If you can figure out your fan clutch problem, that seems to me to be the best answer.  The flex fans don't move as much air at idle, and use more power at speed.  And they usually are noisier.  They are also cheaper than a good fan clutch, so choose your poison.

Larry

My question would have to be, is your car running hot? You can tell if the fan is turning fast enough just by the amount of air its moving when its hot. Plus a lot of times when they go bad you will see some leakage out the back side. I've had them before where you can actually stop it with your hand when its running. If the clutch is working right, I agree with Larry, thats the way I would go.

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[QUOTE=VetteSpecialties] If you can figure out your fan clutch problem, that seems to me to be the best answer. The flex fans don't move as much air at idle, and use more power at speed. And they usually are noisier. They are also cheaper than a good fan clutch, so choose your poison.Larry
[/QUOTE]

I'd have to agree, even tho the question wasn't about what to replace the fan-clutch with.
A normal functioning clutch will spin differently depending on ambient, and underhood/engine temps. They are thermostatically controlled, so when the air temp is cool, the fan will not lock up as much as it does when the temps are up in the operating, or overheat ranges.
If the fan blades are not wobbling with the engine running, there is no fluid leaking from the seal area, and there is no engine overheating issues, I'd say your clutch is prolly otay. Also, if you can grab a fan blade, and move it forward/backward more than 1/16", it may be on it's way out...and you should be able to see the fan wobble with the engine running.

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Joel Adams
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

OK here is what is on the Auto Parts Warehouse site for a 17" 1300 series Flex-a-lite flex fan with stainless steel blades, belt driven. Designed to deliver maximum airflow at low RPM, least amount of engine loading at high RPM, provides less resistance at Hwy speeds to deliver more horsepower. they note that it is rated at 10,000 RPM and must be used with a fan shroud. So I was just wondering about your thoughts on this fan? 

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Aaron

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I have that fan Aaron. So far I have had no trouble with it, I took off my perfectly good clutch fan for the flex fan. I did this last winter when I had all of the engine crap off of it for paint. I wanted to remove more stuff for a cleaner look.

I can't tell any difference in noise... O, nada, zip... it sounds the same to me.

It might run a few degrees warmer although I am not sure just yet. I have only driven the car about 20 miles since putting it back together a week ago.

So far so good but I don't think there is any jump out and notice advantages in running this type of fan other than it just looks better under the hood to me.Tuxblacray2008-05-06 11:54:10

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Tux, thanks for the info, I may be looking at removing my fan clutch and adding a flex fan in the next couple months. The fan runs about $50 to $60 and the adapter is around $19, they come in colors and I have some red stuff (hose covers & plug wires) under the hood. I should have room to work on this with the radiator in the car and only remove the fan shroud to access the fan?

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Aaron

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Check Ebay... I got mine new with adapter and bolts for $35.00 to my door. Before you remove the shroud try to remove the fan as is.

I was able to remove the clutch fan and install the flex fan with out removing the shroud.

Installing the flex fan and the adapter requires some patience. Align the top hole 1st then spin it to the side and put the bot across from it in. do the same for the last 2. Then tighten them down run it for awhile and recheck it again.

If you run into trouble it is okay to cuss some.... just don't throw any wrenches......    

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Tux, I just ordered the Flex-a-Lite 17" Flex Fan red FLX1307 for $31.10 and the Flex-a-Lite 2" Spacer red FLX14556-1 for $10.36 from Pace Performance www.paceperformance.com , I should get them in about a week or so and then it will be making time to install them or chicken out and have someone do it. It does look like the fan shroud won't have to come off but if I do it I think I'll cuss a little..

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Aaron

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You won't have any problems putting it on. Just take your time and it will be fine. So far I haven't noticed any ill side effects.

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Flex Fan and Spacer installed this weekend. The only problem I ran into was the shaft on my water pump was bigger than the hole on the Spacer, so I went to Costless Auto Parts and got one that would fit. My son and I used a method removing the studs from the hub/water pump that Todd (767REP) told me about. Use two nuts on the stud, tighten them both down and then back out the first nut and the stud came right out like a bolt. I did use some liquid wrench on the studs minutes before also. So we ran up the 205 Frwy. for about 30 to 40 miles at about 70 miles an hour and she stayed right at about 200 and on the streets she stayed about 190 to 195. On the Frwy. she was running at about 210 and 200 on the streets. So I do see some improvement and it looks very cool. I think I only cussed a couple of times.Aaron19762008-07-20 16:10:43

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Aaron

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Sounds great Aaron.... see that weren't so bad were it.....?

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