clutch fan installation thread?????

[CRGRS 66]

I did some searching on there and have not been able to find a thread on upgrading to a clutch fan.

Has anybody done such an upgrade, or know of a thread on doing this?

Thanks!

[badriand]

Stock engine?
Posted via Mobile Device

[GCncsuHD]

I just did this on my 78 K30 a few weeks ago, I had to replace a leaking water pump anyway so I decided to swap to a clutch fan from the old direct drive while I was at it.

Look at rockauto.com, you will probably get the best prices there. I ordered the Hayden 3619 19" fan, they also make a 3618 18" fan, measure your existing fan/shroud to see what you need, and also a Hayden standard duty thermal fan clutch. Those are the only two pieces you need other than some shorter bolts to bolt the fan clutch to the water pump. I will forewarn you, the box the fan comes in "says" it is a flex fan...it is not, and Hayden confirms this, they simply use the same box for multiple fans.

First thing I noticed, the fan is MUCH quieter. Cooling is just as good as it was before, I pulled a 5000lb boat around, with an additional 1000lbs ATV and gear in the bed last week in 106* heat and the needle never moved from it's normal running temp position with a 195* thermostat.

[dropanddrag71]

Can i ask why you went with a thermal clutch? I am thinking to do the same and have read thermal is better then non thermal, expecially in hot climates with no cold winters. have the part number for the clutch?

[duallyjams]

I did this on a 65. GM makes different sizes fans so measure the shroud. I believe it should be the 18" fan. The fan is inter changeable with the clutch.

[CRGRS 66]

Originally Posted by badriand

Stock engine?
Posted via Mobile Device

Yes, stock 283

Originally Posted by GCncsuHD

I just did this on my 78 K30 a few weeks ago, I had to replace a leaking water pump anyway so I decided to swap to a clutch fan from the old direct drive while I was at it.

Look at rockauto.com, you will probably get the best prices there. I ordered the Hayden 3619 19" fan, they also make a 3618 18" fan, measure your existing fan/shroud to see what you need, and also a Hayden standard duty thermal fan clutch. Those are the only two pieces you need other than some shorter bolts to bolt the fan clutch to the water pump. I will forewarn you, the box the fan comes in "says" it is a flex fan...it is not, and Hayden confirms this, they simply use the same box for multiple fans.

First thing I noticed, the fan is MUCH quieter. Cooling is just as good as it was before, I pulled a 5000lb boat around, with an additional 1000lbs ATV and gear in the bed last week in 106* heat and the needle never moved from it's normal running temp position with a 195* thermostat.

Thanks for the info

Originally Posted by duallyjams

I did this on a 65. GM makes different sizes fans so measure the shroud. I believe it should be the 18" fan. The fan is inter changeable with the clutch.

Thanks for posting!

[duallyjams]

here are some for sale on here http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=541408

[dropanddrag71]

I just installed on my 70 c 20, 350... a Flex a lite 18" clutch fan with a Hayden thermal clutch... Perfect fit, simple to install. Temp is the same, but that fan noise is gone!

[CRGRS 66]

Originally Posted by duallyjams

here are some for sale on here http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=541408

Originally Posted by dropanddrag71

I just installed on my 70 c 20, 350... a Flex a lite 18" clutch fan with a Hayden thermal clutch... Perfect fit, simple to install. Temp is the same, but that fan noise is gone!

Thank you both for posting!

[DoubleL]

Does anyone know if it would be a different procedure for my 292? I don't have a shroud to worry about but I also don't have a whole lot of distance between the block and the radiator.

[dropanddrag71]

According to the summit website, the part numbers i used will fit the 292 from 1963 to 1971..
Part numbers i used were
Hayden clutch 2705
flex a lite clutch fan 5718

Fan itself is a universal fit, just make sure of your diamiter. this fan is 18.250
**you dont mention a year, just recheck summit before ordering

[Brad54]

I did it when dropping a new crate 350 in place of the original 283 in my '61 Suburban.
I found a factory fan shroud (!), measured the opening, and then went through the YearOne muscle car parts catalogs and found the biggest fan I could... I believe I ended up using a 7-blade fan for a big block Mopar with A/C.
Then I got a Delco thermo clutch, and it all bolted right up to my Chevy water pump.
I worked at YearOne at the time, and was able to take both GM and Mopar fans and compare them side-by-side, along with the clutch units: they were standardized bolt circles for bolting to the snout of the water pumps... Chevy fit Mopar, Mopar fit Chevy.

I went with OEM-authorized parts... the aftermarket replacement had a sticker on the fan blades that said "Do not exceed 4,500rpm."

I don't race my truck by any means, but I feel a whole lot more comfortable with a fan that was spec'd for an engine that was built to RPM, like a Hemi or a Corvette, rather than a fan telling me "It looks good, but the blades might come through the hood."

As it is, I haven't gotten the fan shroud on yet... I have a wider/taller 3/4-ton 4-row radiator, and even with the fan set back about 8 inches from the radiator, at idle the fan moves enough air that it will hold a piece of paper tight to the radiator... it's moving some air.
Just went over 51,000 miles with this combination, and drive it daily in Georgia (including summers)

-Brad

[CRGRS 66]

Thanks so much for the info Brad, I am looking at a crate 350 as well, this is very helpful!