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Thread: Fan clutch Q

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
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    DC
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    Default Fan clutch Q

    So, I was poking aroud today, trying to figure out the best way to turn the engine. I took a look at the front of the fan (facing the radiator) and thought the metal strip that is attached to the fan clutch pin was a safety strip covering a bolt to release the fan(hey, it was covered with a lot of dirt In any event, I pried the metal strip just a bit until I saw the attached pin and realized that wasn't what it was. How sensitive is this piece to the proper function of the clutch. it doesn't look like the metal strip was bent very much, if at all, in my efforts. it will move in and out very slightly with the push of my finger(where it attaches freely at one end)....could I have possibly messed up its function? As far as I can tell without driving much, it seems to be working ok. tia

  2. #2
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    Jan 2004
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    Default

    Yes you did mess it up. Its a bimetallic strip that reacts to temperature and when hot air hits it , it changes shape as it heats up and raises and lowers that pin opening and closing an orifice


    Quote Originally Posted by schnell944
    So, I was poking aroud today, trying to figure out the best way to turn the engine. I took a look at the front of the fan (facing the radiator) and thought the metal strip that is attached to the fan clutch pin was a safety strip covering a bolt to release the fan(hey, it was covered with a lot of dirt In any event, I pried the metal strip just a bit until I saw the attached pin and realized that wasn't what it was. How sensitive is this piece to the proper function of the clutch. it doesn't look like the metal strip was bent very much, if at all, in my efforts. it will move in and out very slightly with the push of my finger(where it attaches freely at one end)....could I have possibly messed up its function? As far as I can tell without driving much, it seems to be working ok. tia


  3. #3
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    DC
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    Default

    lame. that's what I get for poking around, I guess. I didn't move it very much though.

  4. #4
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    Default

    So, the strip doesn't look to be deformed and still seems to function properly. It clutches up the first few seconds when I start the car cold then slows down and speeds up a little. The fan goes faster when I raise the engine speed a bit. It doesnt clutch up when I leave the car sitting for a bit though, but the engine temp stays right in the middle. This is probably because it isnt too hot outside now. It isnt very easy to stop with the newspaper test. Does this sound like things are still right? I may snag a fan cluth from the salvage yard for comparison tomorrow. I've never really paid much attention to its function before and am now a little paranoid.

  5. #5
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    Jan 2004
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    Default

    If its too cool outside then the radiator never will heat the air up enough passing over the fan clutch to tell whether its engaging at the right time or not. Here's the specs




    Quote Originally Posted by schnell944
    So, the strip doesn't look to be deformed and still seems to function properly. It clutches up the first few seconds when I start the car cold then slows down and speeds up a little. The fan goes faster when I raise the engine speed a bit. It doesnt clutch up when I leave the car sitting for a bit though, but the engine temp stays right in the middle. This is probably because it isnt too hot outside now. It isnt very easy to stop with the newspaper test. Does this sound like things are still right? I may snag a fan cluth from the salvage yard for comparison tomorrow. I've never really paid much attention to its function before and am now a little paranoid.


  6. #6
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  7. #7
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    Default

    that's unfortunate....I guess I'll just have to wait till it's hot outside. Maybe I'll pull a spare out from the yard incase I'm up a creek when the hot weather comes.

    the strip doesn't look to be deformed by my efforts. I wonder how sensitive it is.

    One more clutch related question. I dont have the special tool to hold the pully when tightening the fan nut. If I can get the nut tight enough so the wrench requires a firm bang with my palm to free then nut, is that good enough?
    Last edited by schnell944; 12-03-2006 at 07:31 PM.

  8. #8
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    Default I just tap on my wrench with a ball peen hammer and

    give it a couple of light wacks to tighten it up.


    Quote Originally Posted by schnell944
    that's unfortunate....I guess I'll just have to wait till it's hot outside. Maybe I'll pull a spare out from the yard incase I'm up a creek when the hot weather comes.

    One more clutch related question. I dont have the special tool to hold the pully when tightening the fan nut. If I can get the nut tight enough so the wrench requires a firm bang with my palm to free then nut, is that good enough?


  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bill R.
    give it a couple of light wacks to tighten it up.
    thanks for the help guys. after seeing the restoration page shogun posted where it seemed like the bimetal strip was manhandled a bit, I feel a little bit better. I thought maybe it was a super super sensitive piece... Just slightly worries me as I will be moving to DC soon....scared of those hot steamy summers.

    Better yet, I think I may just pull the bimetal strip out of a salvage yard car just so I can sleep a little easier.
    Last edited by schnell944; 12-03-2006 at 07:41 PM.

  10. #10
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    for what it's worth, if it was all gunked up and greasy the fluid is leaking out of the fan clutch. If I was you I would just get a new clutch and save it for a warmer day. The bimetal strip is very sensitive, should be good in the cold but when it warms up who knows what can happen.
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