Fan Clutch - Is this bad?

[Bob Chadwick]

I took the fan clutch off as part of a water pump repair and placed it with the shaft that attaches to the water pump down. It sat in the very hot garage for about a week. I picked it up today and about a tablespoon of the liquid inside had drained out.

Do I now need to replace it?

Bob

 

[clar2001]

Yes the smallest amount of a leak can impair your clutch .

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Just be glad that it failed on your bench instead of in the middle of a traffic jam on a stinkin' hot day!

 

[Crickett]

That's an affirmative ghostrider. :J

 

[80convertible]

I would suggest loosing the clutch and installing an electric fan. I dyno tested my car with and without the fan clutch. I picked up 13hp and 17 lbs-feet of torque. I did not spend tons of money on the conversion...picked up a used 16" fan and made a mount from aluminum stock at home depot. With wiring harness the entire project cost about $100.00. Best money I have spent on the vette. Being that you are from Norcross.... GO DAWGS!!!

 

[Bob Chadwick]

If I wasn't three weeks from a major CAC Southeast outing I might go ahead and do this but I can't run the risk that the car won't be ready.

 

[sac001]

80 Convertible (the car I wish I had )

Do you have any pics or details about the conversion? My fan clutch is in need of replacement, and I was thinking electric, but no idea how to do it.

Where did you pick up the electrical, & what turns it on & off?

Steve

 

[Evolution1980]

Just get a flexfan. You'll get differing opinions of them here (mainly due to safety issues), but mine works flawlessly and looks good to boot! Simple repalcement and will have you up & running in no time.

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Got the new clutch fan for $60 and put it in on Friday with the new pump.

 

[80convertible]

sac001,

I got my fan used from a used race car parts store in nascar country...charlotte, nc. you can get a 16" electric fan from summit new for cheap. I pulled the radiator shroud ( which opens up my engine compartment) and made a mount for the fan using the factory shroud mounts. I then ordered a Painless Wiring electric fan wiring harness that came with a water temp sensor that installed right into the manifold. The install looks factory and brings my engine up to modern standards. As I previously posted, my car picked up considerable power on the dyno by removing the fan clutch...also probably picked up a little better gas mileage. Another by product is that it is safer to work on the engine while its on...no fan blades. The engine bay looks better and I don't have to mess with the fan shroud. My car has never...ever exceeded 185 degrees...even on the hottest days in charlotte, nc during the summer. The entire project cost me about $100.00. Good luck either way.