68 fan clutch

[Cliff K.]

The current JG for 68 states that all original cars seen thus far have the SC stamping and straight fins on the fan clutch. My 68 is a very original car. The part number stamped on the end of the flange, as opposed to the outside edge (rim), is 5329100. The 68 AIM shows this to be one of three available part numbers for the fan clutch. This OEM part number does not show up in any of the GM parts books, that I have, as a replacement part number.

The car build date is 5-4-68. The Julian date of 268 would indicate a mfg. date for the clutch of September 25, 1967. or if you interpret the 26 8, due to the different font of the 26 vs the 8 it could be January 26, 1968, but, then that would leave the '67' unexplained. With either date, this clutch was produced after the end of the 67 car production and well into the 68 production.

Since this car seems to be so original in all most everything mechanical, I am trying to decipher this item. Comments appreciated.
Thanks
Cliff Kennedy

[Joe L.]

Re: 68 fan clutch

The current JG for 68 states that all original cars seen thus far have the SC stamping and straight fins on the fan clutch. My 68 is a very original car. The part number stamped on the end of the flange, as opposed to the outside edge (rim), is 5329100. The 68 AIM shows this to be one of three available part numbers for the fan clutch. This OEM part number does not show up in any of the GM parts books, that I have, as a replacement part number.

The car build date is 5-4-68. The Julian date of 268 would indicate a mfg. date for the clutch of September 25, 1967. or if you interpret the 26 8, due to the different font of the 26 vs the 8 it could be January 26, 1968, but, then that would leave the '67' unexplained. With either date, this clutch was produced after the end of the 67 car production and well into the 68 production.

Since this car seems to be so original in all most everything mechanical, I am trying to decipher this item. Comments appreciated.
Thanks
Cliff Kennedy

Cliff------


This is a Delco-manufactured fan clutch. I have no doubt that it's original to the car. As far as I can tell, this clutch was never available through GM parts. However, it's possible it was available through Delco.

[David L.]

Re: 68 fan clutch

I agree with Joe that your fan clutch is original.

The 3916139, 5329100, and I assume that the 3916140 fan clutches were stamped "CJ". Enclosed is a photo of a NOS 3916139 Schwitzer fan clutch stamped "CJ" as well as an Eaton fan clutch ink stamped (but really faded) "EATON", "CJ", and "L276" (Nov. 27, 1966).

Dave

[Joe L.]

Re: 68 fan clutch

Dave------


Yes, "CJ" (and other codes as well) is a broadcast code to enable assembly line workers to identify the correct clutch for an application. Several manufacturers could have supplied fan clutches. Usually, these would be of different GM PART numbers. However, functionality, as far as GM was concerned, was the same. One cannot definitively identify a fan clutch AS TO PART NUMBER by the broadcast code as 2 or more configurationally different clutches might have the same code.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 68 fan clutch

I'd go with 268th day of 1967 for the date code.
Having a fan clutch that far off the date of the car would not surprise me at all. I'm sure they were batch built, and this one sat for a while before it met your car.