Which Fan Clutch?

[photovette]

I have a 1977 that came equipped with an L-48, a/c, and auto.

Do I have a Heavy Duty radiator? I'm not sure if I do or not--it's not listed one way or the other on the dealer invoice.

However, the radiator support appears to be an early '76 radiator support and it came equipped with a 4-core radiator of '76E design. I ordered a '77 radiator to replace it a year ago and it wouldn't fit--so I guess GM had a few supports/radiators left over from '76 and stuck it in my car or it's the HD radiator???

Can anyone explain what the difference is between fan clutches and why? And what, ideally, should go into my car?

I don't plan to switch to electric fans--I ran'em for a year than ditched them because of the high underhood temperatures using them produces.

I tried a flex fan for three months until it exploded on the highway sending fan blades through the fan shroud and various belts and hoses--it was an admitted factory defect which really scared me off flex fans.

Eckler's lists 3 different fan clutches for a '77:

http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?pf%5Fid=23045&dept%5Fid=1252&mscssid=A2AN3KLCDGKP8HJ2JX066KFPM613ACW5

http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?pf%5Fid=23046&dept%5Fid=1252&mscssid=A2AN3KLCDGKP8HJ2JX066KFPM613ACW5

http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?pf%5Fid=23047&dept%5Fid=1252&mscssid=A2AN3KLCDGKP8HJ2JX066KFPM613ACW5

 

[bradfordsvettes]

I believe you could use any of those my choice would be the second one . you may get slightly more fan noise but you would probably get better cooling at lower speeds where you need it .it is the heavy duty option . depends if you want originality or better cooling only my two cents Steve

 

[Jack]

Hayden Imperial fan clutches

Educate yourself by going to Hayden's site www.haydenauto.com

You can download their catalog with ALL specs ... site also has sections on how the different fan clutch types work and their rates of efficiency ... Hayden makes alotta fan clutches (including Imperial brand) ... maybe even the ones Eckler's sells.
JACK:gap

 

[lucky76]

What is the link for?

I have a 1977 that came equipped with an L-48, a/c, and auto.

Do I have a Heavy Duty radiator? I'm not sure if I do or not--it's not listed one way or the other on the dealer invoice.

However, the radiator support appears to be an early '76 radiator support and it came equipped with a 4-core radiator of '76E design. I ordered a '77 radiator to replace it a year ago and it wouldn't fit--so I guess GM had a few supports/radiators left over from '76 and stuck it in my car or it's the HD radiator???

Can anyone explain what the difference is between fan clutches and why? And what, ideally, should go into my car?

I don't plan to switch to electric fans--I ran'em for a year than ditched them because of the high underhood temperatures using them produces.

I tried a flex fan for three months until it exploded on the highway sending fan blades through the fan shroud and various belts and hoses--it was an admitted factory defect which really scared me off flex fans.

Eckler's lists 3 different fan clutches for a '77:

http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?pf%5Fid=23045&dept%5Fid=1252&mscssid=A2AN3KLCDGKP8HJ2JX066KFPM613ACW5

http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?pf%5Fid=23046&dept%5Fid=1252&mscssid=A2AN3KLCDGKP8HJ2JX066KFPM613ACW5

http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?pf%5Fid=23047&dept%5Fid=1252&mscssid=A2AN3KLCDGKP8HJ2JX066KFPM613ACW5

What is the purpose for the link at the end of your message:
NOVA http://media.knowitallvideo.com/vid...05069766454.wmv
Is this porn or what? When I click on it I get a very young Blonde Girl standing in front of an ice cream store looking around and then her in the woods saying something. What does this have to do with Corvettes or fan clutches?

 

[photovette]

What purpose does anybody's signature have? She sure has a lot of clothes on for porn...

 

[lucky76]

So your signature is a Blonde saying something in the woods!
Weird!

 

[craig32]

Guys, Guys! I don't have a signature or a life! (just a Corvette) Is there a reason for a clutch fan, that they don't use the metal 4 bladers anymore? I agree with the fiberglass flex fans, I never liked the looks of those things. Honestly, until a few months ago when I bought this car, I hadn't been under the hood of a car in 15 years - I was finally rich enough to buy new ones. Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Craig

Hey, maybe I do have a signature. . .

 

[photovette]

It was a stainless steel flex fan that exploded...


On a '77 with a/c, the fan clutch engages at 190F.

On a '77 with no a/c, the fan clutch engages at 170F.

Both cars came with 195F coolant thermostats.

But my car has a 180F thermostat.

So when do I want the fan to engage? What temp? I've looked all over the net and I don't see the reasoning.



Here's something interesting--a fan clutch that works like an a/c compressor clutch. Seems ideal; turns on like electric fans, produces air volume like a fixed fan.

http://truckparts-specialists.com/catalog/cyclone-power-fan/

 

[bradfordsvettes]

the clutch is for noise reduction and fuel economy and just might save a finger or two :L Steve

 

[rponfick]

I got one that looks like your No. 2 at Checkers this week for $52.00. It was listed for my '81 Chev pickup with HD cooling.

 

[Paranoid]

I have one (fan clutch)for sale on Ebay right now.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7951320721&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT