69 Clutch Fan

[Richard B.]

I have a stripped out whole on the clutch fan. My fan is attach using four bolts, the ones I see as replacements have studs. Not sure if mine is original or the correct part. If it is is there a way to fix this or should I just order a replacement.

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 Clutch Fan

I have a stripped out whole on the clutch fan. My fan is attach using four bolts, the ones I see as replacements have studs. Not sure if mine is original or the correct part. If it is is there a way to fix this or should I just order a replacement.

Dick-----


I strongly suspect you have an aftermarket replacement type clutch. Original 1969 clutches used STUDS with nuts for attachment of the fan. If the fan clutch hub has slots instead of holes, that's further confirmation it's not an original clutch. However, some aftermarket also use holes so having holes instead of slots does not mean it's original or necessarily of overall original configuration.

If you wish, you could repair the problem with a heli-coil. However, I would not bother, especially if it's an aftermarket piece.

An excellent replacement can be obtained under GM #3916141.

[Tom M.]

Re: 69 Clutch Fan

Joe & Richard,
Small block or 427 ??
original 427's have bolts that hold it to the fan, Small blocks i don't know ??

[Rich W.]

Re: 69 Clutch Fan

If I am thinking right if you have a bolt that is stripped out wouldn't that be the water pump flange?? That may a little thin for a helicoil..maybe get one size larger bolt?? Possibly metric?? It would make it so the bolt wouldnt be to big..I replaced my original clutch fan last year..I have a small block and it did have studs and nuts..just have to get around to having it rebuilt.

[Dennis S.]

Re: 69 Clutch Fan

original 427's have bolts that hold it to the fan

Mine uses bolts. It better be original because I paid big bucks to have it restored. A new Eaton loaner with studs worked fine in the interim.

[Richard B.]

Re: 69 Clutch Fan

Thanks for the feedback.

It is a big block L68. The hub has holes not slots which mount to the water pump. I checked the clutch and on the outside edge it had the following stamped on the hub 3-13-69 SC. My car is a June 69 car so this might be the original clutch.

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 Clutch Fan

Thanks for the feedback.

It is a big block L68. The hub has holes not slots which mount to the water pump. I checked the clutch and on the outside edge it had the following stamped on the hub 3-13-69 SC. My car is a June 69 car so this might be the original clutch.

Rich------


It sounds like it is the original fan clutch. The original fan clutch on my 1969 small block used studs and nuts to attach the fan to the clutch. Every original GM Sweitzer clutch that I bought to replace it over the years (when they were available) also used studs. However, upon further checking I find that the Sweitzer-manufactured GM #3937771 fan clutch used on many 1969 big blocks did use bolts rather than studs for fan attachment.

I think you could repair it with a heli-coil with no trouble. However, I really question the proper functionality of a fan clutch that old.

[Dennis S.]

Re: 69 Clutch Fan

Thanks for the feedback.

It is a big block L68. The hub has holes not slots which mount to the water pump. I checked the clutch and on the outside edge it had the following stamped on the hub 3-13-69 SC. My car is a June 69 car so this might be the original clutch.

Mine is stamped 3 12 69 SC and is an April car, just before the strike. I had mine rebuilt/restored because the shaft was wobbling. Cost me $330 and 14 months wait, but it was worth it...I suppose. Works fine and looks great. I still would rather spend that kind of money restoring original parts rather than $416 on an air cleaner element.