Fan Spacer and/or Fan Clutch substitute

[Joe L.]

Re: Fan Spacer and/or Fan Clutch substitute

Rebuilt water pump, can't recall the supplier but I know which store it came from.

I was less than impressed by the airflow when the car was sitting in the driveway running with the hood closed and temps climbing. That's why I'm thinking defective fan clutch.
And yes, that's the one.

Patrick------


With that fan clutch you should DEFINITELY feel the air flow when it's fully "engaged" at low speed or idle.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Fan Spacer and/or Fan Clutch substitute

Does it have all the foam seals around the radiator and core support?

Yes, though the sealing provided by the factory metal shroud has never impressed me in general.

[Joe L.]

Re: Fan Spacer and/or Fan Clutch substitute

Yes, though the sealing provided by the factory metal shroud has never impressed me in general.

Patrick-----


Yes, the sealing with that shroud is pretty poor. Worse yet, the round metal shroud does not cause air to be drawn through the entire radiator, just that portion of the radiator that is "covered" by the shroud. Nevertheless, most Corvettes with this shroud do cool adequately so the shroud configuration is certainly not the problem.

[Jerry W.]

Re: Fan Spacer and/or Fan Clutch substitute

OLD THREAD...BUT HELP NEEDED

Patrick....Did you solve your over heating problem ? How ?

[Patrick H.]

Re: Fan Spacer and/or Fan Clutch substitute

OLD THREAD...BUT HELP NEEDED

Patrick....Did you solve your over heating problem ? How ?

Nope.

I just had the distributor checked (perfectly set still to 1972 specs), and will be converting to full time vacuum advance. I will also adjust the timing for about 36-38 degrees total (initial + centrifugal). The compression check was good and the spark plugs don't look too bad. I might also install a spare 7 blade fan for the season. I also plan on verifying TDC to see if it matches the balancer wheel.

I still can't think of anything else to do other than install a new (not rebuilt) water pump, but I suspect low yield with that one.

Patrick

[Peter H.]

Re: Fan Spacer and/or Fan Clutch substitute

Good morning patrick.. This may be a dumb comment but is the fan pulling air or pushing it forward...believe me i have seen this scenario .. And it boggles the mind... Peter ...

[Mike M.]

Re: Fan Spacer and/or Fan Clutch substitute

pat: i have a bucket full of fan spacers i removed from chev's of the 60's back in the day. if you let me know what length of spacer will substitute for your fan clutch, i'll go to the barn and see what is there. mike

[Michael M.]

Re: Fan Spacer and/or Fan Clutch substitute

Patrick, I removed a spacer from my '68 when I restored the cooling system. I probably have it on my workbench. It's yours if you want it. I'll post a picture of it tonight.

[Michael M.]

Re: Fan Spacer and/or Fan Clutch substitute

Here's a picture of the fan spacer I have. It was on my cars for years. You can PM your address if you want it. Fan Clutch Spacer 2.jpg

[Patrick H.]

Re: Fan Spacer and/or Fan Clutch substitute

I ended up rechecking the fan clutch after the initial post and it seems to work fine. I will let you know how it goes and what I might need after I start the car and retest it.

And yes, the fan is installed facing the correct direction.

Patrick

[Jim T.]

Re: Fan Spacer and/or Fan Clutch substitute

Patrick you probably know this. Connecting full time vacuum to the vacuum advance unit needs to connect also to a full time 100% vacuum from the carb and not a port that gives the best vacuum above idle.

[Joe L.]

Re: Fan Spacer and/or Fan Clutch substitute

Here's a picture of the fan spacer I have. It was on my cars for years. You can PM your address if you want it. [ATTACH=CONFIG]45777[/ATTACH]

Michael-----


This is a typical spacer as once available from GM in SERVICE (and like those also available in the aftermarket).

[Michael M.]

Re: Fan Spacer and/or Fan Clutch substitute

Joe, I agree. I didn't mean to imply it was special just that it worked well on my car and the belts and everything lined up when using it. I put in a fan clutch and obviated the need for this spacer. There are some numbers on it, but when I Google the numbers nothing comes up. I'm not sure if it's a GM piece or not, but it doesn't really matter to me.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Fan Spacer and/or Fan Clutch substitute

Here's a picture of the fan spacer I have. It was on my cars for years. You can PM your address if you want it. [ATTACH=CONFIG]45777[/ATTACH]

Mike,

Does it use studs or bolts?

Patrick

[Bill C.]

Re: Fan Spacer and/or Fan Clutch substitute

Patrick

I might have just the thing you need.
I will go to the shop today and see if it is still laying around..


I had a machinist custom make me a clutch spacer from steel. it was all turned on a lathe and drilled out perfectly for center.
It was done for the big block 72 I had. the fan bolts to it just like it does to the clutch. It has the large centering hole - and the height is exactly equal to the fan clutch.

Bill



*****
I had the thing at home --
Sent pictures to your email address .....