Schwitzer Fan Clutch Restorer

[Richard T.]

Who is the best source for restoring an original Schwitzer fan clutch for a 1968 L 36? All around first choice for quality, price and turn around. Thanks Rich

[Don H.]

Re: Schwitzer Fan Clutch Restorer

Richard,
see this thread currently down near the bottom of the first page of posts.
https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...build-Opinions

[Richard T.]

Re: Schwitzer Fan Clutch Restorer

Thanks Don, I'll contact Dan . Rich

[Richard T.]

Re: Schwitzer Fan Clutch Restorer

Well I sent my clutch out to Kirkconnell about three weeks ago and just got it back today. They did a beautiful job as the pictures show and it feels nice and tight too. Three week turnaround and a reasonable price too. I'll install it tomorrow, thanks for the tip guys.

[Frank D.]

Re: Schwitzer Fan Clutch Restorer

I sprayed some clear coat on that "THIS SIDE UP" stamping piece as I think they're ink and quickly fade to nothing if you don't...

[Richard T.]

Re: Schwitzer Fan Clutch Restorer

Thanks Frank, I'll do that. Rich

[Edward D.]

Re: Schwitzer Fan Clutch Restorer

Just had Dan Kirkconnell restore an original 66 dated Schwitzer clutch for me for my personal 66, got back a couple days ago, very quick turnaround. Looks great. Have been running one of the "correct" repros which look identical except for lack of the patent numbers on the front face and date stamping on the edge, but it worked great, fully engaged at 160 deg, a lower temp than the originals. Dropped running and idle engine temp considerably. I expect the rebuild original to lockup at 180 deg as original. Bottom line, Dan does a nice restoration of originals. If you want great function that looks right (except for missing markings) the correct repro is great. Stay away from auto store generic viscous fan clutches as they are not worth a damn, I have removed and pitched many of those on customers hot running cars.

[Frank D.]

Re: Schwitzer Fan Clutch Restorer

I agree - I ran a Schwitzer repro for several years and to the casual observer it looked original and worked well...
I even took it through judging but of course got dinged for it.....

[Edward D.]

Re: Schwitzer Fan Clutch Restorer

Just had Dan Kirkconnell restore an original 66 dated Schwitzer clutch for me for my personal 66, got back a couple days ago, very quick turnaround. Looks great. Have been running one of the "correct" repros which look identical except for lack of the patent numbers on the front face and date stamping on the edge, but it worked great, fully engaged at 160 deg, a lower temp than the originals. Dropped running and idle engine temp considerably. I expect the rebuild original to lockup at 180 deg as original. Bottom line, Dan does a nice restoration of originals. If you want great function that looks right (except for missing markings) the correct repro is great. Stay away from auto store generic viscous fan clutches as they are not worth a damn, I have removed and pitched many of those on customers hot running cars.

Update - My restored fan clutch was working as expected up till now. Its been getting hot here in Florida and the motor temp started creeping up so I thought I'd change back to the repro clutch for the summer which locks up at a lower temp. When I removed the fan and restored clutch I found splatters of the viscous silicone fluid from the clutch on the fan blades, so my newly rebuilt clutch has been leaking. I've got another correctly dated original I'm going to send to another rebuilder and see what happens. To be fair, Dan did warn me that the Schwitzer clutches aren't always successfully rebuilt. Bottom line, it leaks and no longer works correctly. The repro however works great, too bad it doesn't have the correct patent markings on the front plate. The w/p flange date code I could stamp in myself, but no point without the patent numbers.

[Dan H.]

Re: Schwitzer Fan Clutch Restorer

Same results from Dan's rebuild of my 64 Schwitzer, slight wobble, sprays oil on fan and under side of hood. Put service replacement GM '141' Eaton back on, perfect, dry and no wobble. Schwitzer looks pretty sitting on the shelf where it will stay. The fan clutch was sent back twice for repairs, same results, lots of money for a paper weight. Wish it was otherwise,
Dan

[Gary J.]

Re: Schwitzer Fan Clutch Restorer

In the grand scheme of things the current Schweitzer reproduction fan clutch should be about a one point deduction. You should look at the price point of having your original restored vs the reproduction.

[Mathew S.]

Re: Schwitzer Fan Clutch Restorer

Forgive my ignorance, but what are the differences between the reproduction ones between big block vs small block? Is it just the stamping? I would like to get one for the shelf if/when I need to get my original one redone.

[Edward D.]

Re: Schwitzer Fan Clutch Restorer

Mathew,
Yes, I believe its just the ink stamp CJ (for small block) and CK (for big block) on the Schwitzer repros. Other than that they appear identical and lockup at the same temperature (which is lower than the originals). They look great and work great, better than originals in my opinion. The only things missing are the patent stamping on the front and the date stamping on the mount flange.

[Frank D.]

Re: Schwitzer Fan Clutch Restorer

If you're going to run a repro Schwitzer shoot some clear coat over the ink stamps on the front rectangular plate if you want them to last...
They'll disappear completely after a few months (ask me how I know)..

[Mathew S.]