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Flex-fan & fan shroud setup for '83-'89 starquests


Josh '88
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I recently replaced my stock electric fans with a flex-fan setup on my '88 Quest. I'm so pleased with it's performance that I want to let everyone else know how I performed the job. This will work with any of the '83-'89 Starquests.

 

PARTS NEEDED:

 

-Flex Fan (I used a 17 inch metal fan rated at 6000rpms, 17 inch is the largest you can use on a Starquest, they also make plastic flex fans if you're looking for a lightweight fan, cost was $28 at Advance Auto)

 

-Fan Spacer (I used a 2 inch spacer, you have to use a fan spacer to prevent the flex fan from touching the motor,  2 inch is the largest to use or the flex fan will touch the radiator, DO NOT use the bolts that come with the spacer, cost was $9 at Advance Auto)

 

-4 water pump bolts (you need these in order to bolt the flex fan to the water pump, I used bolts that were 2 3/4 inches long, the bolt head is 1/4 inch and the threaded part of the bolt is 2 1/2 inches long, take a bolt off the water pump pulley and take it to an auto part store so they can match the threads, cost was $1 at a local auto part store)

 

-radiator fan shroud (I used a shroud that came off a non-intercooled Starquest, it bolts up perfectly to the '88 radiator with 0 modifications, it's the only shroud that will work unless you fabricate your own, cost was $40 shipping included from David Crane's Auto Parts in GA, they specialize in Starquests and have 60 of them in their salvage yard)

 

***If your Quest is a non-intercooled one, you don't have to purchase a radiator fan shroud. You car is equipped with one already.

 

HOW TO INSTALL:

 

1) remove clutch fan (for non-intercooled cars) or 2 electric radiator fans (for intercooled cars) and discard (you won't need these fan anymore)

2) drain radiator of antifreeze coolant

3) remove radiator from car (you have to in order to install the flex fan and spacer)

4) remove the water pump/alternator belt

5) remove 4 bolts that hold water pump pulley to water pump and discard (you won't need those bolts anymore)

6) install flex fan and spacer onto water pump and pulley using your 4 new bolts and washers that come with fan spacer (you install the spacer on the water pump pulley and install the flex fan on the spacer)

7) install water pump/alternator belt and adjust

8) put radiator back in car

9) install radiator fan shroud (the shroud is 2 pieces, a top half and a lower half, install the lower half first, then install the top half, then you bolt the top half to the lower half, you'll know what I mean when you do it)

10) fill radiator with antifreeze coolant

 

 

PROS of new setup:

 

The flex fan provides much more airflow than the clutch fan and electric fans. My water temp reads 1/4 on the gauge max, compared to 5/8 on the gauge max with the clutch fan or electric fans. You never have to worry about overheating again. There's no maintenance to do at all. You don't have to worry about replacing any of the parts like you would an electric fan setup.  Since your electric fans are gone, your alternator don't have to work as hard. The flex fan weighs 1/2 pound less than the clutch fan, so that's less wear on the water pump bearing.

 

CONS of new setup:

 

Since the motor operates the fan, you lose horsepower. I haven't been able to notice any loss. The flex fan will wear out the water pump bearing more than with the electric fans. You have to use an adjustable wrench to turn the crankshaft pulley bolt instead of using a 1/2 inch wrench and socket. This is difficult when adjusting mechanical valves.

 

CONCLUSION:

 

I believe this is an outstanding mod to do for the money. For less than $80, you never have to worry about overheating in traffic or spending extra money keeping your electric fans running. This is perfect for those that drive their cars daily and are not that picky about making the most horsepower out of their cars. For myself, I'd rather sacrifice a few horsepower than to be stranded due to a cracked head or blown head gasket.

 

If anyone has questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at dodgedakota64@yahoo.com .

 

Joshua Meeks

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The water temp guage will still be at 1/4, even while idling after a long drive. I was going up a mountain yesterday in my Quest. There are sharp curves and takes about 5 minutes to get to the top. I was going as fast as I could up the mountain (60mph in some places) to see what my water temp would read. The highest it read was 3/8 on the gauge. Once I was at the top, my water temp went down to 1/4 in

2-3 minutes. That's pretty darn good. I removed the A/C from my Quest, but I would say that the highest the water temp gauge would read with the A/C on would be 1/2.

 

Joshua Meeks

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i have a clutch fan at the moment(88 quest) and my temp NEVER passes 1/2 with the a/c running,even in heavy rush hour traffic.i dont use this car as a daily driver but i like to keep it in top shape.i may change to a flex fan just to see if it  makes any difference.
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  • 2 weeks later...
I got my clutch fan and a shroud from an 84 and wow what a difference it makes! I was driving around with the temp guage getting to just about 1/8th of an inch of the red line at the top. After I got the fan on the guage would barely read above the lowest warm mark. I was happy for the heat savings, but I noticed that my car ran with a little less power. so I got a new thermostat, 180 degree of course, and took out the old. I found that it was the stock one and you could push it open with your pinky finger. Now my car warms up to the correct temp, and takes less that 20 minutes to warm up! wow, the incredible difference running in the correct temps makes. ;)
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  • 6 months later...
i scored a clutch fan from a d-50 and i located a shroud today. Hopefully the d50 fan isn't to big. going to install it this weekend. Been raining alot in portland so it has been kinda hard to complete the finalization of my rebuild with the car in the driveway.
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ALANFROMPDX:

 

I used a clutch fan from a D-50 on my Quest before I bought a flex-fan. The clutch fan was as effective as the 2 stock electric fans (1/2 on the gauge max). For best results, buy a flex-fan. My gauge only reads 1/4 max normally (3/8 on hot days or when going uphill for long periods of time).

 

Josh

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I DID MY CONVERSION WITHOUT REMOVING THE RAD. I PUT THE LOWER SHROUD ON,THEN THE FAN AND LASTLY THE UPPER SHROUD.IT WAS A LITTLE TIGHT BUT IT DIDNT TAKE ME THAT LONG.
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  • 2 weeks later...

i should know soon how things are working, i installed my clutch fan from a d50 and a conquest shroud from a flatsider. Went to fire up my 86 conquest and found a very soft clutch pedal. So after i bleed it this weekend i should have a full report.

I thought i was the only one in the world that loved these cars. you do not see them much. after getting hosed by everyone under the sun to get my timing chain fixed, i decided to rebuild the motor since i was into it. Dealer hit me for 600 to do the timing chain. yeah

Towed it home and hit the internet, and i am proud to own one and will for some time.

Alan

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hey everyone

i did this conversion also. i am very happy with the results. my engine never gets above 1/2 with the ac on. i live in NC and it gets hot here. i also am using the plastic flex fan which i got from summit fairly cheap. i used plastic because i dont thing our water pumps were made for the weight of a fan (someone told me that cause there is 2 different water pumps out there.). this is the best bang for the buck in cooling i dont worry any more. the only problem i have is it trows dirt everywhere because i do not have one of those skid plates. i would advise a skid plate if you do the mod you will see what i mean later. the little factory fan shroud doesnt cut it on the bottom. i only have the top now because of this. also my plastic fan is real loud it sounds like a truck but you can still hear my BOV workin so its all good. thanks and hope someone will fine this info useful.

later

randy

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  • 2 months later...
  • 2 months later...

ok, abrrevation of the parts

exactly what will I need?

where does the NA fan attach again? on the alternator?

..

has anyone tried this w/ an A/M rad? if so what kind?

I need reliability for daily driver...

..

thx in advance

Joe

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  • 4 weeks later...
  • 2 months later...

do not buy the flex fan with the black blades!!! you will know the one when you see it in the store!! they will break!! i have 1st hand knowledge of this!! if your going to get a good flex fan get the blue kind with solid blades.

if you can flex the fan with your fingures think about the force under 6k rpm.

and by the way DONT GO OVER 6K cuase it could go threw the hood!

 

im going to do this mod soon but i was wndering about he bearing aswell. but i would never think of installing a plastic of flimsey set of tin blades on there!!

REMEMBER THE BLUE FAN IS THE ONE YOU WANT!!!

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  • 3 months later...
Guest Paul87Quest
1000's of trouble free (not over half the gauge) miles with a flatsider clutch fan set up in my 87....satisfied customer for over a year.  ;D
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  • 1 month later...
Well Josh,  I put this as my number 1 best mod I have done for my Quest. I got my quest in 99 not knowing a thing about these cars. I have replace countless different fans and when I installed the 3 rd head on this beast I read your post and printed it out. I have it exactly as you describe in your post.  I run a 180 thermostat and with the Flex fan set up I do not go over1/3 on the temp. guage in 90 degree weather with the a/c on in stop and go traffic.  Thanks for the perfect mod.  TMeitz
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Got a ?. How loud is the fan when you rev it up. I had a flex fan on my camaro and all I could hear was the stupid fan, when I reved it up even with a v8 with straight pipes and glass packs. I love the idea of the better cooling but not if thats all you hear.
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its a very loud mod. you will be happy with the cooling that it will give you but like i said pretty loud around 4-6 grand. i have this mod but think i will go with the daul electric fans from summitt. thats just my 2cents. ::)
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TMeitz:

 

I'm glad to hear the great results! The flex-fan mod is my number 1 mod in terms of reliability. If I ever purchase another Starquest, I'd yank those electric fans out in a heartbeat!

 

I could hear the flex-fan when I still had my stock exhaust. Now that my exhaust is louder, I do not hear the flex fan at all.

 

Here's a pic of my water temp gauge at its maximum temperature:

 

 

Josh

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I have Heron's 3 inch Exhaust so I don't hear the flex fan at all.( CAUTION ) I know if you stand in front of my car it will suck you in.  Also A/C is colder in stop and go traffic.  I would follow Josh's reconmendations to the Tee. You won't be sorry. Josh, My guage reads a little higher at a steady 1/3 and no higher.  TMeitz
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