Cooling Problems on 1998 E36, M44 engine

[didospear]

I have an E36 M44 3 series sedan. It started boiling and temperature went straight to red. I switched off and let it cool and blew it (coolant system). Then it was fine driving till it rose temperature again when standing and this time blew one of the pipes (hose) at the back of the head cylinder.

My take on this after assessment was that the fan (electric) stopped working.

Questions.
1. Is it OK to remove the electric fan and put on the viscous fan?
2. If yes, will it last longer than the electric which dies whenever it wants to (how durable is it).
3. will the viscous fan affect performance?
4. Is it necessary to put also the "cowling" (I am told it helps guide the air but not easily found..... need order from BMW.
5. If it burst the pipe like it did, does it mean it hurt the head/head gasket?

I did start the car afterwards when cooled and it idles and drive a little (because I did not want to drive till temp is very high again... was just testing if it come on again)

Dido