Flex Fan Disaster - Page 3 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**truckster** · 01-16-2013, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

Glad no one was hurt, the hood can be replaced, but they haven't perfected reataching one's head yet.

I thought LocTite had come up with a product for that.

jrdv · 01-16-2013, 02:17 AM

I've run flex fans for years...just like I've run rubber hoses for fuel line. Product failures happen...just like car accidents, cutting yourself, falling on ice, food poisoning, diarrhea, etc. It happens.

The rubber hose thing will probably change due to the ethanol content, but until that happens personally....I will still run my old hoses on my old trucks. So far, I haven't had a problem.

Each person is responsible for the choice they make. If it is the wrong one...then chalk it up to a learning experience and go on with your life...it is no one elses fault.

John

watahyahknow · 01-16-2013, 03:33 AM

they sumetimes bend forward so mush they hit the radiator too , i had some performance books that warned me from them too
i think its mostly about the rpm you spin them with and the quality of the materials as producers like to get as mush profit out of there products they thent to go for cheaper material ,
it would help to fortify the scroud maibe put some scatterblanket like material around it
i would go for electric fans they dont rob power from the motor as mush

jrdv · 01-16-2013, 03:37 AM

I do agree on the RPM being a factor. I wouldn't think the stock fan would like hitting 7000 very often! Live and learn!

NJJK · 01-16-2013, 04:48 AM

My ex-girlfriend's cousin got killed by one. Flex fan came apart while he was adjusting the carb. He caught the blade in the neck and bled out before help got to him. Freak accident. Anything that spins that fast has the ability to do some serious damage when it decides to grenade.

bopper_702 · 01-16-2013, 04:55 AM

any body have pics of which ones to use?

bobs409 · 01-16-2013, 08:01 AM

Here's mine again. I was driving my truck at about 45 mph when the blade shot through the hood (and the reinforcement underneath!)

I can still see, feel and hear it like it was yesterday! A very fast loud THUD, seeing this THING sticking out of my hood and then the feeling like I was on 4 flats! I remember being stunned for a few seconds, then pulling right over.

The road I was on was right next to a rock bank that does occasionally let a rock loose and roll down and that was my first thought but there was no mistaking this object for a rock so didn't take long to realize what happened.

The rumbling 4 flat tire feeling was due to one blade being off and throwing it out of balance.

Drove it home, took this pic and then had to use a hammer to pound it back out. It was really in there!

NEVER AGAIN! BTW, I bought the truck with this fan already on it but at that time never knew the dangers of those. This was one of those shiny fancy stainless steel fans you always see in speed shops. (or did see when there actually was speed shops)

I can't believe they even sell these things yet. Maybe Mr. O'bumbles ought to ban these too?

CSGAS · 01-16-2013, 09:11 AM

Bopper, look for fans made like the original production fans, stamped and formed from one piece of thick sheet metal or at least each blade is once piece down to the attachment points (like a 4-blade fan being 2 pieces of metal crossed on top of each other, etc)

Some aftermarket fiberglass fans are made the factory way too, but others still use rivets. The rivets are the telltale "red flag" warning to not trust.

darush01 · 01-16-2013, 03:06 PM

Thats not good, i think ill stay away from those
Posted via Mobile Device

mgkgmc · 01-16-2013, 03:52 PM

There was a old episode of Trauma life in the ER on TLC where a guy in Memphis was working on his truck when one broke off and almost completely decapited the poor guy. They were able to reconnect all the tissue and arteries. But the guy died a few weeks later from complications from pneumonia. It was a really tough episode to watch. It made me paranoid of the fans in vehicles.

bopper_702 · 01-16-2013, 06:09 PM

Thanx CSGAS.. I have something similar to this
Posted via Mobile Device

jhwkns · 01-16-2013, 11:04 PM

I had an alternator fan disintegrate once. One of the aftermarket chrome ones... Never again.

70blackfish · 01-16-2013, 11:31 PM

3 pages of comments.. not one person noticed his fan is on backwards .........

01-16-2013, 02:17 AM	#52
jrdv Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: new mexico Posts: 948	Re: Flex Fan Disaster I've run flex fans for years...just like I've run rubber hoses for fuel line. Product failures happen...just like car accidents, cutting yourself, falling on ice, food poisoning, diarrhea, etc. It happens. The rubber hose thing will probably change due to the ethanol content, but until that happens personally....I will still run my old hoses on my old trucks. So far, I haven't had a problem. Each person is responsible for the choice they make. If it is the wrong one...then chalk it up to a learning experience and go on with your life...it is no one elses fault. John __________________ 1972 3/4T 4x4 Chevrolet (383) 1971 c-10 SWB (400 sb) 1972 4x4 Blazer 1969 SWB 4x4 GMC Projects: 1972 stepside 4x4 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=280132 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=285952 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=553672 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=522704

01-16-2013, 03:33 AM	#53
watahyahknow Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: the netherlands europe Posts: 4,335	Re: Flex Fan Disaster they sumetimes bend forward so mush they hit the radiator too , i had some performance books that warned me from them too i think its mostly about the rpm you spin them with and the quality of the materials as producers like to get as mush profit out of there products they thent to go for cheaper material , it would help to fortify the scroud maibe put some scatterblanket like material around it i would go for electric fans they dont rob power from the motor as mush __________________ i got a job again and having fun at it too idea's for the trucks and the order of things to do are taking shape and get closer to being realized , a few more months and i be able to start building for real i complete 2 of the trucks intoo running fashion one custom and one basicly stock the thirth will be sacrificed for parts

01-16-2013, 03:37 AM	#54
jrdv Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: new mexico Posts: 948	Re: Flex Fan Disaster I do agree on the RPM being a factor. I wouldn't think the stock fan would like hitting 7000 very often! Live and learn! __________________ 1972 3/4T 4x4 Chevrolet (383) 1971 c-10 SWB (400 sb) 1972 4x4 Blazer 1969 SWB 4x4 GMC Projects: 1972 stepside 4x4 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=280132 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=285952 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=553672 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=522704

01-16-2013, 04:48 AM	#55
NJJK Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Sarasota Posts: 1	Re: Flex Fan Disaster My ex-girlfriend's cousin got killed by one. Flex fan came apart while he was adjusting the carb. He caught the blade in the neck and bled out before help got to him. Freak accident. Anything that spins that fast has the ability to do some serious damage when it decides to grenade.

01-16-2013, 04:55 AM	#56
bopper_702 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: LAS VEGAS, NEVADA Posts: 105	Re: Flex Fan Disaster any body have pics of which ones to use? __________________ 1997 GMC SIERRA STEPSIDE 1986 CHEVY C10 1968 CHEVY C20 -JOSH IG:bopper702

01-16-2013, 08:01 AM	#57
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	Re: Flex Fan Disaster Here's mine again. I was driving my truck at about 45 mph when the blade shot through the hood (and the reinforcement underneath!) I can still see, feel and hear it like it was yesterday! A very fast loud THUD, seeing this THING sticking out of my hood and then the feeling like I was on 4 flats! I remember being stunned for a few seconds, then pulling right over. The road I was on was right next to a rock bank that does occasionally let a rock loose and roll down and that was my first thought but there was no mistaking this object for a rock so didn't take long to realize what happened. The rumbling 4 flat tire feeling was due to one blade being off and throwing it out of balance. Drove it home, took this pic and then had to use a hammer to pound it back out. It was really in there! NEVER AGAIN! BTW, I bought the truck with this fan already on it but at that time never knew the dangers of those. This was one of those shiny fancy stainless steel fans you always see in speed shops. (or did see when there actually was speed shops) I can't believe they even sell these things yet. Maybe Mr. O'bumbles ought to ban these too? Attached Images __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

01-16-2013, 09:11 AM	#58
CSGAS optomistic ah-so Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 544	Re: Flex Fan Disaster Bopper, look for fans made like the original production fans, stamped and formed from one piece of thick sheet metal or at least each blade is once piece down to the attachment points (like a 4-blade fan being 2 pieces of metal crossed on top of each other, etc) Some aftermarket fiberglass fans are made the factory way too, but others still use rivets. The rivets are the telltale "red flag" warning to not trust. __________________ Rubbing is Racin' Ribbing is Bench Racin' 1970 C-10 lwb Fleetside. Originally 350 2-bbl 3-on-the-tree, m/b, m/w, m/s no a/c. Currently running on a '76 Camaro 305.

01-16-2013, 03:06 PM	#59
darush01 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Louisville ky Posts: 398	Re: Flex Fan Disaster Thats not good, i think ill stay away from those Posted via Mobile Device

01-16-2013, 03:52 PM	#60
mgkgmc Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Glendale Arizona Posts: 1,354	Re: Flex Fan Disaster There was a old episode of Trauma life in the ER on TLC where a guy in Memphis was working on his truck when one broke off and almost completely decapited the poor guy. They were able to reconnect all the tissue and arteries. But the guy died a few weeks later from complications from pneumonia. It was a really tough episode to watch. It made me paranoid of the fans in vehicles. __________________ 1970 GMC 1500 stepside 1972 GMC Jimmy Custom 2004 Chevy Colorado 1989 Swb Silverado 1972 Aj's Stormer

01-16-2013, 06:09 PM	#61
bopper_702 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: LAS VEGAS, NEVADA Posts: 105	Re: Flex Fan Disaster Thanx CSGAS.. I have something similar to this Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1997 GMC SIERRA STEPSIDE 1986 CHEVY C10 1968 CHEVY C20 -JOSH IG:bopper702

01-16-2013, 11:04 PM	#62
jhwkns Registered Cruiser Join Date: May 2002 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 2,230	Re: Flex Fan Disaster I had an alternator fan disintegrate once. One of the aftermarket chrome ones... Never again. __________________ I intend to live forever. So far, so good.

01-16-2013, 11:31 PM	#63
70blackfish Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Newhall CA Posts: 1,195	Re: Flex Fan Disaster 3 pages of comments.. not one person noticed his fan is on backwards ......... __________________ 69 SWB 780hp Hellcat powered, manual 6 speed, currie 9



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