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Re: Radiator Fan Clutch

To: <bricklin@autox.team.net>
Subject: Re: Radiator Fan Clutch
From: "Mike and Candy Joehrendt" <Joehrend@bellsouth.net>
Date: Mon, 10 Jun 2002 11:44:04 -0400
Could there be a problem with the fan breaking at high engine RPM without a
clutch to slip?  One of my fan blades came off ( with the original clutch
setup ) - fortunately, it only destroyed the fan shroud and did not get through
to the hood.
Mike


> In my opinion the brick should not have a fan clutch. They work to save
> power and fuel mileage at the expense of cooling. For most cars this is an
> advantage but in the cooling challenged brick you need all the airflow you
> can get. The fan clutches start to slip about 2500 rpm and go into full
> coast a bit higher, this fine for most cars with big grille openings with
> good airflow at speed. the brick doesn't fall into this category so a fan
> clutch should be avoided. flex fans work along the same line as they flatten
> out at higher rpm thus creating less draw. I guess the ideal thing would be
> to use an adapter hub that replaces the clutch. The only thing is I've only
> seen one and the made it himself. the howl of the fan at speed might be a
> bit annoying but so is overheating.
>  I replaced the thermal clutch on my old motorhome last year and it lowered
> the temps to a comfortable level for a while but they have started to creep
> back up again. I paid $55 for a good brand name clutch and it only lasted a
> year (10,000 miles). the MH suffers from poor aerodynamic design like the
> brick, only instead of a too small opening it just has so much frontal area
> the all the air gets swept to sides before the grille gets to catch enough.
> Rick
>
> > 1) Which is better, a thermal clutch or a regular clutch?
> > 2) Does anyone make a 17 in. regular fan?  All I can find is 18 in.  The
> one
> > listed on the parts xref is a Flexalite.  From what I understand this is a
> > flex fan, which I don't want.

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