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Fan clutch - how to test, what is correct replacement

Forum: C3 HVAC, Fuel, Emissions, and Exhaust

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Fan clutch - how to test, what is correct replacement

Posted: 10/24/16 7:10pmMessage 1 of 4
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Joined: 1/5/2016
Posts: 72
Vette(s): 1980 L82 White with doeskin interior
After pulling the fan and fan clutch out a while back I set them on a shelf sitting flat with the the mounting flange down.  A few weeks later I found it had leaked at least some of the magic grease out. 

Question 1 - can it work OK with some grease missing? 

Question 2 - if it can, is there a way to check it without putting it in the car an running it? Note: There is some resistance to hand turning the fan when it's bolted to the fan clutch.  

Question 3 - does the fact that grease leaked out indicate bad seals and therefore it just has to be replaced? Note: bearings seem fine as I could not feel any looseness on the shaft.

Question 4 - if it does have to be replaced what is the proper replacement? There seems to be a lot of options out there. The car is a 1980 L82 and thus has a auxilliary electric cooling fan (which to my knowledge only came on once, which was 34 years ago after I shut off the car while parked in a field behind a barn following a few miles of darting around country roads at 3 AM for reasons best left unsaid). The fan is 18.5 inch, 5 blades. Original radiator was triple core aluminum (now copper replacement). I've seen options listed for with and without heavy duty cooling but haven't been able to determine if I have heavy duty cooling. The options I've found are GM p/n 88961768 and 14047080. Below is an image of the original fan clutch. 

Thanks for any guidance you can provide.

 
As it once looked and hopefully will again
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Re: Fan clutch - how to test, what is correct replacement

Posted: 10/24/16 8:11pmMessage 2 of 4
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Overland Park, KS - USA
Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 916
Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day. 2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray
I read somewhere a long time ago that the fan should be left in the vertical position when not on the car. I would say to try yours out and see if it still functions.


1973 L-82 4 spd

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Re: Fan clutch - how to test, what is correct replacement

Posted: 10/25/16 5:08pmMessage 3 of 4
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Vette(s): 1980 L82 White with doeskin interior
I'm leaning in that direction
As it once looked and hopefully will again
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Re: Fan clutch - how to test, what is correct replacement

Posted: 10/28/16 11:58amMessage 4 of 4
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Dunedin, FL - USA
Joined: 3/21/2006
Posts: 262
Vette(s): 1980 Corvette Torch Red with Gold metallic 370HP/350 CU.IN.Turbo 350 w/shift kit.Originally CA.Car with 305 CU.IN.

Vince, If I may suggest you go to Rock Auto to get a fan clutch for your Vette.They have a great assortment and great prices.

I bought one of their listed Fan Clutch several years back and is still doing the job..Just a suggestion..It is too much work to take a chance your clutch is bad and R&R that one when it is not that expensive to replace..
Sal C                              nosal
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