The fan on my '64 Merc 390 FE is bended and out of balance. So I want to replace it. I have a good working fan clutch and I want a new fan that will work with the clutch. Any ideas? Will a flex-fan work on a clutch? Many thanks, Ramon
the idea behind a fan clutch is that when the engine doesn't need to be pulling air through the radiator, it disengages the fan so that it will freewheel and not be a drag on the engine. There are two types, centrifical, that cuts out at higher RPM's and thermostatic that engages the fan at higher temps. I like the thermostatic. A flex fan flattens out at higher RPM when your going down the road and don't need air being pulled through the radiator. Just get a matched fan and clutch from a 70's Ford big car or truck with AC and you'll be fine. That's what I run on my O/T '69 F100 with a 390 and it works great.
Thanx for the info. The problem is that i live in the Netherlands and 70's Fords are not that common on the junkyards.... So i'm looking for a new fan that i can order from someone like Summit/jegs.
After I posted it I thought that old Fords are probably not common where you're at. Summit can get you a thermo clutch and matching fan. Tell them it's a 1976 LTD, 351M with A/C. I wouldn't use an aluminum flex fan after seeing one come apart, (not pretty). I stay away from "high performance" parts like this because IMHO, they are junk.
Not to confuse the issue, but I happen to be running a heavy duty thermo clutch and fan on my 58 TBird with a 390 that I orginally got from Summit for my 68 olds with a 455. I also would stay away from the flax fans after seeing one come apart and eating up the radiator on my dad's Landscruiser in the middle of the desert.....
Thanks Rom, I found out that I need the Flex-a-lite clutch type fan. I didn't know flex-a-lite made stock replacemend fans. There are no better parts then stock toyota parts, I know from my experience in the Amsterdam to Dakar challange in a 1986 Toyota pickup Thanx for the info guys, Ramon, Amsterdam
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