The Derale 17517 is a 17-inch belt-driven rigid race fan built with a lightweight aluminum blade and designed for standard (clockwise) rotation. Unlike a flex fan, a rigid race fan keeps its blade pitch fixed, so it moves maximum air across the full engine RPM range, making it a good choice for high-output and racing applications where consistent airflow matters more than fuel economy or noise. It mounts to a standard belt-driven fan hub or spacer.
Specifications:
- Type: belt-driven rigid race fan
- Diameter: 17"
- Rotation: standard (clockwise)
- Blade material: aluminum
- Design: fixed-pitch rigid blade
- Application: universal, performance and racing engines
- Part number: 17517
FAQ
What is the Derale 17517?
It is a 17-inch belt-driven rigid race fan with an aluminum blade, built for standard clockwise rotation. It bolts to a mechanical fan hub or spacer.
What does standard rotation mean?
Standard rotation means the fan turns clockwise when viewed from the front, matching engines with a standard-rotation water pump.
How is a rigid race fan different from a flex fan?
A rigid race fan has a fixed blade pitch that does not flatten at higher RPM, so it continues to move a high volume of air across the full RPM range. A flex fan flattens its blades at speed to reduce drag and noise.
Is it universal?
Yes. The 17517 is a universal belt-driven fan and is not specific to any one vehicle. Confirm fan diameter clearance and that your engine uses standard-rotation accessories before fitting.
