VH delete ver.2.0 + Fixed Flex Fan install

flash7210 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 22, 2019 6:03 pm

EDIT:
Scroll down for pictures of a viscous heater delete that allows you to use your original fan pulley and engine driven fan. Also installed a flex fan to replace the clutched fan.

Who has tried the fixed flex fan mod?

I removed my engine driven fan many years ago.
Using only the electric fan in the grille.
Never had any problems with overheating in the summer.
Until now.

I’ve flushed the radiator.
Checked the thermostat.
Coolant flow is great.

So I figure that with all the hours I have running that fan, the motor must be worn out and just isn’t pushing enough air.
BTW, it runs good and cool at highway speeds.

So should I just replace the motor to the factory electric fan?
Should I go with a different type of electric fan, maybe a puller?
Or should I try the fixed flex fan mod?

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Sat Jun 22, 2019 11:27 pm

Flash,
A couple of years ago, I installed the GM 11 blade fan and the corresponding NAPA HD fan clutch for a GM heavy duty towing vehicle with a large V8 engine.
It works great in our very hot and humid southern heat 100+ days.
I was not having any overheating issues, but AC performance in stop and go town driving was pitiful even with electric fan running on high speed.
After installing the HD GM parts, AC performance in town was considerably improved.
Those 11 blade plastic fans moves a lot more air flow than the stock metal fan and weak fan clutch.

flash7210 · **Posted:** Sun Jun 23, 2019 5:41 pm

I think I’ve pretty much settled on the flex fan.
Sourced all the parts and it would be less than $100.

But now I have a doubt.

I inspected my fan pulley and the bearing seems a little rough.
Not horrible but I’m afraid it won’t last too long.
And replacements are getting hard to find.

Hmmm...

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sun Jun 23, 2019 6:23 pm

I did Kaps fixed flex fan mod ages ago. It worked fine. Comments a) a bit of fan drone in town most noticeable IIRC in the 35-45mph range; not horrible but "my" ears could hear it; b) no noticeable noise at highway speed unless you "really" paid attention; and c) a very slight tendency to drop indicated coolant temp from normal when you hit the first traffic light in town after a long highway run. No noticeable impact on mpg. Got rid of it at cost for no particular good reason and went with Hayden heavy duty fan clutch and nylon KJ gasser fan.

For what it's worth some have run with no fan (not sure I'd do that) and some have run with an electric fan replacement for mechanical fan (might be a good idea in lieu of having to replace the fan hub if bearing goes bad and assuming that bearing cannot be replaced).

rankom · **Posted:** Sun Jun 23, 2019 7:49 pm

in my case crd 06 purchased in 2013 with 100.000 m and now 125.000 m. did almost all the updates, i removed oem metal fan and installed plastic fan from v6 kj , it does ok but not so good like metal fan , because my electric fan cycles more often now with ac on , but it is ok this is just my spare car and i dont tow anything , , before with metal oem fan i dont see electric fan coming on at all .

flash7210 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 28, 2019 12:55 pm

Got the flex fan installed and a pulley bracket for viscous heater delete.

Before

After

flash7210 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 28, 2019 12:59 pm

flash7210 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 28, 2019 1:05 pm

Hayden 18 inch reverse rotation fan

Hayden 2 inch spacer

Flex a lite fan hub adapter

flash7210 · **Posted:** Wed Jul 03, 2019 1:26 pm

Flex fan works great. :BANANA:

I even pulled the fuse for the electric fan.
It can idle in traffic in 95+F heat with the AC on. Engine temp stays at a reasonable temperature and AC continues to blow cold.

Hopefully my fan bearing will continue to hold up.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Wed Jul 03, 2019 2:09 pm

flash7210 wrote:

Flex fan works great. :BANANA:

I even pulled the fuse for the electric fan.
It can idle in traffic in 95+F heat with the AC on. Engine temp stays at a reasonable temperature and AC continues to blow cold.
Hopefully my fan bearing will continue to hold up.

I totally agree on the fan bearing!
Nobody wants to pay 4 or 5 hundred dollars for a new one off ebay since all the major Mopar sites and most other supply sources have dried up and say it has been discontinued.
If this group does not come up a viable bearing replacement option, I guess we will all be forced to install a big electric sucker fan when our bearing goes out? :banghead:

Stan Wright · **Posted:** Tue Jul 16, 2019 2:57 am

flash7210 wrote:

Do you have a part number for the pulley and belt length? I've been thinking about doing something similar, but I was thinking about installing the pulley where the Allen head bolt is.

TKB4 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 16, 2019 3:30 am

I am sure Flash can help you with that but remember he has viscous heater delete also that will affect belt length etc.

flash7210 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 16, 2019 6:08 am

The pulley is Gates 36167.
And the belt is the stock factory length.

When mounted on the DIY bracket, the pulley sits in the same location as where the VH was.

Stan Wright · **Posted:** Wed Jul 17, 2019 12:59 am

flash7210 wrote:

The pulley is Gates 36167.
And the belt is the stock factory length.

When mounted on the DIY bracket, the pulley sits in the same location as where the VH was.

Thank you, sir!

mass-hole · **Posted:** Wed Jul 17, 2019 7:02 pm

I have had a flex fan for a couple years now. Works great and after the debacle with my brand new hayden clutch not working, i am not doing that again.

mass-hole · **Posted:** Wed Jul 17, 2019 7:04 pm

WWDiesel wrote:

flash7210 wrote:

Flex fan works great. :BANANA:

I even pulled the fuse for the electric fan.
It can idle in traffic in 95+F heat with the AC on. Engine temp stays at a reasonable temperature and AC continues to blow cold.
Hopefully my fan bearing will continue to hold up.

I totally agree on the fan bearing!
Nobody wants to pay 4 or 5 hundred dollars for a new one off ebay since all the major Mopar sites and most other supply sources have dried up and say it has been discontinued.
If this group does not come up a viable bearing replacement option, I guess we will all be forced to install a big electric sucker fan when our bearing goes out? :banghead:

Ive tried installing a Taurus fan, and it is exceptionally tight. I have custom radiator mounts on the top because i have the custom intercooler, but i dont know that it would fit without moving the radiator forward or shaving the threads off the fan pulley.

I wasnt about to shave the threads considering the cost of a new pulley in case the taurus fan didnt do the job.

VH delete ver.2.0 + Fixed Flex Fan install

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