69 C3 fan blade/clutch

[dick foehringer]

first i want to say thanks for all the help from thee board!!
i need a new fan clutch and am not sure what it is. my fan blade is 3955182 914166 D69. the clutch is a 7" dia that is 2-7/8 tall with 5/8 water pump shaft hole. it does NOT have the coil spring on the front. is this correct for a 69 427/400 with A/C? i have found one that is 6" dia and HAS the coil spring on it. which is correct? does anyone know the gm part number for the correct clutch and is this the right fan for a july 69 built car?
thanks, dick

[Chuck S.]

Re: 69 C3 fan blade/clutch

Dick, your clutch should be dated, maybe month and year on the outside rim of the pulley flange(?). If the date works for your car, it's probably the original clutch, and you should have it rebuilt by Fred Oliva.

That will be the easiest, shortest path to a correct clutch. I think you will be disappointed trying to find a replacement that will work for you in judging. If the car is a driver, a functional NOS or replacement clutch will work, but I would definitely hang on to the original. (Never throw anything original away.)

[Jack H.]

Re: 69 C3 fan blade/clutch

Your copy of the Judging Guide will tell you there were two alternate suppliers of fan clutchs for both SB and BB applications in that time frame. Eaton supplied a 6-inch clutch using a bi-metal coil actuator. Schwitzer supplied a 6-inch clutch using a bi-metal bar actuator. Either (if appropriately configured--details in JG text), is considered 'correct'....