Fan Clutch
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 232
Likes: 41
From: Simpsonville SC
Fan Clutch
Fan clutch question, I suspect mine is sticking on my 78 L-82. How much should the fan spin when the engine is cold vs. hot? When cold, I can give the fan a spin and it only turns about a 1/4 of a turn or so. When I give it a spin hot, it only turns 1/8th. of a turn. I thought there would be more of a noticeable difference between hot vs. cold.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I'm not for sure but it should spin fairly easily when disengaged. When hot it should not spin freely so that's good, but I think that shaft might be stuck. Remove the fan, and get it into a bench vice. There is a spring in the center of that clutch. Make note of it's position and orientation and pop it out using a flathead screwdriver and a pair of needle nose pliers. It might fight you a little bit so be gentle and stick with it.
Once you have it out, clean the spring and set it aside. Now, the shaft will have a slot so a small screw driver will fit in it just fine. I spray a tad of WD40 at the shaft base and try to turn the shaft back and forth. It doesn't turn very far but you should feel two distinct positions. One will disengage it and one will engage it.
If it's stuck, you'll feel it give, and it should get easier. If it's already easy to turn, then the shaft is not your problem and you have something gumming up the inside and it may need to be replaced.
Once you have it out, clean the spring and set it aside. Now, the shaft will have a slot so a small screw driver will fit in it just fine. I spray a tad of WD40 at the shaft base and try to turn the shaft back and forth. It doesn't turn very far but you should feel two distinct positions. One will disengage it and one will engage it.
If it's stuck, you'll feel it give, and it should get easier. If it's already easy to turn, then the shaft is not your problem and you have something gumming up the inside and it may need to be replaced.
