TheBigOne

Fan Clutch went out. $270 for a new one and I didn't want an electric fan mod.

I'm sure others have done this but I have not read anywhere, anyone doing this type of Fan Mod on the FC.

I opted for an all-time belt driven fan.

Maybe no one will be interested but in case there are the few who would like to keep the fan belt driven.
I will do a complete write up much later today.

Anyone please express feed back on this.

TheBigOne

The reason for the write up is because of the problems I encountered during the process of the mod. Also the type of fan used which has a rated rpm of 6.5 k and special fins that flex based on driving conditions.

Plus the fan makes this hair raising sound when accelerating.

Like 'damn whats under that hood?'

SureShot

The stock fan clutch slips at ~4K.
I put a bolt through the fan clutch on my 87 just to limp around while the replacement shipped.
The fan belts would scream above 5K.

What fan are you using? It sounds like an old hot rod style Flex-A-Lite.
The sound may be the belts slipping.

bcty

my old clutch fan was seized.. it was on 100% all the time... temps were real low all the time.. there was a little drag on the engine.. but i didnt mind with not having to worry about temp and it didnt squeel

Relisys190

iTrader: (4)

most definatly an E-fan.. it's the only way to go.

-Markus

"You gotta lot of room in your engine bay..."

Cause i have an E-fan !!!

Roy James

What the hell. I got an E fan from the J yard for about 20 bucks, and some wire and a relay for under 10. Lets see.... better fan for 30 or stock junk for near 300. Just do it

White_Seven

E-Fan is the way to go in my opinion, or you can look through the forum or eBay and try to find a used fan clutch, which will be far cheaper than new. I had the same problem with mine, and went E-Fan.

SonicRaT

iTrader: (6)

Nothing works better than the stock fan.

TheBigOne

All Kragen Parts and some from Home Depot

Flex Fan #221615 by Hayden Automotive $36.00
Flex Fan Spacer Kit #251759 $12.00
4 3" bolts size M6 $.50 ea. Regular Grade.
4 washers Size M6 but with a diameter of 2cm. $.05 ea.
4 Lock washers size M7. $.10 ea.
(The Spacer kit comes with bolts but they are too big.)

No need to remove the shroud. Remove bolts that retain the fan and fan clutch.

Becareful not to strip them. Its a bitch to get them off with Vise-Grips.
Now remove the studs that once held the fan to the pulley. You will use these holes to mount the spacer and Fan.
Clean the pulley with rubbing alcohol, brake cleaner or a solvent so it is clean. I will explain later.

Place the spacer over the pulley.

You will notice that the Flex Fan Spacer will have 4 large slots and 4 small slots. Fit the spacer accordingly.

Now this is the tricky part, the reason why you cleaned off the spacer.is because the spacer wont hold well by it self to the pulley. You need to use tape. I used electrical tape.

Now prepare your bolts with washers and lock washers.
Hold the Flex Fan to the spacer and line up the mounting holes.
Now thread one bolt at a time by hand in a Criss Cross patteren until they are hand tight.

Use a socket and tighten them down more by hand.

Torque down bolts to about 12-18 lbs.

Whalla!!!!

TheBigOne

.

88IntegraLS

You can get used fan clutches off Ebay for $30 or less. If you are not ready to tackle installing a temp switch, relay, fuse and necessary wire splices to install an electric fan, I would keep it stock. I doubt the E-fan mod frees up more than just a couple of HP at best.

banzaitoyota

DO NOT use a flex fan on a Rotary. They blades can/will come off with disasterous consequences.

rx7freddie

SonicRaT

Nothing works better than the stock fan.

if that was true then soul would have used the stock fan . caues it would cool better on hes 630whp i think it is car . u just dont under stand .

casio

i dont understand drunken gibberish. does the forum need spellcheck? people will argue both sides, so if you'd like to post proof, not an assumption, be our guest. and if you did talk to this guy, how would you feel if he said "the stock fan is better, i was just trying to get every last horse from my engine." people do dumb things to get their cars faster, that doesn't mean its better.

SonicRaT

iTrader: (6)

How do you know he didn't just replace it to clean up the engine bay like 90% of the people do? It's already been proven they don't move as many CFM's. And we also aren't talking about a 600hp car, are we?

1SxyRXy

i like having an e-fan. i havnt had any overhearting problems, pretty much no problems at all and then you got all the extra space

Terrh

iTrader: (7)

why will they fly apart? the revs?

that would suck


How many CFM does the stock fan move? My electric fan moves TONS of air.

TheBigOne

Is this true for all of the Flex Fan models?
There are a few types of flex fans.

The one I mentioned above has a rpm rating of 6.5k made with all steel but with aluminum blades.

NZConvertible

No, you don't understand. You don't understand spelling, punctuation, sentence structure or electric fans.

A 600+hp engine puts out as much heat while idling as a stock one, so Soul's car is irrelevant to the discussion.

Don't tell other people they don't understand until you have a clue what you're talking about. It's difficult to measure accurately without specialised equipment, and then if you wanted to compare it to an aftermarket fan you'd have to use exactly the same method as the manufacturer used to get their figures. Other manufacturers probably test their fans in slightly different ways too, so even comparing between brands dosesn't give a proper comparison.

Mazda's Japanese design department would be the only people who could answer your question with a number, but the simple answer is that the stock fans moves enough air to keep the engine cool under all conditions, and that's all it needs to do.

banzaitoyota

And redline on a S4 is 7K and for an S5 is 8K , you just exceeded the limits of the fans

TheBigOne

Oh I forgot. I drive @ redline all the time

c-squared

A bulletin was releases to all mechanics years ago about these fans, when a mechanic working under the hood of a car on carb tuning revved up the engine. One of the blades snapped off, and flew into his neck near the jugular, and he bled to death.

Flex fans have a history of failing, even when used at their rated rpms. They are not recommended by most mechanics. A properly working electric or clutch fan system is a much better alternative.