Original Radiator Fan...Switch it out for a lighter One?
 

The old one cools fine but I'm wondering if a lighter fine would be beneficial. Less stress on the pulleys/bearings? It's easy enough to switch out.

TIA

Re: Original Radiator Fan...Switch it out for a lighter One?
 

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it, just my opinion.

Re: Original Radiator Fan...Switch it out for a lighter One?
 

Sometimes those lighter fans explode and put nasty 4 inch gashes in your freshly painted hood.
You got a link to what you’re looking at?

Re: Original Radiator Fan...Switch it out for a lighter One?
 

Yeah, flexfans have been rumored to try and kill as well as slice through hoods or whatever is in the way when they let go.
What fan does the OP have? Clutch fans with rigid blades are considered good if the clutch works. If the fan clutch is disengaged, it doesn't matter much what the fan weighs.

Re: Original Radiator Fan...Switch it out for a lighter One?
 

Yup, clutch fans are best. One of my brothers knew a guy who was killed when his flex flan threw a blade.

As for strain concerns, consider that the same ancillary equipment is used on 40- 60 series trucks. Bearings and so forth seem to hold up fine on them.

Re: Original Radiator Fan...Switch it out for a lighter One?
 

Yeah, I think I've picked up some sort of understanding that when you drop a 350 into a 1968 C/10 the engine sits kind of far back in the engine bay (closer to the firewall) and further back from the radiator. Maybe the automatic xmission causes that, I don't know.
Anyway the fan that's in there right now does have what looks like an extension on it to get it closer to the radiator. The fan shroud I was told to put in there is for a big block 4Wheeler (fits) nice and my new Chinese radiator work great. It just seemed like that antique fan seems kind of heavy. But if consensus here is leave it alone, I'll just do that.
Actually my truck runs great for all the cobbling done on it, I got to get to the ball joints and tie rod ends and rebuild the parking brake entirely! Happy Holidays.....

Re: Original Radiator Fan...Switch it out for a lighter One?
 

Let's see some pics. I'm betting you're set up fine, though.

Re: Original Radiator Fan...Switch it out for a lighter One?
 

With the Shroud on it covers everything...Let me take a look later....

Re: Original Radiator Fan...Switch it out for a lighter One?
 

The way I feel also. If it is cooling correctly, let it be. If it's not, then look at other options.

Re: Original Radiator Fan...Switch it out for a lighter One?
 

For the most part, the OE fan is of much better quality than almost every aftermarket replacement, even being over 50 years old.

If it's not damaged, leave it be.

Re: Original Radiator Fan...Switch it out for a lighter One?
 

As long as the fans are balanced there isn't gong to be a noticeable difference in load on the bearings by going to a lighter one. Your biggest load on the bearings comes from the belts side loading them.

Re: Original Radiator Fan...Switch it out for a lighter One?
 

If a SBC is swapped in for an inline 6 and the I-6 engine mounts on the frame are used the engine will sit back closer to the firewall. There are mounts for V-8's and I-6's.

Flex fans are trash. Stick with an OE fan, and if it doesn't have a clutch, add an OE fan that does.

Gary