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Time for a new clutch fan in our 67 327/350 Coupe. Any source recommends? Thanks!
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Re: Clutch Fan
dan,
GM part number 3916141 is another alternative to the rebuild. It's the service replacement that's brand new, fully functional and quite similar in appearance to the original fan clutch.Comment
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Re: Clutch Fan
John,
The problem with the 3916141 clutch is that it's too short to be correct for small block applications. The distance from the back of the water pump flange to the mounting surface of the fan blade should be approx. 1 13/16". IIRC the 141 clutch is 1 1/2", which is correct for big block applications.Comment
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Re: Clutch Fan
Doug-----
It is true that there are some differences between the 3916141 fan clutch and original fan clutches for many Corvette applications. The difference in shaft length for small block applications is one of these differences. Nevertheless, the 3916141 is, by far, the best and most correct thing out there for all 60-70 Corvette applications with the exception of NOS and restored. Even NOS units may be deficient since they may have lost fluid during storage.
You can still purchase the 3916141 as a brand new unit for a reasonable cost compared to an NOS unit (if you could find the one you need) or a restored unit. So, the 3916141 is the way to go. Just wait until this piece is finally discontinued and see how much they then will bring on eBay and elsewhere.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Clutch Fan
Am I understanding correctly that this is the clutch to use for street driven big blocks as well......Comment
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Re: Clutch Fan
Dan,
The new GM replacement fan clutch works perfectly fine. I installed on on my 327/300 engine last summer. We drove across Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming last summer coming back from the NCRS National Convention in 104 degree heat running at 75 to 80 mph and the fan worked great, the car never came close to getting hot. No troubles with it in city traffic either.
James WestComment
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Re: Clutch Fan
James, do you recall the part number?
HarryComment
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Re: Clutch Fan part numbers
Harry,
According to my notes from past DB postings:
For BB, and ‘70 (I think) and newer, I think the fan clutch is GM #88961768, which is available from gmpartsdirect.com for $68 + S&H.
For SB, the correct GM part # is 3916141. This costs $112 + S&H from gmpartsdirect.com.
GaryComment
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Correction: 3916141 is $116.60 + S&H
from gmpartsdirect.comComment
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Re: Clutch Fan
Rick------
Absolutely yes! In fact, this fan clutch was originally used on 1967 passenger cars with big block engines and became the SERVICE fan clutch for Corvettes with big blocks. It may have been used in PRODUCTION on some 68-70 Corvette big blocks. Eventually, it became the GM-catalogued SERVICE fan clutch for all 60-70 Corvette applications.
The 3916141 is an Eaton-manufactured fan clutch with a coil spring-type thermostat.
For a 1960-70 Corvette it is about the best you can do from the perspective of configuration, functionality and performance. As mentioned, it is not configured exactly like the originals used for many 60-70 Corvette applications inasmuch as many of these used Sweitzer-mnaufactured fan clutches with different thermostats, fin configuration, and other features. Also, as has been mentioned, there were some differences in shaft length between small block and big block clutches. Nevertheless, this is the best thing available today in a NEW fan clutch for all 60-70 Corvette applications.
As far as performance goes, some of the later 71+ fan clutches were far better than the 60-70 style fan clutches. However, these differ VERY significantly in configuration and require considerable modification/part changes to install on a 1960-70 application.
However, for the 60-70 style clutch applications, there is NO better performing fan clutch available on the market today at any price.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Clutch Fan part numbers
Gary------
The 3916141 is the GM SERVICE fan clutch for BOTH small block and big block applications for 1960-70 Corvettes. It was actually originally used for big blocks and later became the SERVICE fan clutch for small blocks. So, it has the "big block shaft length".
GM #88961768 is the successor part number for what was probably the best performing fan clutch EVER used on a Corvette. As far as I can tell, the 88961768 is identical to that original clutch, GM #343721. The problem is these fan clutches are designed for use on 71+ Corvettes. They cannot be used on earlier model year Corvettes without significant modifications. The configuration of these fan clutches is also TOTALLY different than any fan clutch used for 1960-70 Corvettes.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Thanks for the correction, Joe *NM*
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Re: Clutch Fan
Larry,
Gary is correct on the part number 3916141. This is the fan clutch that I purchased.
James WestComment
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