01:30 PM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,295
dark side of the moon
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Dougsmopars Offline
top fuel
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dark side of the moon
What factory fan moved the most air? I have a fiberglass flex it works great no issues with over heating. But i would like to go with something stock for visual reasons. Looking for the best factory fan with or without clutch. 22" rad and i'm planning on putting the orignal shroud back in.

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