When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
sorry if this is a dumb question, but in my search for a cleaner engine bay I am looking at ditching the V belt and going for the serpentine system. I would much rather use a clutch fan because of their reliability but I just don't see it happening. Is it possible to do?
Check the fan from a 1991-93 chevy caprice-that one is basicly a reverse rotation version of early thirdgen Camaro clutch fan I haven't checked the diameter of a caprice fan though.
I bought the Caprice clutch new today for $30 and the fan is another $40 or so. I just wish March Performance had a water pump pulley that was chrome and didnt cap off the bolt for the fan, I like the chrome look far more than the basic stuff
I would NEVER under ANY circumstances whatsoever in ANY car at ANY time for ANY reason run a flex fan. I can think of few faster easier surer ways to cause cooling system inadequacy than one of those. But that's just me...
When I got my radiator from Griffon, their tech suggested it.
He said that the core I was getting (two 1.5" aluminum cores) was generally used on Nascar cars and at speeds below 50 mph most fans could not supply the torque needed to pull air through it.
At idle the flex fan moves a huge amount of air, then flattens out as RPM increases to reduce drag. I also like that there are no clutches or motors to break.
I've tried a couple of different electric setups and the car ran much hotter under all conditions with them.
So SofaKingdom, what is it that you hate so much about flex fans? You've always given me good advice in the past so I would like to hear your thoughts on the subject.
I know this is off topic, so if you want to PM me or start a new thread, that might be a good idea. Now that i think about it, I'll bet you've expressed your opinion on the subject somewhere here already, so maybe just a link to that?
I did serpentine in 2014.
The used parts came from a Camaro 88-93, a 91-93 Caprice, and the fan blade from a 93 Blazer. I just re-used the fan clutch and mounting studs( 82-87 V8 third gen type)
The same should work for an 82 Berlinetta.
I used the serpentine system off of a '91 Camaro RS, with the original fan shroud from my '82 Camaro. All it needed was a reverse rotation fan and water pump.
Im looking at using the Hayden 2727 clutch fan (standard version) and either a blazer/caprice/1500 fan. Havent decided on the fan yet. Probably make a custom shroud since the cost of original ones for thirdgens are pretty high.
Ive already got the serpentine, just have to replace the stock single electric fan. Was really curious on clearance pics and what clutches yall used. I was looking at the standard clutch since it spins slightly less at speed then the heavy or severe duty.
Did you get the clutch and fan installed? Id love to see pictures of it.
Thanks
Sorry for the late reply, been busy with work.
I put this project on the back burner for some time due to other big life investments and never got back to it.
Last week my P/S system decided to start leaking and the day before I was going to get a new pump and lines, more issues arose. Long story short, my A/C compressor felt it was no longer going to be part of my engine and tried to leave on its own accord.
It made more sense to finish a project I had been wanting to do rather than replace two of the accessories alone. So now I have the serpentine kit on its way with a reverse flex fan to run off the water pump w/o a clutch (only a temp job until I replace the radiator and do electric fans). I will post some pictures once everything is done.
Well the serpentine is in and I am fairly happy with it so far. It looks a lot cleaner, granted my engine bay was far from clean to begin with so maybe the new parts just put lipstick on the pig. install was straightforward and easy to do, no issues and no parts store runs needed.
I'm actually impressed with the flex fan, I half expected the thing to be useless from what some people have said about them. In the past few days of Texas heat and traffic I still never saw the temp go above around 170° after the thermostat opened up.
Actually I will note one thing, the alternators positive post that runs to the starter actually hits the valve cover, so I did have to take out the alt. to install the wire and then boot it. Took a little weight to get it back in place but no big issue there.
Make sure that alternator lug cannot short out!
And I agree with you and esc - this is the ONLY setup I would use.
It is foolproof. Too many things to fail with electric fans.
I see the lockwashers on the fan bolts, but did you use Loctite also?
Change the clock position of your alternator. Unscrew the three through bolts that hold the front to the back, and turn the back half until the threaded ears line up with the next bolt, and retighten the screws. Just don't let the front and back separate too far, or you'll have to reset the brushes.
I'd sooner listen to Nickelback's greatest hits on repeat than to use a stone-age piece of hardware like a flex fan. Electric fans are the bee's knees.
Make sure that alternator lug cannot short out!
And I agree with you and esc - this is the ONLY setup I would use.
It is foolproof. Too many things to fail with electric fans.
I see the lockwashers on the fan bolts, but did you use Loctite also?
Unless my rocker arm cover gets hot enough to melt 1/8" thick rubber, it shouldn't be shorting out anytime soon. Those bolts are more secure than you can imagine, I will probably regret that when it comes time to remove them again.
Change the clock position of your alternator. Unscrew the three through bolts that hold the front to the back, and turn the back half until the threaded ears line up with the next bolt, and retighten the screws. Just don't let the front and back separate too far, or you'll have to reset the brushes.
I'd sooner listen to Nickelback's greatest hits on repeat than to use a stone-age piece of hardware like a flex fan. Electric fans are the bee's knees.
I didn't think about that, as long as everything matches up that would make everything easier, thanks!
I'm not planning on keeping the flex fan, I will be going to dual electric down the road, just prioritizing based off what is essential to the cars needs
I spoke too soon about the alternator and was too late to adjust it... It arced through the boot and into the valve cover today, I got her to run but the alt. is fried
grabbing a new one after work and putting it on the safe route this time, thanks for the tip on re positioning the front and back!
Well the serpentine is in and I am fairly happy with it so far. It looks a lot cleaner, granted my engine bay was far from clean to begin with so maybe the new parts just put lipstick on the pig. install was straightforward and easy to do, no issues and no parts store runs needed.
I'm actually impressed with the flex fan, I half expected the thing to be useless from what some people have said about them. In the past few days of Texas heat and traffic I still never saw the temp go above around 170° after the thermostat opened up.
So far so good!!
There is no fan shroud in your picture. If you don't have one you should try to get one. The flex fan fan will easily cool twice as well with a proper shroud.
I'd sooner listen to Nickelback's greatest hits on repeat than to use a stone-age piece of hardware like a flex fan. Electric fans are the bee's knees.
YMMV, but I've used two different electric fan setups (big single, factory double) and none of them kept my engine as cool as a flex fan.
I don't claim that what works for me will work for you. I don't claim that I have the best system possible. But after 35 years of tinkering, I have yet to find anything that will work better on my car, than a properly installed, good quality flex fan.
YMMV, but I've used two different electric fan setups (big single, factory double) and none of them kept my engine as cool as a flex fan.
I don't claim that what works for me will work for you. I don't claim that I have the best system possible. But after 35 years of tinkering, I have yet to find anything that will work better on my car, than a properly installed, good quality flex fan.
I just hit up several pick a part yards in Tampa, West palm, and Daytona.
Sure was some slim pickins' for 3rd gens.
Most had ONE picked over V-6! NO Z-28s at any of them!
I scored a fan shroud at the PaP yard in Largo. They had FOUR 3rd gens.
3 v-6s and one v-8 RS.
One RS had some nice black with red inserts vinal interior.
Wanted the fan and extension too but the blades were wasted
Only paid $12 bucks for it!
I just hit up several pick a part yards in Tampa, West palm, and Daytona.
Sure was some slim pickins' for 3rd gens.
Most had ONE picked over V-6! NO Z-28s at any of them!
Sshhh... People are still trying to say they're plentiful, and parts are cheap, and it won't matter if they part a higher end thirdgen...
There is no fan shroud in your picture. If you don't have one you should try to get one. The flex fan fan will easily cool twice as well with a proper shroud.
Appreciate the heads up, I still use the stock shroud, I just had it off for install and thought a pic without it would be a little easier to see everything
07-01-2016, 10:34 AM
I haven't checked the diameter of a caprice fan though. 
