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Flex fans

fonebone on Sun June 08, 2008 7:25 PM User is offline

Year: 1979
Make: Chevy
Model: Caprice
Engine Size: 350CID
Refrigerant Type: R-12
Ambient Temp: hot!
Pressure Low: n/a
Pressure High: n/a
Country of Origin: United States

I'd like to replace the fan clutch with a flex fan. I've followed the posts here for several years, and all here recommend replacement every 2 years. I've tried OEM GM clutches, Imperial brand, and Four Seizens over the years. Costly, yes, especially when you pay so much and get junk. All went quick, meaning (I've been around these for years) when starting ,all make a nice roar, then settle down to a purr. Depending on the length of time, all loose this feature and make you wonder if they will kick in when the temps go up. The Imperial roared at startup, and continued to roar at all speeds, temps, etc. It of course cooled the best because it was a real "wind tunnel" in front of the radiator. It would audibly roar at 60 mph down the highway! This certainly would of caused early fan belt and water pump failure, so I removed it after a couple of weeks. Sorry to be so windy, but wanted to explain this so as to leave no doubt as to frustration I've been thru. That stated, who makes a good, safe, flex fan? When cooler weather comes, no problem, I'll just yank the thing off and put the fan clutch back on. Thanks

TRB on Sun June 08, 2008 8:00 PM User is offlineView users profile

I would go with a rigid fan instead of a flex fan. We carry these in 17 & 18 models.

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When considering your next auto A/C purchase, please consider the site that supports you: ACkits.com
Contact: ACKits.com

HerkyJim on Sun June 08, 2008 8:11 PM User is offline

Sorry to hear that you're such an unlucky guy. The fan clutch on my '72 Plymouth is original and shows no signs of giving up, even after 233,000 miles and 36 years.

I read about flex fan failures years ago, so I wouldn't consider installing one in my car.

Never completely safe to be plane-of-rotation of a fan or propeller IMO.

bohica2xo on Sun June 08, 2008 8:14 PM User is offline

So you had a working Imperial, and removed it because it did work? Never lost a waterpump to a working fan, and the belt is designed to carry the fan load.

A rigid fan drive is fine, but it will "roar" all the time too...

B.

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"Among the many misdeeds of the British rule in India, history will look upon the act of depriving a whole nation of arms, as the blackest."
~ Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhi, An Autobiography, M. K. Gandhi, page 446.

TRB on Sun June 08, 2008 8:27 PM User is offlineView users profile

Quote
Originally posted by: bohica2xo
A rigid fan drive is fine, but it will "roar" all the time too...B.

Absolutely, but they do move air! I'm with you, why remove what was working.



-------------------------
When considering your next auto A/C purchase, please consider the site that supports you: ACkits.com
Contact: ACKits.com

fonebone on Sun June 08, 2008 9:05 PM User is offline

Thanks for all the quick replies! I always thought the clutch fan ]thermo temp controlled] only "roared" at the hottest temps, locking the fan as needed to cause full air draw till things got cooler. I'll follow your advice and throw the Imperial back on. So just to recap, if I do not hear the roar, it's not working? Even at higher temps when it "engages", it still does not equal the wind-tunnel roar of the Imperial! The OEM GM unit disappointed me by only coming on at real hot temps. I put it on beginning of last summer. During my garage days at GM dealers, I was the only one who wanted to work on AC. I did a lot of road tests on AC, but never had one that roared constantly. I did enough work on cars to know one thing-I was not going to do it for a career. The combined knowledge here is priceless, and I will follow your sage advice! P.S. to TRB-I did a search on fans on this site, but found nothing on 17-18 inch fans, just electric. How to find? Thanks

Edited: Sun June 08, 2008 at 9:10 PM by fonebone

TRB on Sun June 08, 2008 9:37 PM User is offlineView users profile

Another item not listed on the website we carry. Hit me with an email and I'll get you a item number and quote in the morning.

-------------------------

When considering your next auto A/C purchase, please consider the site that supports you: ACkits.com
Contact: ACKits.com

chris142 on Mon June 09, 2008 8:49 PM User is offline

I hate flex fans. After a while the blades will flatten out and not move air properly. They also kill your gas milage.

Every year we get a motorhome in our shop with a cooked engine from a flex fan. The owner will be pulling a boat or off-road toys up Cajon Pass in SoCal on a 100+ day. He gets to the steep part and has to downshift the 454 or 460. This raises the rpm's and the flex fan flattens out............Blocking air flow through the radiator.

If he's not watching the guages he will burn it up before he gets to the top.

2005Equinox on Tue June 10, 2008 1:45 AM User is offline

I havent had a real problem with the normal fans on my cars. I think the 1985 is on its second one. The Bonneville still has its origional..

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2008 Chevrolet Impala LS
1981 Pontiac Bonneville


2007 Sears Craftsman Lawn Tractor


1985 Chevrolet Caprice


1986 John Deere 165 lawn tractor

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