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.

markdtn

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.

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.

z3man987

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.

OHSIXX

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.

Taijutsu

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

The Dude

Pay through the nose for electric fans?!

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.

markdtn

Carcraft story says 460 HP for a 1 piece plastic flex fan. That's 36hp lost over no fan. I wasn't suggesting you run witout a fan, just showing what any engine-driven fan costs as far as HP. I bought my C4 fan setup for $150 and have about $40 in new relays and wiring for it. There are other stock dual fan setups that people use that are cheaper; 3rd gen Camaro, 4th gen Camaro, probabaly Bonneville, etc. I think I remember Crown Vic being used as well. See archives.

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

80TexasC3

Just finished my Dual SPAL 11" installation (electric)... will never look back! I love it!!!

Rolm

I ran the flex a lite 210's on a 73 454 vette and they worked great. Also a great company to do business with.

brooksman9

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.

69stingray

I agree, I installed a Griffen radiator with a Spal fan (easy installation for the most part), wonderful system! Worth every penny. Cleans up the engine bay also.