I'm cleaning up my 72 LT1, keeping the main components original, but adding a little chrome to "make it shine". I've added aluminum pullies but was woundering if I should mess with the fan! The car runs great in the Atlanta heat but wanted to know if anyone had success in swapping for a customized fan (whatever that means) without raising the temperature....

You don't specify what type of fan you're wanting to use. I would stay with a fan that uses the original TYPE fan clutch, and not go to a "flex-fan" that bolts up direct. They tend to make a lot of noise,and they use more engine power to turn @ higer rpms. You could buy a correct spare fan, and have it chromed, if that's what you want.

I second that opinion! I farted around with flexfans and electric fans and never had the same results as my old clutch fan. I ended up returning to that. You can pull it out, clean it up real nice and paint it. Thats just my two cents. I got frustrated as hell and spent alot of money for nothing trying to be creative with my fan set up, only to return to the origional. Flex fans work ok but make a crap load of noise! It sounded awful and annoying. I never got the electrics to cool my motor down enough.

Great ideas.. thanks... looks like I'll be cleaning the original fan this weekend!

I also have tried different fan setups. I currently have the flex fan and see no improvement..except it is louder...will go back to the stock 7 blade clutch fan this winter. The placement on the fan (front to back is critical) it must be right on or it won't cool correctly. I've forgot the measurement, but I'm sure someone here has it.
Alan

I gotta rezize this pic

I switched to a flex fan this summer. this did help with low speed temps about 15 deg. But you have to have a spacer thats the right leagth and has a larger center hole that fits the waterpump. I ended up buying a longer one and having it machined downed. It is louder but you cant tell over the chamberd exhust.

nice loking vette there swest lt-1

When I reworked my engine compartment I thought about the flex fan, even bought one, but ended up just cleaning up the old fan, painting parts of it, getting a new fan clutch, and installing it back on the car.