Flex Fan Disaster - Page 2 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

FLEET72 · 02-06-2007, 04:58 PM

My '89 S-10 2.5L had a plastic fan and took out the hood and shroud before I realized there was a recall issued for it. I was the 3rd owner and the truck was 13 years old at the time it happened so no warranty. Scared the livin' snot outta me. I was accelerating hard after turning into the flow of traffic trying to merge and KABOOM! I thought it tossed a rod because I saw the hood jump and a shadow moving skyward. Gathered up the pieces, drove home and put an electric fan on.

b&a72 · 02-06-2007, 04:59 PM

I had one break a few years ago and did the same thing wish I still had the pictures. Never ran one again and after my friends saw my hood they took theres off to.

arkracing · 02-06-2007, 05:44 PM

Yep seen it happen before - luckily the only time I had it happen to me I was driving and the blade came out the bottom - didn't even hit anything on the way out.

I prefer to use these: (I've even contemplated tack welding the back side of the blades to the hub but fear that it may throw the fan "out of balance" causing pre-mature water pump wear/failure)

weasel29gm · 02-06-2007, 06:20 PM

Like the rest " WOW '' !!!!!!!!

Bamm · 02-06-2007, 08:25 PM

Hey man, I'm with Longhorn, I've been telling anyone that will listen to get rid of those time bombs before it's too late. My uncles '78 took one through the hood just like that. With there being very, very little to no gain by running one, it just bogs my mind why anyone would put one of these on their truck. Crapper about the hood dude, glad you're okay...........Jerry

Bamm · 02-06-2007, 08:35 PM

Links............
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=15731
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=158597
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=222796

Waylon · 02-06-2007, 08:44 PM

That happened to me on my '69 back when I was in High School, I was going down the road at the time. it didn't go all the way through my hood, but it messed it up and it made a big hole in my radiator. A guy in my squadron has a huge scar across his face from one coming apart when he was messing around with his carb. The same guy just fell through the roof of his barn about a month ago and some tin fell on his head, got over 200 stiches in his face/neck/head area...he was pretty screwed up looking from the fan blade I can't imagine what he is going to look like now!!

watahyahknow · 02-06-2007, 09:37 PM

i would go electric those enginedriven fans take more hp to drive than you think

GREASEMONKEY72 · 02-06-2007, 09:46 PM

damn man atlest youre ok though ive heard about this many times but never actually seen the aftermath from one and thanks for sharing and getting others to replace theirs to, and for the hood thatll buff out fine..hahaha

Black 95 TSI · 02-06-2007, 10:07 PM

Stupid flex fans, I had one come apart right after i closed the hood, my brother had one on his firebird, i took it off and shot it with the 12 gauge

russellmarling · 02-06-2007, 11:10 PM

Last week this happened to a Toyata truck that belongs to a friend of mine. It dented the hood, demolished the fan shroud, put a hole in the airbox, sliced a radiator hose and a power steering hose, and sliced the ABS harness. It was plastic, so it went into a million pieces. The next day I removed the flex fan from my truck and ordered some electric fans.

BLAZERMAN · 02-07-2007, 12:06 AM

Had the exact same thing happen on my 72 AMX, coudnt find another cowl hood so ended up fixing the hole and ditching the fan. I've bought vehicles since that have had them and they are the first thing to go.

texanidiot25 · 02-07-2007, 12:36 AM

Flex fans.... are they the clutch engaged ones that run from the engine power? In other words, do '98 Jimmys have them? Makes me nervous since I was working on it today, put in a new serpentine belt, and stood by it with the hood up as while the belt was being broken in. Even looking over the fan to check the belt while it was at idle.

Please let them not be a flex fan.

**special-K** · 02-07-2007, 01:09 AM

They don`t go all at once.But,should be inspected frequently for cracks.

krue · 02-07-2007, 03:12 AM

Sucks to be your hood, but as has been said it could have been a lot worse.

bigblockorange · 02-07-2007, 03:35 AM

been there done that wish I could have tolded you before it happened to you.

watahyahknow · 02-07-2007, 04:04 AM

i've seen pics in hot rod magazine once from a disintergrated vibrationdamper they warned about those too the type with the rubber centre and a castiron ring around that

70LongbedC20 · 02-07-2007, 06:20 AM

Oh geez, this has got me thinking. I have a solid coupler on the waterpump pulley to the fan and I wanted to replace it with a stock thermostatic unit. I don't know if the fan itself is stock, or if it is an aftermarket flexfan. The truck I just got came out of Texas so I guess they needed the extra cooling, but I don't. Anyone have an idea where I can get a factory coupler and thermostatic clutch? Good that didn't happen to me on the Autobahn coming down from Hamburg. (I pushed the engine a couple of times to see what she could do)

Mudder · 02-07-2007, 06:37 AM

A spacer (extension) for a fan will to the same thing. I added one to my fan one time to get it closer to the shroud. It threw the whole fan off. Beware.

70LongbedC20 · 02-07-2007, 07:28 AM

Would someone look at this catalog page for me? Looks here like Number 5 (fan clutch, upper left) serves as both the coupler and the clutch. Is that right? I believe on my Chevelle you could unbolt the clutch from the coupler. Is it different on the trucks?

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/CB/0108.asp

**special-K** · 02-07-2007, 07:53 AM

It`s important to inspect all rotating parts for fatigue and alignment when under the hood.A belt could break and whip you good if your in the wrong place at the wrong time.A rigid fan could fatigue and loose a piece(not as likely as a flex-fan).All spinning fans are dangerous.
I`m just trying to make everyone realize there`s more to underhood safety,or danger,than flex-fans.I have used them,they work great,I keep an eye on them,and don`t run when I see one.Just let this remind us to use care when near a running engine,there are no garauntees.

crawdadjr · 02-07-2007, 11:54 AM

Same thing on a 69 Chevelle turning 7500 RPMs at the 1/8 mile point.......Thought the engine blew the way the blades went thru both fenders and the hood! Steam everywhere from shredding the radiator and hoses!

LostMy65 · 01-16-2013, 01:11 AM

I was just searching for threads on the danger of flex fans.
This is just one of the many many threads warning of the danger.
If you have one, throw it away, don't even try to sell it lest someone gets hurt.
Posted via Mobile Device

jrdv · 01-16-2013, 01:16 AM

What everyone needs to understand...all after market parts have a potential for destruction....OEM included. I have run a flex fan on my 71 swb for over 14 years and 70,000 miles. Am I lucky, maybe....

My opinion, run what works.

John

LostMy65 · 01-16-2013, 01:25 AM

Sure too many horror stories to risk it.
In every thread with the many posts warning of the danger, you'll find a couple who say they have never had a problem.
Posted via Mobile Device

02-06-2007, 04:58 PM	#26
FLEET72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sonoma, CA Posts: 521	Re: Flex Fan Disaster My '89 S-10 2.5L had a plastic fan and took out the hood and shroud before I realized there was a recall issued for it. I was the 3rd owner and the truck was 13 years old at the time it happened so no warranty. Scared the livin' snot outta me. I was accelerating hard after turning into the flow of traffic trying to merge and KABOOM! I thought it tossed a rod because I saw the hood jump and a shadow moving skyward. Gathered up the pieces, drove home and put an electric fan on. __________________ Oscar '72 Shortbed Fleetside '95 Jimmy 4X4 '69 GMC Custom Camper

02-06-2007, 04:59 PM	#27
b&a72 Active Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 682	Re: Flex Fan Disaster I had one break a few years ago and did the same thing wish I still had the pictures. Never ran one again and after my friends saw my hood they took theres off to.

02-06-2007, 05:44 PM	#28
arkracing Weekend Warrior Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: CT Posts: 1,787	Re: Flex Fan Disaster Yep seen it happen before - luckily the only time I had it happen to me I was driving and the blade came out the bottom - didn't even hit anything on the way out. I prefer to use these: (I've even contemplated tack welding the back side of the blades to the hub but fear that it may throw the fan "out of balance" causing pre-mature water pump wear/failure) Attached Images __________________ -'07 GMC Sierra K2500HD -'66 C10 Suburban -'68/'71 K20 Service Bed Project -'69 Chevy C30 Mason Dump -'33Ford P/U 396ChevyPowered Last edited by arkracing; 02-06-2007 at 05:46 PM.

02-06-2007, 06:20 PM	#29
weasel29gm SLOW BUT SURE,BUT CLOSER Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: eleanor wv usa Posts: 3,093	Re: Flex Fan Disaster Like the rest " WOW '' !!!!!!!! __________________ 69 C-10, OWNED 35YRS... 350 over 30, 350 Turbo, 3:73 Posi P/S, P/B Black with red and black int. ''LOVE THESE OLD ''TRUCKS.......

02-06-2007, 08:25 PM	#30
Bamm Cowboy Fan for Life!!!!!! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Amelia, Virginia Posts: 2,921	Re: Flex Fan Disaster Hey man, I'm with Longhorn, I've been telling anyone that will listen to get rid of those time bombs before it's too late. My uncles '78 took one through the hood just like that. With there being very, very little to no gain by running one, it just bogs my mind why anyone would put one of these on their truck. Crapper about the hood dude, glad you're okay...........Jerry __________________ 1967 ShortBed Fleetside 3/4 Drop 350/700R4 Tilt wheel 18 x 8 Torque Thrust II's Future mods: All new gauges & wood bed My Zip is 23002 I ship UPS, USPS

02-06-2007, 08:35 PM	#31
Bamm Cowboy Fan for Life!!!!!! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Amelia, Virginia Posts: 2,921	Re: Flex Fan Disaster Links............ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=15731 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=158597 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=222796 __________________ 1967 ShortBed Fleetside 3/4 Drop 350/700R4 Tilt wheel 18 x 8 Torque Thrust II's Future mods: All new gauges & wood bed My Zip is 23002 I ship UPS, USPS

02-06-2007, 08:44 PM	#32
Waylon Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Derby, KS Posts: 42	Re: Flex Fan Disaster That happened to me on my '69 back when I was in High School, I was going down the road at the time. it didn't go all the way through my hood, but it messed it up and it made a big hole in my radiator. A guy in my squadron has a huge scar across his face from one coming apart when he was messing around with his carb. The same guy just fell through the roof of his barn about a month ago and some tin fell on his head, got over 200 stiches in his face/neck/head area...he was pretty screwed up looking from the fan blade I can't imagine what he is going to look like now!! __________________ '69 Chevy SWB Fleet 307/350 '09 Z71 crew cab '04 Tahoe (wife's) '07 Yamaha Road Star Silverado

02-06-2007, 09:37 PM	#33
watahyahknow Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: the netherlands europe Posts: 4,335	Re: Flex Fan Disaster i would go electric those enginedriven fans take more hp to drive than you think __________________ 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

02-06-2007, 09:46 PM	#34
GREASEMONKEY72 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bakersfield,CA Posts: 7,893	Re: Flex Fan Disaster damn man atlest youre ok though ive heard about this many times but never actually seen the aftermath from one and thanks for sharing and getting others to replace theirs to, and for the hood thatll buff out fine..hahaha __________________ -steven Alte Seele S.S. "Allison" '72 C/10 LWB 350SB/TH350 - DD PITBULL IS NOT A CRIME

02-06-2007, 10:07 PM	#35
Black 95 TSI Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Alexandria VA Posts: 77	Re: Flex Fan Disaster Stupid flex fans, I had one come apart right after i closed the hood, my brother had one on his firebird, i took it off and shot it with the 12 gauge __________________ 70 C10 SWB stepside forsale 00 Silverado Z71 Sold 95 Eagle Talon TSI turbo (Hellz ya its fast) 70 Chevelle 69 firebird 10 Silverado 4x4

02-06-2007, 11:10 PM	#36
russellmarling Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Highlands, NC Posts: 138	Re: Flex Fan Disaster Last week this happened to a Toyata truck that belongs to a friend of mine. It dented the hood, demolished the fan shroud, put a hole in the airbox, sliced a radiator hose and a power steering hose, and sliced the ABS harness. It was plastic, so it went into a million pieces. The next day I removed the flex fan from my truck and ordered some electric fans. __________________ '70 GMC SWB step-side- 454, 4 speed, air bags (in progress) '09 CTS-V M6 '03 Sierra SWB Z71 '82 Yamaha Seca XJ650R Turbo! '04 Yamaha FZ6

02-07-2007, 12:06 AM	#37
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,826	Re: Flex Fan Disaster Had the exact same thing happen on my 72 AMX, coudnt find another cowl hood so ended up fixing the hole and ditching the fan. I've bought vehicles since that have had them and they are the first thing to go. __________________ 1972 C/30 133" W.B. C&C 1970 GMC 3500 157" W.B. single wheel C&C

02-07-2007, 12:36 AM	#38
texanidiot25 Eat My Rust Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cypress, Texas Posts: 3,362	Re: Flex Fan Disaster Flex fans.... are they the clutch engaged ones that run from the engine power? In other words, do '98 Jimmys have them? Makes me nervous since I was working on it today, put in a new serpentine belt, and stood by it with the hood up as while the belt was being broken in. Even looking over the fan to check the belt while it was at idle. Please let them not be a flex fan. Last edited by texanidiot25; 02-07-2007 at 01:34 AM.

02-07-2007, 01:09 AM	#39
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,859	Re: Flex Fan Disaster They don`t go all at once.But,should be inspected frequently for cracks. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

02-07-2007, 03:12 AM	#40
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Re: Flex Fan Disaster Sucks to be your hood, but as has been said it could have been a lot worse. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"



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02-07-2007, 03:35 AM	#41
bigblockorange Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: central pa Posts: 428	Re: Flex Fan Disaster been there done that wish I could have tolded you before it happened to you.

02-07-2007, 04:04 AM	#42
watahyahknow Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: the netherlands europe Posts: 4,335	Re: Flex Fan Disaster i've seen pics in hot rod magazine once from a disintergrated vibrationdamper they warned about those too the type with the rubber centre and a castiron ring around that __________________ 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

02-07-2007, 06:20 AM	#43
70LongbedC20 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: France Posts: 53	Re: Flex Fan Disaster Oh geez, this has got me thinking. I have a solid coupler on the waterpump pulley to the fan and I wanted to replace it with a stock thermostatic unit. I don't know if the fan itself is stock, or if it is an aftermarket flexfan. The truck I just got came out of Texas so I guess they needed the extra cooling, but I don't. Anyone have an idea where I can get a factory coupler and thermostatic clutch? Good that didn't happen to me on the Autobahn coming down from Hamburg. (I pushed the engine a couple of times to see what she could do)

02-07-2007, 06:37 AM	#44
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Re: Flex Fan Disaster A spacer (extension) for a fan will to the same thing. I added one to my fan one time to get it closer to the shroud. It threw the whole fan off. Beware.

02-07-2007, 07:28 AM	#45
70LongbedC20 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: France Posts: 53	Re: Flex Fan Disaster Would someone look at this catalog page for me? Looks here like Number 5 (fan clutch, upper left) serves as both the coupler and the clutch. Is that right? I believe on my Chevelle you could unbolt the clutch from the coupler. Is it different on the trucks? http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/CB/0108.asp

02-07-2007, 07:53 AM	#46
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,859	Re: Flex Fan Disaster It`s important to inspect all rotating parts for fatigue and alignment when under the hood.A belt could break and whip you good if your in the wrong place at the wrong time.A rigid fan could fatigue and loose a piece(not as likely as a flex-fan).All spinning fans are dangerous. I`m just trying to make everyone realize there`s more to underhood safety,or danger,than flex-fans.I have used them,they work great,I keep an eye on them,and don`t run when I see one.Just let this remind us to use care when near a running engine,there are no garauntees. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

02-07-2007, 11:54 AM	#47
crawdadjr New Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Jax Fl Posts: 11	Re: Flex Fan Disaster Same thing on a 69 Chevelle turning 7500 RPMs at the 1/8 mile point.......Thought the engine blew the way the blades went thru both fenders and the hood! Steam everywhere from shredding the radiator and hoses! __________________ 71 C10 SWB 350, PS, PB, 700R4 02 HD Fat Boy 03 HD Road King

01-16-2013, 01:11 AM	#48
LostMy65 But Found Her 25yrs Later! Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Oregon City, Oregon Posts: 10,525	Re: Flex Fan Disaster I was just searching for threads on the danger of flex fans. This is just one of the many many threads warning of the danger. If you have one, throw it away, don't even try to sell it lest someone gets hurt. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650 66 C20 Service Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035

01-16-2013, 01:16 AM	#49
jrdv Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: new mexico Posts: 948	Re: Flex Fan Disaster What everyone needs to understand...all after market parts have a potential for destruction....OEM included. I have run a flex fan on my 71 swb for over 14 years and 70,000 miles. Am I lucky, maybe.... My opinion, run what works. 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, 01:25 AM	#50
LostMy65 But Found Her 25yrs Later! Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Oregon City, Oregon Posts: 10,525	Re: Flex Fan Disaster Sure too many horror stories to risk it. In every thread with the many posts warning of the danger, you'll find a couple who say they have never had a problem. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650 66 C20 Service Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035

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