looking into buying a flex fan do i need a spacer too?

[03mach1]

i am looking into buying a flex fan would i need to get a spacer too? my car likes to run hot. This would be for the tbird that I have because my small 4 blade just does not cut it. I need a bigger fan.

[Superior Shine]

Re: looking into buying a flex fan do i need a spacer too?

If you have already serviced your cooling system, I'd go with a new clutch and fan combo after you figure that your radiator is OK.

Do you have a fan shroud?

What do you consider hot? I am guessing you should be in the 180-190 range.

[03mach1]

Re: looking into buying a flex fan do i need a spacer too?

185F around there. I do have a fan shroud. Those flex a lite fans are a little bigger whick I would hate to lose my fan shroud it hold my radiator in place. My radiator was flushed before I bought the car. when the owner before me had it he was a teacher so the school shop got the car running after sitting 14 years. Did all the work to have a proper running car. What is the difference between a clutch fan and a normal fan. I know what a clutch fan looks like but never really know hat it does I thought it was just cars with A/C had them.

[Superior Shine]

Re: looking into buying a flex fan do i need a spacer too?

You need a proper cooling system service before you start chasing parts. Was the system pressure checked? Do you have a new cap in the correct psi on your radiator?

Engine timing could also effect engine temp. Bad (grabbing) breaks will raise engine temp as well.

Ford didn't let your car out of the factory with a heating problem so stick with factory specs unless your modifying the engine for greater performance.

[Superior Shine]

Re: looking into buying a flex fan do i need a spacer too?

Oh BTW - Fan Clutch

[03mach1]

Re: looking into buying a flex fan do i need a spacer too?

I have a new radiator cap I do not think I have ever had the block or system pressure checked. Suppose I should if it has not been but I will get to that. I will leave the fan for now but now that it is hot I would like to stick a bigger fan on it. When The factory made these cars they put the cars out with these fans that barely met standards to keep enough air flow going through the radiator. I do suppose that if this has never over heated before then it never should. It has scared me a couple of times where the cars needle gauge swung close to hot but this was in traffic. i would only get this fan because I like to drive it and minimize the chances of overheating in traffic situations.My car idles at 400 RPM factory requirement. Not much air is going through the radiator at idle at 400 RPM. I just can't belive these cars idle so low.

[Paul S]

Re: looking into buying a flex fan do i need a spacer too?

If you want cooling above and beyond what the factory has put in place and the cooling system is in proper working order then look into an aftermarket electric fan that bolts directly to the radiator such as the muscle car and street rodders use. The electric fan is a lot less of a horsepower drain then a stock , flex or clutch fan and can be run with a on/off toggle or controlled by a thermostat.

Paul

[03mach1]

Re: looking into buying a flex fan do i need a spacer too?

My friend has a dual elextric fan on his 71 Mach1 mustang. He leaves it running all the time. My concern with electric fans is reliability I know they are reliable but leaving them running all the time would that shorten the life time?

[Paul S]

Re: looking into buying a flex fan do i need a spacer too?

Most quality fans come with a thermostat to keep from running the battery down and will cool the motor off even after shut-down if wired to do so.

[03mach1]

Re: looking into buying a flex fan do i need a spacer too?

well that is cool. By getting a electric fan and getting rid of my current pully driven fan would that increase the like of my water pump?