Fan Blade Disintegrated at 4,000RPM

[71TexasBoss]

Over the weekend I was doing some "spirited" driving in my Boss 351. On a strong launch from a red light as I was shifting to 2nd at 4,000RPM there was a loud pop under the hood I initially thought was a backfire. When I raised the hood later I saw a chunk of my D1ZE-8146-AA Boss fan shroud was missing. Closer inspection found one of the blades had split in half horizontally. The fan was an original and I assume a half-century old part couldn't take the stress.

So now I'm going to replace the stock fan with an aftermarket for safety and reliability. Any suggestions for an aftermarket HD cooling fan that is belt driven for a 351 Cleveland?

Thanks!

 

[Stanglover]

It looks like it might have been a flex fan. If it was, you're lucky a) you head wasn't under the hood and b) it didn't go right through the hood.
There have been people get killed by those fans. I've posted many times on how dangerous they are and information on a recall Ford did on flex fans. If it lasted 53 years, I'm surprised it didn't blow before. I used to work where they were made and I've personally seen the damage they can do WHEN they blow up on a test rig, like a blade buried into 4" of oak. Actually, I didn't know they put flex fans on 71 Mustangs, let alone a Boss. I can ask a friend who owns a Boss what is on his car.
If you're not that worried about being authentic, I might suggest a Hayden 2710 fan clutch and Derale 17118 18" fan

 

[Sheriff41]

I have the Hayden-Derale setup @Stanglover mentions and it's been working great for me in our Texas summer heat.

 

[71TexasBoss]

Thanks for the fan recommendations. I'm more concerned at this point about safety and reliability instead of factory correctness. I'm lucky the errant blade didn't take out my hard-to-find Boss radiator.

 

[Stanglover]

Thanks for the fan recommendations. I'm more concerned at this point about safety and reliability instead of factory correctness. I'm lucky the errant blade didn't take out my hard-to-find Boss radiator.

Just out of curiosity, what is the difference between a Boss radiator and a standard 351C rad. Are there more cores, 3 instead of 2?

Now you also need to source a good shroud.

 

[Sheriff41]

Thanks for the fan recommendations. I'm more concerned at this point about safety and reliability instead of factory correctness. I'm lucky the errant blade didn't take out my hard-to-find Boss radiator.

Yep, you're fortunate you didn't have any serious damage.

 

[Cleveland Crush]

Here's another vote for the above mentioned fan/clutch setup. Been running this same equipment for many years on mine.
PS-if interested this is what Ford issued in 1981 concerning the original early 1970's flex fans: