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Removing fan

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Old Jul 17, 2014 | 10:41 AM
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Default Removing fan

What is the best way to remove the coolant/radiator fan with clutch, on a 74 Vette? I'd like to clean and paint it. Or does anyone know where I could possibly replace it with a chrome one. I can't seem to find one to buy. Or is the is something I need to be chrome. Thanks for any reply.
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Old Jul 17, 2014 | 10:55 AM
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Just take the four nuts and lock washers off that hold the thing on...that's it. It will come out from under the shroud from the top.

Myself, I would clean it up, paint it, and skip the chrome.
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Old Jul 17, 2014 | 01:55 PM
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Hi sd,
Remove the nut's and washers as B suggests…. but make sure you're removing the nut's that attach the fan to the fan clutch, not the nuts that attach the fan clutch to the water pump.
Taking the fan off the clutch will give room you need to maneuver the blades and slip it out of the shroud.
Regards,
Alan
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Old Jul 17, 2014 | 02:32 PM
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Originally Posted by sheepdawggerry
...What is the best way to remove the coolant/radiator fan with clutch...
Extremely carefully. Get in a hurry and you'll skin up a knuckle or two.

You can trust me on this point.

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Old Jul 17, 2014 | 02:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Easy Mike
Extremely carefully. Get in a hurry and you'll skin up a knuckle or two.

You can trust me on this point.

It's true! Those fan blades can be pretty sharp! Be careful not to ding the radiator, too. I have gotten both blood and sweat on my 'vette, no tears yet, though.

Scott
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Old Jul 17, 2014 | 03:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi sd,
Remove the nut's and washers as B suggests…. but make sure you're removing the nut's that attach the fan to the fan clutch, not the nuts that attach the fan clutch to the water pump.
Taking the fan off the clutch will give room you need to maneuver the blades and slip it out of the shroud.
Regards,
Alan
Probably easier this way. On my 76, I just have taken the clutch and fan off together and it comes out just barely with enough room. Have never had the fan off my 70.
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Old Jul 17, 2014 | 04:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi sd,
Remove the nut's and washers as B suggests…. but make sure you're removing the nut's that attach the fan to the fan clutch, not the nuts that attach the fan clutch to the water pump.
Taking the fan off the clutch will give room you need to maneuver the blades and slip it out of the shroud.
Regards,
Alan
Isn't the fan mounted behind the clutch?
You need to remove the clutch to get the fan out. I like to unbolt the fan from the clutch before I fully remove the clutch from the wp as it makes it a bit easier to maneuver it out from the shroud.
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Old Jul 17, 2014 | 06:26 PM
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After removing the clutch, do not lay it down flat, keep it in a vertical position like it is on the car.

The fan clutch contains a silicone fluid. If you lay the clutch flat, this fluid can leak out, and you clutch will no longer lock up properly.
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Old Jul 18, 2014 | 12:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Mashman
After removing the clutch, do not lay it down flat, keep it in a vertical position like it is on the car.

The fan clutch contains a silicone fluid. If you lay the clutch flat, this fluid can leak out, and you clutch will no longer lock up properly.
The oil won't leak out unless there is a problem with it. If it does leak out you should replace it. You can lay the fan clutch assembly down in any position you want once it is removed.
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Old Jul 18, 2014 | 01:23 PM
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Hi Kap,
Yes, you're right!
I didn't describe the sequence properly.
I remove the nuts holding the fan to the clutch first. Then remove the nuts from the clutch to water pump studs.
I move the clutch slightly forward which allows the fan to be slip off the clutch and out of the shroud, and THEN lift the clutch out.
It helps of course to have 3 hands to do that.
Regards,
Alan



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Old Jul 18, 2014 | 04:47 PM
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Originally Posted by 76Rat
The oil won't leak out unless there is a problem with it. If it does leak out you should replace it. You can lay the fan clutch assembly down in any position you want once it is removed.
I believe it states on the fan clutch to lay the coil/strip downward with the flange pointed upward. I am assuming it is so the seal does not dry out.

I've never questioned it, that's how I wanted to set it down anyway!

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Old Jul 18, 2014 | 05:51 PM
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Hi Pete,
I've read that the Sweitzer clutch, (bi-metallic plate), should be stored in a similar way as the Eaton instruction indicates.
The warning is emphatic enough that it's stamped TWICE… I hadn't noticed that before.!
Regards,
Alan

Last edited by Alan 71; Jul 18, 2014 at 05:55 PM.
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Old Jul 18, 2014 | 09:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
The warning is emphatic enough that it's stamped TWICE… I hadn't noticed that before.! Regards, Alan
Hey Alan!

I noticed that too and thought it really odd; they are only inches from each other! I think they just wanted the symmetry. Or balance. Or as you can see one side got a lot nastier than the other!
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