clutch fan?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

PureChevy · 07-10-2003, 09:49 AM

My truck is an A/C truck but the motor in it has a straight fan. I was told that it would be best to have a clutch fan. Can anybody enlighten me. Where can i buy one and what is the part number??

thanks
Will

guitarman · 07-10-2003, 10:25 AM

Go to Auto Zone or a Junk Yard and get one. Yes you need it also it will improve milage and make your water pump last longer. I dont have a part number but just get one that is the same size as yours. I picked one up for one of my vehicles and it turned out to be for a Chrysler product and I've got all Chevys. The fan didn't know. LOL

PureChevy · 07-10-2003, 10:55 AM

how much will one cost?

tom hand · 07-10-2003, 11:27 AM

You will most likely have to go to a junkyard to get the fan itself...tha clutch is avalible at any parts store if the one from the junkyard is bad. Don't limit yourself to looking at 67-72 trucks...just about anything GM with a V8 could be made to work with the correct clutch...just make sure it will fit in your shroud

**Stocker** · 07-10-2003, 08:13 PM

Yup - I've bought complete units at junkyards - as Tom says, just make sure it fits. Also, the shaft should be a snug fit, and there should be resistance to rotating - kind of gooey, like it's filled with molasses!

GasHog396 · 07-11-2003, 05:27 PM

Another option that worked really good for me is electric fans. This option will cost a few more $$$, but will move way more air than the stock fan, increase water pump life, speed warm up in cold weather (the fans won't come on until a predetermined temp has been reached) and increase mileage (marginally). Having A/C, you can also hook them up to come on whenever the A/C is turned on. I did this to my p/u using a dual fan '94 Firebird set. I found it at the local U-pull junk yard for $30 (just remember to grab the electrical connectors from the harness and maybe one or two of the relays). I fabbed up some mounting brackets and scored a couple of adjustable thermo switches with relays so I can control the fans independently of each other. With a 180 degree thermostat, I have one coming on at 185 and the other at 195. When moving, the fans disengage as the temp drops to the level of the thermostat. I haven't had any cooling problems with my 396 even with the A/C running and in the hottest of Texas weather. Just more food for thought.

Longhorn Man · 07-11-2003, 06:34 PM

The electric fans are one route, but personally I wouldn't want to trust my engine to them.
Over the years, I have seen many many people (myself included once) that had no idea there electric fan was dead. When the fan dies, or the relay melts, or a ground wire comes loose, you end up blowing a head gasket.
Also, the electric fans hinder cooling a bit on the freeway, but I doubt it is measurable in reality.
I just wanted to give the counter point on the electric fans.
IMO...the best set up is a good non-flex fan (including the factory flex fans that were recalled a loooong time ago) with a thermostatic fan clutch. (you can ID it by seeing a coiling spring in the center on the front of the clutch). All mounted properly in a solid shroud.
99% of the time if that don't do the trick, you either hav a problem, or undersized cooling parts for your engine/performance level.
With that said, I have installed an electric fan as an assistant to the engine fan on my caddy powered truck. The Caddy engines are know to be hot headed and since I still have no rad, I'll probably get stuck with what ever crusty ass 2 or 3 core I can get my hands on for now. I wired it up to the sensors on the heads which were used for a shut off feature once overheated. (not into the coolant passage, just into the metal on the head) I also wired it up to a toggle under the dash All this is through a relay and fused too.

crazy longhorn · 07-11-2003, 08:35 PM

I weighed the pros & cons.....I am running elect fans. Put those ponies to the pavement! From a 18" dia plastic fan , to elect.....you can FEEL the difference! you need good gauges, & watch them closely. i do agree that the stock setup is more "trouble free".......but I want every last pony that sb makes on the pavement(greedy,right!) i have run BB's , & after that, the mind never stops turning

Good luck,crazyL

PureChevy · 07-12-2003, 12:02 AM

can i buy the fan and fan clutch aftermarket or do i need to find a junk yard?

Longhorn Man · 07-12-2003, 12:54 AM

You can probably get a new fan...might be a dealer item, that means it'll cost 5 times what it is worth.

07-10-2003, 09:49 AM	#1
PureChevy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Hickory, North Carolina Posts: 340	clutch fan?? My truck is an A/C truck but the motor in it has a straight fan. I was told that it would be best to have a clutch fan. Can anybody enlighten me. Where can i buy one and what is the part number?? thanks Will

07-10-2003, 10:25 AM	#2
guitarman Do it well or don't do it Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Georgia Posts: 457	Go to Auto Zone or a Junk Yard and get one. Yes you need it also it will improve milage and make your water pump last longer. I dont have a part number but just get one that is the same size as yours. I picked one up for one of my vehicles and it turned out to be for a Chrysler product and I've got all Chevys. The fan didn't know. LOL __________________ Try to be the person your dog thinks you are. Excellent paint and body site: http://www.autobody101.com/ Visit my Web Site http://home.attbi.com/~agfosteriii

07-10-2003, 10:55 AM	#3
PureChevy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Hickory, North Carolina Posts: 340	how much will one cost? __________________ 1972 k10 4x4 LWB (Sold in 2005)

07-10-2003, 11:27 AM	#4
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	You will most likely have to go to a junkyard to get the fan itself...tha clutch is avalible at any parts store if the one from the junkyard is bad. Don't limit yourself to looking at 67-72 trucks...just about anything GM with a V8 could be made to work with the correct clutch...just make sure it will fit in your shroud __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS Last edited by tom hand; 07-10-2003 at 11:29 AM.

07-10-2003, 08:13 PM	#5
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,763	Yup - I've bought complete units at junkyards - as Tom says, just make sure it fits. Also, the shaft should be a snug fit, and there should be resistance to rotating - kind of gooey, like it's filled with molasses! __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

07-11-2003, 05:27 PM	#6
GasHog396 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ponder, TX Posts: 33	Another option that worked really good for me is electric fans. This option will cost a few more $$$, but will move way more air than the stock fan, increase water pump life, speed warm up in cold weather (the fans won't come on until a predetermined temp has been reached) and increase mileage (marginally). Having A/C, you can also hook them up to come on whenever the A/C is turned on. I did this to my p/u using a dual fan '94 Firebird set. I found it at the local U-pull junk yard for $30 (just remember to grab the electrical connectors from the harness and maybe one or two of the relays). I fabbed up some mounting brackets and scored a couple of adjustable thermo switches with relays so I can control the fans independently of each other. With a 180 degree thermostat, I have one coming on at 185 and the other at 195. When moving, the fans disengage as the temp drops to the level of the thermostat. I haven't had any cooling problems with my 396 even with the A/C running and in the hottest of Texas weather. Just more food for thought.

07-11-2003, 06:34 PM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	The electric fans are one route, but personally I wouldn't want to trust my engine to them. Over the years, I have seen many many people (myself included once) that had no idea there electric fan was dead. When the fan dies, or the relay melts, or a ground wire comes loose, you end up blowing a head gasket. Also, the electric fans hinder cooling a bit on the freeway, but I doubt it is measurable in reality. I just wanted to give the counter point on the electric fans. IMO...the best set up is a good non-flex fan (including the factory flex fans that were recalled a loooong time ago) with a thermostatic fan clutch. (you can ID it by seeing a coiling spring in the center on the front of the clutch). All mounted properly in a solid shroud. 99% of the time if that don't do the trick, you either hav a problem, or undersized cooling parts for your engine/performance level. With that said, I have installed an electric fan as an assistant to the engine fan on my caddy powered truck. The Caddy engines are know to be hot headed and since I still have no rad, I'll probably get stuck with what ever crusty ass 2 or 3 core I can get my hands on for now. I wired it up to the sensors on the heads which were used for a shut off feature once overheated. (not into the coolant passage, just into the metal on the head) I also wired it up to a toggle under the dash All this is through a relay and fused too.

07-11-2003, 08:35 PM	#8
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	I weighed the pros & cons.....I am running elect fans. Put those ponies to the pavement! From a 18" dia plastic fan , to elect.....you can FEEL the difference! you need good gauges, & watch them closely. i do agree that the stock setup is more "trouble free".......but I want every last pony that sb makes on the pavement(greedy,right!) i have run BB's , & after that, the mind never stops turning Good luck,crazyL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

07-12-2003, 12:02 AM	#9
PureChevy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Hickory, North Carolina Posts: 340	can i buy the fan and fan clutch aftermarket or do i need to find a junk yard? __________________ 1972 k10 4x4 LWB (Sold in 2005)

07-12-2003, 12:54 AM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	You can probably get a new fan...might be a dealer item, that means it'll cost 5 times what it is worth.



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