Fan clutch went--
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 40,350
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St. Jude Donor '14
Fan clutch went--
This morning i started it up with a a heck of an instant noise and then nothing. Popped the hood with the engine still running and noticed the fan not spinning so I assume this is the problem
I am not "shop setup" choice but I have good mechanical skills. Replaced the fuel pimp and a few other things. Most stuff ihave a mechanic do.
Is replacing this thing a pita or not a big deal?
82-350ci
I am not "shop setup" choice but I have good mechanical skills. Replaced the fuel pimp and a few other things. Most stuff ihave a mechanic do.
Is replacing this thing a pita or not a big deal?
82-350ci
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
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A bad clutch will not stop the fan from spinning. Best keep looking to see what's blocking it.
Race Director
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From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
Fan Clutch R&R
I had to take the fan and the fan shroud out as a unit in my 79 ! Not impossible, about a 2.5 hour job. It helps a lot if there are two of you easing the two pieces out. My brother in law helped with the taking out and easing the thing back in. Like mentioned above, great time to check that the water pump is OK as you have an excellent view of it with the fan and shroud is out of the way.
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From: Cooksville Maryland
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It takes about 45 minutes to get the fan out. Approach it from the passenger side. The trick is to unbolt it from the water pump after first backing off the fan belts. THere are studs holding it on and sometimes they come out with the nut. While it is out, check the operation of the electric fan on the radiator. I was really surprised to see one there. It is controlled by the sensor on the passenger side right above the starter. 2 simple wires. One is current *hot* so be careful. The fan comes on at 280-300. I just hooked up a car battery to a test lead and the fan came on. Paint the fan and clutch while you have it out. Grab the water pump shaft and, as mentioned, check for leaks and play. Replace all the belts while you have it out. You will be glad later. Really not that bad of a job.
It's spinning here but you can get the idea.
It's spinning here but you can get the idea.
Last edited by rdroe; Sep 13, 2011 at 06:30 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,148
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From: South Dakota
It takes about 45 minutes to get the fan out. Approach it from the passenger side. The trick is to unbolt it from the water pump after first backing off the fan belts. THere are studs holding it on and sometimes they come out with the nut. While it is out, check the operation of the electric fan on the radiator. I was really surprised to see one there. It is controlled by the sensor on the passenger side right above the starter. 2 simple wires. One is current *hot* so be careful. The fan comes on at 280-300. I just hooked up a car battery to a test lead and the fan came on. Paint the fan and clutch while you have it out. Grab the water pump shaft and, as mentioned, check for leaks and play. Replace all the belts while you have it out. You will be glad later. Really not that bad of a job.
It's spinning here but you can get the idea.
It's spinning here but you can get the idea.
I can't see why you would have to remove that PITA fan shroud to replace the clutch. It's simple enough.
Burning Brakes
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From: St. Louis MO
Pro
Joined: May 2011
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From: Cooksville Maryland
DC Area Events Coordinator
Fan Clutch
It does make sense, now that I think about the concept of the clutch fan, that there would be some sort of oil in it. I know that there is a temperature sensing coil on the outside that faces the radiator. The strange thing is, when I had mine all apart ... fan clutch separate from the fan, separate from the pulley, I never paid any attention to orientation, etc. I just treated it as another part on the bench. I cleaned it, painted it, did NOT handle it with care. Maybe I was lucky. Are they fragile?
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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From: Dayton, Ohio
Some of you are making a much bigger deal of changing a fan clutch than should be.
Here is what the 82 manual says:
Remove neg batt cable at battery.
Remove air cleaner intake duct.
Remove fan clutch to water pump hub attaching bolts or nuts,as applicable,and remove fan clutch assembly.
The factory R&R time is .6 hours.
Here is what the 82 manual says:
Remove neg batt cable at battery.
Remove air cleaner intake duct.
Remove fan clutch to water pump hub attaching bolts or nuts,as applicable,and remove fan clutch assembly.
The factory R&R time is .6 hours.
Le Mans Master
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From: Myrtle Beach SC
Burning Brakes
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From: South Dakota
Team Owner
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
...The factory R&R time is .6 hours...
Band-aid in place, I return to the shop somewhat comforted by the FCB I have removed from the fridge and brought with me -- I mean, geez, I was walking right past the fridge anyhoo, so why not? Right? Knuckle still stings a little. I remember hearing the wrench when it hit something, but I am not certain in which direction I threw it. My eyes were shut in pain at the time I launched it. And - day-umm- it was my favorite 1/2 too. Not the lousy one I've been threatening to throw away, but my favorite. Add half an hour to sit down and sip the FCB, some of it anyway, and see if I can see where the wrench landed.
Knuckle not stinging anymore, wrench showed up, but I still don't have the fan off.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Sep 14, 2011 at 04:06 PM.
