I have a 1991 5.0 GT in which the fan is not turning. I hope it is the fan clutch and I am replacing both the fan and clutch. My question is, which would be better a factory fan and clutch or flex fan or the electric fan. All of my mods have just been bolt ons. I have a fairly new radiator on it.
Factory Fan or Electric Fan?
- Thread starter akagargoyle
- Start date
Jkstang78
Founding Member
In order of superiority from worst to best:
1) flex fan
2) viscous clutch fan
3) electric fan
A flex fan is the worst because it is 100% drag all the time. That "flattens out at high rpm"" stuff is crap, no one drives at a constant 5000 rpm or more. The stock setup is descent but it is at least a variable drag yet still remains a physical load on the engine. Electric fans are heavy on an electrical system at times, mostly at startup with the spike in amperage draw. Yet the great thing that the other two don't offer is for them to be off and most driving doesn't need a fan running anyway with a properly working cooling system and radiator. So therefore when it isn't on versus the other two forms of cooling, it frees the "hp drag" the other fans had on the engine, increases bearing life in the water pump because it isn't attatched any longer to it, and increases gas mileage because of again, the non-existant drag on the engine - need I say anymore?
1) flex fan
2) viscous clutch fan
3) electric fan
A flex fan is the worst because it is 100% drag all the time. That "flattens out at high rpm"" stuff is crap, no one drives at a constant 5000 rpm or more. The stock setup is descent but it is at least a variable drag yet still remains a physical load on the engine. Electric fans are heavy on an electrical system at times, mostly at startup with the spike in amperage draw. Yet the great thing that the other two don't offer is for them to be off and most driving doesn't need a fan running anyway with a properly working cooling system and radiator. So therefore when it isn't on versus the other two forms of cooling, it frees the "hp drag" the other fans had on the engine, increases bearing life in the water pump because it isn't attatched any longer to it, and increases gas mileage because of again, the non-existant drag on the engine - need I say anymore?
Michael Yount
Mustang Master
I'm curious about what you described as the problem with yours. The stock clutched fan will free-wheel to a certain extent unless/until the engine reaches operating temperature. So if you reach under the hood when it's cold or cooled off, you can spin the fan with your hand - that's perfectly normal.
When the clutches fail, they most often lock up spinning the fan all the time and making a heckuva 'whirring' racket.
Are you sure yours has failed? Don't get me wrong - I think electric fans are a better solution. Just wouldn't want you to replace yours needlessly.
When the clutches fail, they most often lock up spinning the fan all the time and making a heckuva 'whirring' racket.
Are you sure yours has failed? Don't get me wrong - I think electric fans are a better solution. Just wouldn't want you to replace yours needlessly.
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