My 79 F150 currently has a flex fan on it. I really don't like flex fans, but it pulls a lot of air. I am thinking about ditching it in favor of a factory fan and fan clutch.
I could go with a Ford Taurus electric fan, but would rather not have to wire it or hassle with finding one in decent shape.
It hasn't overheated at all, but it will run hotter than I like at times.

My 79 F150 currently has a flex fan on it. I really don't like flex fans, but it pulls a lot of air. I am thinking about ditching it in favor of a factory fan and fan clutch.
I could go with a Ford Taurus electric fan, but would rather not have to wire it or hassle with finding one in decent shape.
It hasn't overheated at all, but it will run hotter than I like at times.

Did you have a question? Flex fans have no place on an offroad rig IMO...

Essentially the question is will a standard fan with clutch cool as well or better than the flex fan? Would I just be wasting my time going that route. I hate flex fans, but it really does pull a lot of air. A lot of guys have ended up going with the Taurus electric fans, they have 2 settings and pull a lot of air.
Right now my engine runs a little hotter than I would like, I am breaking in a new rebuild and expect more heat than normal at this time.
I hate flex fans, I think they really are dangerous.

A normal fan tends to out cool a flex fan.
Adding a clutch setup is a good idea, you just need to find one that works with your truck.
I don't think clutches were factory until the 80's.

i have a 77 with a 400 that has a clutch fan - it looks original - but - what engine is it ? if its a common 351 / 400 then find the same engine in a newer ( 80-85 ) f series and steal some parts -

and a electric fan isnt that hard to install - only a few wires if you use a switch, or a few more if you use a temp switch - id go with a factory clutch if i were you

It is a 400 that is reasonably built. I am also running the 460 radiator, which is larger. I need to find a new fan shroud as well. The one that is on there is a bit torn up.

I tried a flex fan, then a clutch fan, then pulled the little thermostat on it cause it still didnt keep it from getting hot (engine compartment completely sealed, and would heat soak)

where the hood meets the cab, i cut the flat spots out on the face of the cab where the cowl vents are..... i left a lip at the bottom so rain doesnt roll into the engine bay.....

threw a taurus fan on there and now i have a defroster...from the outside :smokin: it pushes all the air thru the radiator and out the cowl vents behind the hood.

works fugging AWESOME, and i had some overheating issues for a while... just cause of the all the mud shields i have going on.

I tried a flex fan, then a clutch fan, then pulled the little thermostat on it cause it still didnt keep it from getting hot (engine compartment completely sealed, and would heat soak)

where the hood meets the cab, i cut the flat spots out on the face of the cab where the cowl vents are..... i left a lip at the bottom so rain doesnt roll into the engine bay.....

threw a taurus fan on there and now i have a defroster...from the outside :smokin: it pushes all the air thru the radiator and out the cowl vents behind the hood.

works fugging AWESOME, and i had some overheating issues for a while... just cause of the all the mud shields i have going on.

Reliving the cowl does wonders to reduce underhood temps at slow speeds. If you only have a overheating problem on the freeway then reliving the cowl is a bad plan. At speeds you need the low pressure created under the vehicle to help draw air thru the radiator. Thats why all vehicles made today seal up the hood so well. Me? I open up the cowl for slow speed cooling.

i have no issues when driving down the road, as the ram air effect slamming into the radiator pushes the hot air out of the engine bay.

low pressure under the vehicle does jack shit to a truck going 60 down the road, lifted, with axles and suspension in the way :rolleyes:

especially having bed mat shields from the grill to the transfercase, and both fenders fully sealed.

I've got 2 78 Broncos, auto and a/c, originally 351M stockers, with clutch fans. My 79 F-250 with stock 400, standard, and no a/c has a stiffy. Just in case you needed a model to start the parts search.

yeah.....what they ALL said. I went with a taurus fan on my old 76. easy to wire. just get a temp switch from a taurus to go with it. I had to get an adapter to go into my engine(360) but it worked well.

UPDATE: I found a fan and clutch from a Lincoln with a 460 for free and installed it last night. I like the design and blade patern better than the flex fan. Temp wise it is running right in the middle of the gauge, but it is pretty cool here right now and I didn't have much time to drive it. Next time out I will drive it a little harder and make sure the clutch is locking up when hot.
Thanks for all the help.