Fan clutch

Author Topic: Fan clutch  (Read 3096 times)

Offline msbaugh

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Fan clutch
« on: May 10, 2012 - 12:06:35 AM »
Hey y'all, have any of you guys gone to a clutch driven fan? I've got a standard 7 blade, iron fan that I feel must rob quite a bit of power. I swear that thing weighs a ton! I don't care for electric setups, just thinking about a clutch and maybe a lighter (aluminum?) fan.  I just don't want to cut my cooling ability.  Anyone have good experiences with a specific piece?  Also need to put a thermostat in so I can get my temp gage working.  Does a 160 or 180 thermostat work best for these? open for a link or suggestions




Offline hooD

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Re: Fan clutch
« Reply #1 on: May 10, 2012 - 04:11:07 AM »
you mean one of these?  i use a 180° thermostat

-Larry
member since AUG 2007
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southeastern michigan usa
             
 
            
1973 'CUDA 340
 
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Offline GranCuda1970

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Re: Fan clutch
« Reply #2 on: May 10, 2012 - 05:18:38 AM »
I have one but I have not istalled yet.  Got alot of GOOD feedback about them. They give you a few extra horsepower. Top of the line tech back in the early 70's.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/DCC-4120758/

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=83785.msg838509#msg838509
« Last Edit: May 10, 2012 - 05:22:48 AM by GranCuda1970 »

Offline 72cudamaan

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Re: Fan clutch
« Reply #3 on: May 10, 2012 - 08:23:55 AM »
The hd fan and clutch cool the best. Even if you could get an aluminum blade that would fit ( which I doubt), they
are dangerous. They break and have very sharp edges. Not worth the weight savings in my opinion. And
go with the 180 stat. You need some heat to make the engine perform at it's best.
If I cant fix it, it's broke
 
Andy  (phukker whither)

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Fan clutch
« Reply #4 on: May 10, 2012 - 08:40:29 AM »
Flex-A-Lite has a 18" 6 blade fan available for a reasonable price , you can get a clutch hub from any parts store as well .

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline msbaugh

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Re: Fan clutch
« Reply #5 on: May 10, 2012 - 09:54:30 AM »
Sweet guys. Just what I was looking for! Thanks

Offline V02Barracuda

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Re: Fan clutch
« Reply #6 on: May 10, 2012 - 01:21:23 PM »
I'm using a "216" fan blade with a HD clutch from Autozone.  Also using a Robert Shaw 180 degree thermostat and a Flowkooler 8 blade impeller water pump.  I couldn't be happier with my selection of parts to keep my 340 running cool.  Hope this helps. 

Offline 72cudamaan

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Re: Fan clutch
« Reply #7 on: May 10, 2012 - 01:37:37 PM »
Flex-A-Lite has a 18" 6 blade fan available for a reasonable price , you can get a clutch hub from any parts store as well .

Will a flex a lite blade bolt to a clutch? I thought they all had small center holes.  :dunno:
If I cant fix it, it's broke
 
Andy  (phukker whither)

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Fan clutch
« Reply #8 on: May 10, 2012 - 07:18:38 PM »
The Flex-a-lite fans designed for clutches bolt right on to basic clutch hubs , I was using Cooling Depot brand clutches , I use the Jaguar clutch for pre 70 B bodies as they need to be very short to fit . On the E bodies you can use the regular clutch for the E body as they came stock with them .

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline msbaugh

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Re: Fan clutch
« Reply #9 on: May 10, 2012 - 09:15:45 PM »
How much closer will the mopar clutch put my fan to the radiator?  I measured and I only have about 3 inches of room.  There seems to be a spacer on the housing though, so I can get rid of that and maybe make a few more inches of space for it. 

Offline msbaugh

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Re: Fan clutch
« Reply #10 on: May 10, 2012 - 09:28:32 PM »
Here's a picture... the spacer on the pulley can take off another 2 inches if removed. So i'll have a little under 5 inches of room.  Can someone measure the clutch from their pulley and let me know if i'll have room that way I can order it!  :2thumbs:

Offline challenger_affair

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Re: Fan clutch
« Reply #11 on: July 25, 2012 - 12:36:47 AM »
piggy-backing on this, I'm interested in adding a viscous clutch to a 7 blade fan that is probably stock.  Is there a specific viscous clutch fan that folks know to fit with that setup in a 383 challenger? 

Summit search comes up with 2 different clutches, but there's little to no description about the items.  Plus they're both 'standard' cooling and I was hoping for heavy duty if it'll fit.  Maybe there's a better source? Thanks for any recommendations!
« Last Edit: July 25, 2012 - 12:42:24 AM by challenger_affair »
1970 Challenger 383 RT Auto Plum Crazy

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Fan clutch
« Reply #12 on: July 25, 2012 - 08:17:44 AM »
the spacer needs to be removed from the fan assy , the jag clutch will work but puts the fan back about one inch from stock , I do not have a specific application for the clutch but HD 70 up e body should have an application listed .
 180 or 195 are the thermostats to use , the 1808 would be my choice

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline challenger_affair

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Re: Fan clutch
« Reply #13 on: October 26, 2012 - 01:15:09 AM »
The hd fan and clutch cool the best. Even if you could get an aluminum blade that would fit ( which I doubt), they
are dangerous. They break and have very sharp edges. Not worth the weight savings in my opinion. And
go with the 180 stat. You need some heat to make the engine perform at it's best.


This is the flex-a-lite fan I believe chryco was talking about.  http://www.summitracing.com/parts/flx-5718

It has a steel hub but aluminum blades.  Anyone heard of any problems with these?  Its not technically a 'flex' fan so would that make it more sturdy theoretically?  I'm having trouble finding anything with 6 or 7 blades that is all steel. 
1970 Challenger 383 RT Auto Plum Crazy

Offline GranCuda1970

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Re: Fan clutch
« Reply #14 on: October 26, 2012 - 05:33:35 AM »
Here's a picture... the spacer on the pulley can take off another 2 inches if removed. So i'll have a little under 5 inches of room.  Can someone measure the clutch from their pulley and let me know if i'll have room that way I can order it!  :2thumbs:

You will not need the spacer.