I have been running a nylon fan, but have found with age, they will shatter. I am now considering going back to the 15" flexlite steel or aluminum fan. I also run my fan about 1" from the radiator. What are some of ya'lls thoughts on the fan and the distance from the core? Thanks
P.S. I put this in cooling, but have received no feedback.

Just replace the plastic fan. They are cheap. I will give you one good reason for installing plastic fans. When you stick your fingers in the blades while they are spinning you will experience a sharp pain but you might not lose your fingers. I made a bonehead move the other day by sitting a roll of paper towels on the fan shroud. The roll shook loose and started to fall and I grabbed the roll and at that very same time the fan grab a sheet of them and drug my left hand in. redface.gif I was in shock almost because I thought I lost all 4 fingers but they were still attached but felt like a sledge hammer had smashed them. smile.gif I lost some skin but that was it.

I always thought that happened to other people and it would not happen to me. graemlins/clonk.gif If that were a metal fan I would going through therapy now and reattachment services. graemlins/sad.gif

On the cooling part both types of fans will cool good. I think the radiator and the shroud mean more than what type of fan your using. A good 4 row radiator and a shroud usually cool any overheating problems unless there are timing issues or you have something really radical.

my flex-a-lite plastic fan disintergrated on my chevelle and luckily nothing was damaged and noone was hurt.they should put a warning label on them that they should be replaced every season! :eek:

Thats why the ?. My nylon fan disentegrated also at about 5200 rpm. I had a sudden loss in power, but then it picked back up. I got home and plastic was everywhere. It took out about 8" out of the top of my shroud. It got between the blower belt and pulley and I figure it stopped it momentarily, just long enough to stop the input shaft and cause all the teeth to disappear. This is why I am considering a metal fan. A nylon from summit cost around $16, a metal around $20 and an aluminum around $26.

I would also stay away from the aluminum blade fans for the same reason. They will last longer than the plastic, but they still tend to get brittle...

Derale has som stainless steel flex fans available throught Summit for $31... Look for the part # 17XXX (I think a #17017 fits most Chevelles- 17-inch)... Same fan, but polished blades goes for $52...

With a shroud, you want about 1/2 the blade inside and half outside the shroud for best airflow... it doesn't matter how close it is to the core...

You should still inspect your metal flex fan once in a while. I had an old one on my '79 K10 work/beater truck, and one day while going down the freeway, it pitched one of the blades. Luckily it went down when it exited the shrould, bounced off the road, hit the floor of the cab, and was gone. Had some good vibrations at that point. Two of the other blades were ready to go too. Granted, this is more of the exception than the rule, since I don't usually get under the hood of my truck, I usually just get in and drive. graemlins/clonk.gif

i'm going with dual electrics! :D

There has been a problem with the stainless fans. Some have been comming apart not the stainless fins but the steel structure. A friend over at the Camaro site had one go through his hood. If someone was leaning over the engine when it happened it could kill you. We aren't talking about 8000rpm it was closser to 2000.

My cousin had a flex fan come apart under his hood also... It stuck the blade right into the hood, and was sticking out the top. The one on my car is over 10 years old... Maybe I should go electric...

Steve Jack recommends DeRale flex fans, says they wont loosen the rivets or come apart. Check them out, Steve has always given good advice on this board.

Originally posted by LeoP:
Steve Jack recommends DeRale flex fans, says they wont loosen the rivets or come apart. Check them out, Steve has always given good advice on this board. I took his advice about this fan and use the Chrome 17" fan- fits PERFECT in a small block shroud, and really churns up a windstorm!

It really is built WAAAY better than a cheapie flex fan. I just dont see the thing coming apart. Its practically as solid as an OEM fan, IMHO. I too looked at those Summit fans- but if you look closely at them, they are different to a degree..I DONT think they are the Derale fans. I got mine on Ebay for UNDER $30 brand new! I did need a new spacer to position it right in the shroud, but big deal.

Well I got to the speed shop intent on getting a steel fan. I guess I forgot how heavy they are, went with the nylon again. I guess for 16 bucks, I'll just make replacing it a routine every couple of years. Oh Well, now all I need to do is register the car, get insurance and tune the antenna and I'll be ready to run shine, as long as there are no corners, thats because of the spool. I guess I should put the new pictures out there also.