Recommended Fan Clutch for 1970 LS-5 AC?
I'm having difficulty finding a reasonably priced, quality fan clutch for a 1970 LS-5 with AC. I dropped the existing aftermarket fan clutch on the garage floor while R/R'ing the water pump, so it's time for an new one.
A quality, reliable, made in USA piece is more important to me than original looking.
With that said, my first choice remains NOS or a well done rebuilt original, but they're several hundred $.
I then looked at reproduction units. I was told by one vendor they all came from the same source, but they wouldn't tell me specifics. So I ordered one from Corvette Central for $150. Not cheap, but affordable for a Schwitzer Style Fan Clutch that's a "correct reproduction" and "functionally correct in every way".
The first yellow flag when it arrived was the "Made in China" on the box. The good news is it fits. The bad news is that from an appearance perspective, it's only a half-hearted reproduction. The front is significantly different looking that an original. The rear is better, which is what's seen when installed anyway. I just don't know if I trust the quality of it though.
I then looked at replacement clutches from RockAuto, NAPA, AutoZone, and Amazon. They have a coiled bimetallic thermostatic spring instead of the rectangular piece used by Schwitzer, but that's ok for my use. The nicer ones from all these sources look identical (photo blow), and may be manufactured by the same supplier. Very reasonably priced (<$50), look well made, and manufactured in the USA! ...But they don't fit!! This clutch features a larger diameter hub to accommodate both water pump hub bolt diameters, which means the smaller diameter opening in the center of my fan does not fit over it.
Suggestions? Does GM offer a replacement part that's good quality?
A quality, reliable, made in USA piece is more important to me than original looking.
With that said, my first choice remains NOS or a well done rebuilt original, but they're several hundred $.
I then looked at reproduction units. I was told by one vendor they all came from the same source, but they wouldn't tell me specifics. So I ordered one from Corvette Central for $150. Not cheap, but affordable for a Schwitzer Style Fan Clutch that's a "correct reproduction" and "functionally correct in every way".
The first yellow flag when it arrived was the "Made in China" on the box. The good news is it fits. The bad news is that from an appearance perspective, it's only a half-hearted reproduction. The front is significantly different looking that an original. The rear is better, which is what's seen when installed anyway. I just don't know if I trust the quality of it though.
I then looked at replacement clutches from RockAuto, NAPA, AutoZone, and Amazon. They have a coiled bimetallic thermostatic spring instead of the rectangular piece used by Schwitzer, but that's ok for my use. The nicer ones from all these sources look identical (photo blow), and may be manufactured by the same supplier. Very reasonably priced (<$50), look well made, and manufactured in the USA! ...But they don't fit!! This clutch features a larger diameter hub to accommodate both water pump hub bolt diameters, which means the smaller diameter opening in the center of my fan does not fit over it.
Suggestions? Does GM offer a replacement part that's good quality?
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