72 Fan Clutch

[Edward J.]

Is the fan clutch on my 72 painted dull silver or is it natural aluminum, any ideas. Thanks, Ed

[Bill C.]

Re: 72 Fan Clutch

Ed,

I'm pretty sure the clutch unit is natural aluminum finish. The only part that was painted silver is the steel mounting shaft/hub part.

[Michael G.]

Re: 72 Fan Clutch

Yes Ed, It is a natural cast aluminum finish. I'm not sure what the bi-metal plate on front was originally. Mike

[Edward J.]

Re: 72 Fan Clutch

Thanks guys, I did have some aluminum finish left on the flange and the rest looked natural but was not sure. I am just cleaning up the original.

[Edward J.]

Re: 72 Fan Clutch

I don't know if any one has there original fan clutch, but I found what I believe to be some red colored dye on the side facing the engine, Bill or Mike ?Or someone else.

[Bill C.]

Re: 72 Fan Clutch

mine is and there a red/orange dot (size of a BB) on the outer edge.
I think it may have been for balancing or alignment....
mine is on the side facing the radiator.....

[Joe L.]

Re: 72 Fan Clutch

Is the fan clutch on my 72 painted dull silver or is it natural aluminum, any ideas. Thanks, Ed

Edward------

Attached are photos of an NOS GM #3991426. I believe that all GM #3991426 were manufactured by Sweitzer Clutch. However, it's possible that some were manufactured by Eaton. The clutch pictured has a natural finish on all of the aluminum components. The bi-mtallic strip is natural finish with ink stamping and the strip retainer is natural steel. The exposed shaft, the forward and side faces of the hub were painted with aluminum paint. The rear face of the hub (mates to face of pulley) was unpainted.

[Jack H.]

Re: 72 Fan Clutch

Check your copy of the '72 AIM. You should find drawing detail regarding marks on the fan clutch and matching marks on the water pump hub (balance/alignment) that appeared in '72 and weren't detailed in '71...

[Edward J.]

Re: 72 Fan Clutch

Jack , Thanks for the input, there was a blue mark on water pump and a yellow dash on fan clutch for alignment. I did happen to find a red dot on the front clutch face and red dye looked to be sprayed on the side facing engine. and some dull aluminum spary on the hub. do you thing that there was some overspray on the aluminum from painting the hub? it appears that a found some on the aluminum.

[Jack H.]

Re: 72 Fan Clutch

I wouldn't doubt there were certain Schwitzer clutches with some random overspray from painting the input shaft/hub. But, then I don't know the assy order that was used at Schwitzer (was shaft/hub embossed and painted before or after assy?)...

[Bill C.]

Re: 72 Fan Clutch

I would be willing to bet the shaft was painted after final assembly.

I did a light degreasing on my unit and I noticed aluminum overspray on the bearing/seal. Must have been one assembly when painted.

I can grab some pictures Thursday whne I get back home.

[Edward J.]

Re: 72 Fan Clutch

I would be willing to bet the shaft was painted after final assembly.

I did a light degreasing on my unit and I noticed aluminum overspray on the bearing/seal. Must have been one assembly when painted.

I can grab some pictures Thursday whne I get back home.

Bill, if I would have just read Joe L. post a little more closely, his post states there was some overspray of the aluminum surface.