Clutch fan leak

[Daniel D.]

[Ed S.]

Re: Clutch fan leak

Daniel,
I just had an original Eaton (that is what you have) restored by Dan Kirkconnell, www.kirkconnellcorvettes.com. Dan knows his stuff, give him a call he will talk with you and answer all your questions and more. In the meantime, if you want to learn a bit more about clutch fans go to the Mid-Atlantic Chapter's Tech Library on their website, scroll down to "Engine" - you will find 3 articles (PDFs) on clutch fans - good technical stuff. Here is the link - http://www.ncrsmac.org/Tech-Library

[Daniel D.]

Re: Clutch fan leak

Thanks Ed. I will contact Kirkconnell to see about rebuilding mine. In the meantime, I see that Rockauto sells ACDELCO fan clutch 1580275 for about $40. I'm wondering if I should try that one until I get mine rebuilt. Does anyone have experience with ACDELCO 1580275? Thanks.

[Chris D.]

Re: Clutch fan leak

Thanks Ed. I will contact Kirkconnell to see about rebuilding mine. In the meantime, I see that Rockauto sells ACDELCO fan clutch 1580275 for about $40. I'm wondering if I should try that one until I get mine rebuilt. Does anyone have experience with ACDELCO 1580275? Thanks.

Daniel,

I have found the industry application catalogs are in error. 15-80275 has a fan to hub mounting dimension of 1.40". GM service part number 3814560 (same as my '63) has a mounting dimension of 1.75". If you insist on AC/Delco you want 15-80277. Plainly seen by the pics at RockAuto, they are all made by the same company so go with price. Hayden 2710, 4 Seasons 36954, or my favorite cause I hate shipping, NAPA 273325.

If you shop by plugging in the GM number you should find these suggestions corroborated.

My NAPA sourced clutch fixed my cooling problem and has been running great for a few years now. It will not serve well for judging needs.

Chris

[Daniel D.]

Re: Clutch fan leak

Chris,
Thanks for your reply. Sounds like NAPA is the way to go. And thanks for the NAPA part #.
Dan

[William F.]

Re: Clutch fan leak

Is it true or a myth that the fan and clutch should not be laid down flat or else it will leak??

[Ken A.]

Re: Clutch fan leak

It did not leak when new. I vote myth.

[Joe L.]

Re: Clutch fan leak

It did not leak when new. I vote myth.

Ken------

Oh yes, they did leak when new. Way back in the early 70's I needed to replace the GM #3916139 on my small block. I went to my Chevrolet dealer TO purchase one which was then packaged in a "square box" at a 45 degree angle. There were no instructions on the box as to how it was to be stored. However, there was a very large oil stain on the box, presumably caused by fluid leakage. So, I refused to accept it and the counterman went to the back to get another (these were the days when Chevrolet parts departments actually had parts in stock). It had the same stain. So, they ordered me another one. It had the same stain on the box. I accepted it (to keep the parts guy from thinking I was nuts). I don't think the replacement fan clutch ever worked properly.

Later GM started packaging these clutches "flat" in a rectangular box with the prominent instructions "STORE THIS SIDE UP".

[Ken A.]

Re: Clutch fan leak

I'm refering to the OE Schwitzer parts in the 60's.

[Joe L.]

Re: Clutch fan leak

I'm refering to the OE Schwitzer parts in the 60's.

Ken------


That's what I'm referring to, also. The GM #3916139 (at least, the one that was originally installed on my car and all the replacements I referred to) were Schwitzer-type fan clutches.

[James W.]

Re: Clutch fan leak

So they should be stored hub side down or as installed in the car?

[Joe L.]

Re: Clutch fan leak

So they should be stored hub side down or as installed in the car?

James------


I don't know if it's absolutely necessary but it can't hurt and that's what I do.

[James W.]

Re: Clutch fan leak

Joe,

So you in fact store them as installed in the car? Just want to be sure I understood your reply.

[Joe L.]

Re: Clutch fan leak

Joe,

So you in fact store them as installed in the car? Just want to be sure I understood your reply.

James------


I store hub side down but I would also store them as-installed.

[Richard M.]

Re: Clutch fan leak

Once I had a Delco coil spring type stored face down and it leaked a small amount of the fluid out of the pin valve under the coil spring.

I have seen NOS unit boxes clearly marked...."STORE THIS SIDE UP". But which way were they stored in the box, face up or face down?

This Delco/Eaton part shows it is stamped..."Store This Face Down" stamped on both ears of the face. Further research tells me that the hub shaft seal was the problem on this type and the clutch would leak the silicone fluid if stored "face-up/hub down".


However, other manufacturers(Sachs) stated to store their fan clutches face up, as the fluid could leak out the pin valve under the coil spring. That's what happened to the older Delco unit I had.

Here on a different part, the box is marked "THIS SIDE UP" but I wonder which way was the part placed in the box. Hard to see if anything is stamped on the face of this one.


I suppose the safest way to store any fan clutch is in the "as installed" position.... i.e vertical.

Rich