Fan Clutch Rebuild

[Paul C.]

Can you rebuild the 1971 fan clutch? If so how and what do you need? If not who do you recommend to rebuild one. No I don't want a replacement--I have the original. Thanks

[Joe L.]

Re: Fan Clutch Rebuild

Can you rebuild the 1971 fan clutch? If so how and what do you need? If not who do you recommend to rebuild one. No I don't want a replacement--I have the original. Thanks

Paul-----

It requires special expertise to rebuild these fan clutches. The only source for that I know of is Fred Oliva (foliva@gate.net). However, Fred does this work as a "side-line" and has a LONG lead time. I believe there is one other person doing it, but I don't know, offhand, who that is and know nothing of his work.

It takes a lot of time to rebuild one of these clutches and, consequently, it's expensive. If I ever did have one rebuilt (and, I have no plans to do so, currently), I would use it only for judged events and not for day-to-day driving.

[Richard T.]

Re: Fan Clutch Rebuild

Fred does a great job but as Joe pointed out it takes quite a while. I believe his current lead time is 12 months or so and the cost was around $150.00. I've had his fan clutches on a couple of my cars and never had a problem over many miles of street use. You can reach Fred at 954-755-1161 or foliva@gate.net Good luck Rich

[David S.]

Re: Fan Clutch Rebuild

I used Fred as well and was completely satisfied.

[Kent K.]

Re: Fan Clutch Rebuild

Fred Oliva is the only person I've used. He rebuilt my '67 fan clutch in 1993. I had the car judged at Cypress Gardens in January 1994 and shortly thereafter, the fan clutch started failing. I called Fred about it; he asked me to send it back and he repaired it immediately and returned it to me in less than a month IIRC. I've had it on my '67 ever since and put over 1000 miles on the car driving to meets at Kississimmee, FL and just local trips for fun. The fan clutch works like new!!!

[Charles F.]

Re: Fan Clutch Rebuild

For whatever this is worth: I know of a fan clutch sent to Fred Oliva almost a year ago that has not yet been returned. I am told that Mr. Oliva has not returned any of multiple calls to both his home and business, nor has he responded to e-mailed inquiries. As a result, an aftermarket fan clutch was sourced as the car was otherwise done. To say that the restorer is frustrated/angry is an understatement. He can't even find out whether the clutch is being worked on nor when it might be done. He had used Mr. Oliva many times in the past without such problems. Having seen (from messages posted here over the years) how busy Mr. Oliva is, I guess I am not surprised by the turn around time but I don't think ignoring a customer is good business.

Chuck Faillace

[Kent K.]

Re: Fan Clutch Rebuild

I'm sorry Fred has not responded to your multiple contact attempts. Unfortunately, this is not uncommen. He has had many problems, both personal and professional and still tries to do the best fan clutck rebuild in the world. Remember, if you look at his web site, he performes this service for other cars than Corvettes . . . he must be socked with extracurricular work. Patience is a virtue.

[Edward S.]

Re: Fan Clutch Rebuild

Got my fan clutch back from Fred in late Jan. 2008, which was a year after I sent it to him. The only time I was allowed to talk to him is when I tracked him down in Boston and was told he was working on my when he left for Boston and I would have it back in 3 months. Even with that said I waited 6 months. In all fairness his work was great.
There is another guy in Florida doing them now, the last I heard he was 4 months out. Some people in my Chapter just sent theirs to a new guy in Conn. who promised a 2 month turnaround - too early to see how this works out.

[Dave S.]

Re: Fan Clutch Rebuild

Vinny Catalano (?) is a fellow who rebuilds them. He was in Florida and moved back to Rhode Island several months ago. He did one for me about 1 1/2 years ago and it looked great but had some seeping from the bearing. I returned it to him and he replaced the bearing with an improved one and said it was now corrected. Still on the shelf so I have no way of verifying its operation capability but cosmetically it looks super. Nice fellow to deal with and the turn around was fairly quick. I believe he advertises in the Driveline.

[Alan S.]

Re: Fan Clutch Rebuild

How does how the fan has been stored while off the car ( laying flat or in it's installed position ) affect the fan clutch? Is it dangerous to use a fan that's been stored incorrectly? Is there a mileage life to a fan clutch?
Regards,
Alan

[Joe L.]

Re: Fan Clutch Rebuild

How does how the fan has been stored while off the car ( laying flat or in it's installed position ) affect the fan clutch? Is it dangerous to use a fan that's been stored incorrectly? Is there a mileage life to a fan clutch?
Regards,
Alan

Alan-----


The main problem occurs if the clutch is stored face down. That's because fluid can seep out. Although I've heard folks say that the coil type unit has to be store one way and the bi-metallic bar the opposite way, I don't buy it. If the clutch leaks from the seal on the shaft side (i.e. if the clutch is stored with the shaft side down), then the seal is shot and the fan clutch is no good anyway. The fluid cannot leak from a good seal; that's why the seal is there.

The fluid can leak from the front side of either type clutch because there is no seal on the piston which is activated by either the coil spring or bi-metallic thermostat. So, if the clutch is stored face down, there is the possibility of leakage. There is not a large amount of the silicone fluid in the clutch so any loss is consequential.

In the past, I have found that these clutches are only good for about 50,000 miles, or so. An exception is the 75-81 HD clutch. That one seems to be bullet-proof.