fan clutch
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
You wasted money and bought a bad clutch. That clutch can be rebuilt, but it'll cost quite a bit more than a replacement unit from a parts store.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 8
From: Illinois
I pulled the fan and clutch off to remove the radiator and radiator support. How can you tell if the fan clutch is bad and how hard is it to rebuild. I have the original and don't want a replacement. Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
It's actually easier to tell if it's bad when it's installed. With the engine running and hot, turn off the ignition, and watch how many times the fan spins after the engine if off. If it's more than one or two full turns then the fan clutch is bad.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
the only time I hear of someone rebuilding a fan clutch is the NCRS guys that need the original unit with the correct markings, etc for judging and the guy that does most of the fan clutch rebuilds is somewhere like a 9-12 month backlog if not longer.
Unless you REALLY need that original fan clutch for judging popints just go buy a replacement unit since as already mentioned it's going to cost more to rebuild the original than what a replacement repro unit will cost.
When the fan clutch on my '65 went i stuck it on the shelf in the basement to save it and someday I MIGHT get it rebuilt if I choose to and only because my car has so many of the correct original parts so I wanted to save this one but meanwhile I got a "correct" replacement repro unit from Paragon. Even that was more expensive than I needed to spend and you can get a unit from the local parts store like NAPA or Autozone for around $40
Unless you REALLY need that original fan clutch for judging popints just go buy a replacement unit since as already mentioned it's going to cost more to rebuild the original than what a replacement repro unit will cost.
When the fan clutch on my '65 went i stuck it on the shelf in the basement to save it and someday I MIGHT get it rebuilt if I choose to and only because my car has so many of the correct original parts so I wanted to save this one but meanwhile I got a "correct" replacement repro unit from Paragon. Even that was more expensive than I needed to spend and you can get a unit from the local parts store like NAPA or Autozone for around $40
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Pearl City Hawaii
I've rebuilt some Toyota ones back in the day. I took apart the clutch housing and installed new gel(a very thick substance),then bolted it back up. I'm not sure how the GM ones work, as I've never rebuilt one.
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 5
From: Minnesota
I'm with BarryK on this one. Put it in a box and get a new one. Rihwoods has done some work on the proper one which I believe has an AX in the number but I've been running with a regular heavy duty aftermarket clutch for a couple of years with no problems.
