Clutch fan or no?

[comet_666]

I have a regular fan on my car, I think its 8 blade, should I invest in a viscous clutch fan like this?

http://www.manciniracing.com/maracofanblk.html

[Ghoste]

They aren't a bad thing but what is your reasoning?  If you want to free up a few hp then yes.

[comet_666]

Pretty much my reasoning.

[b5blue]

I've run an aftermarket flex fan with stainless steel flex blades for 20 years. With no shroud it still pulls a ton of air. 

[Dino]

My old flex fan without clutch and shroud worked just as well as my new steel fan with clutch and shroud.  Unfortunately the flex fan grenaded itself one day.

I don't see a reason to not run a clutch though.  They're cheap and they do a good job.  I have the one that's originally for Jaguars I think.

[myk]

My old flex fan without clutch and shroud worked just as well as my new steel fan with clutch and shroud.  Unfortunately the flex fan grenaded itself one day.

I don't see a reason to not run a clutch though.  They're cheap and they do a good job.  I have the one that's originally for Jaguars I think.

Ouch.  What was the damage afterwards?

[Dino]

My old flex fan without clutch and shroud worked just as well as my new steel fan with clutch and shroud.  Unfortunately the flex fan grenaded itself one day.

I don't see a reason to not run a clutch though.  They're cheap and they do a good job.  I have the one that's originally for Jaguars I think.

Ouch.  What was the damage afterwards?

A few marks on the inside of the hood but no dents, a damaged a/c line (one of the original ones), and a gash in the radiator.  My wife and I were standing next to the open hood not 10 seconds earlier when we heard the bang and saw coolant gushing out from under the car.

I found this old mom and pop rad repair shop close by and they cleaned, welded, and repainted the rad for $45.  I still can't get over that.   

I will never, ever run a flex fan again.  I don't care how strong they may claim it to be, I don't want it!

[b5blue]

Were the blades steel or aluminum?  Years ago my buddy had a factory steel blade go through the hood of a Chevy LUV pickup, we heard BANG and he had instant hood ornament. 

[ACUDANUT]

My old flex fan without clutch and shroud worked just as well as my new steel fan with clutch and shroud.  Unfortunately the flex fan grenaded itself one day.

I don't see a reason to not run a clutch though.  They're cheap and they do a good job.  I have the one that's originally for Jaguars I think.

Mine too and ate my radiator.  Viscos fan with clutch has my vote.

[John_Kunkel]

A really aggressive fan, one with wide blades and high blade pitch angle that will move a lot of air, have an rpm limit when driven directly....the belt will simply slip; AMHIK. The clutch allows the fan to efficiently move lots of air at low/medium speeds but slip at higher speeds to prevent belt overload.

[Dino]

Were the blades steel or aluminum?  Years ago my buddy had a factory steel blade go through the hood of a Chevy LUV pickup, we heard BANG and he had instant hood ornament. 

Aluminum, and it was at least 20 years old.

[flyinlow]

Aluminum has a much lower fatigue or cycle limit than steel. So I think it is a bad choice for a street car..

Steel fan with a clutch to limit rpm is good.

Stainless flex fans seam to work and survive.

[b5blue]

  I keep checking mine closely. Having nothing to replace it with, fan/clutch/shroud ect. = $$$ to replace something that has worked well  for 20 years+. Wile it seems not to be an issue the fan/clutch adds a bit more weight for the pump bearing/seal to carry long term.  I've not had a water pump fail yet but did replace the last one just because it was over 15 years old.

[68 RT]

If you have a 22 inch radiator a clutch fan, depending on clutch may not fit. A mopar performance one did not fit on my 68. Just an FYI.