Fan Clutch

BarryK · 08-16-05, 01:16 PM

ok, went to replace my fan clutch this morning. I removed the 4 bolts holding the fan blade onto the pulley but the unit wouldn't come off. I tried to gently wiggle it and tried to pull it straight out and it wouldn't budge. The only place to grab onto is really the blades so I had to be careful so as not to accidently bend them but got nowhere.
Am I missing something obvious, am I just being dumb about something, or am i just being too careful and too gentle? I know if I accidently bend the blades I'm screwed so don't want to really put any more force on them than I already did.

Subfixer · 08-16-05, 01:26 PM

This is a stupid question, but I have to ask.... You did remove the bolts that thread into the waterpump, right? Not the ones that hold the fan blade to the clutch.

If so, then it's just stuck on the waterpump shaft. Just have to keep wiggling until it comes off. As you said, be careful it doesn't bounce off the radiator when it finally breaks loose.

BarryK · 08-16-05, 01:33 PM

Paul, when it comes to ME, nothing would be a stupid question!

the 4 bolts I removes were the ones on the pulley that the shaft looks like it's slides into (or is that just a plate at the end of the shaft that the bolts go thru?)

I haven't yet touched the nuts that are on the fan blade assembly itself that the fan clutch is held on by.

Subfixer · 08-16-05, 01:49 PM

Sounds like you have the right ones. The bolts go through a flange on the clutch assembly, through the pulley and into a threaded flange in the waterpump shaft.

The center of the waterpump shaft protrudes through the pulley and into a recess in the clutch shaft. This is where it usually gets a little corrosion and gets stuck. Other than the 4 bolts, there's nothing else holding it on.

vette-dude · 08-16-05, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarryK

Paul, when it comes to ME, nothing would be a stupid question!

the 4 bolts I removes were the ones on the pulley that the shaft looks like it's slides into (or is that just a plate at the end of the shaft that the bolts go thru?)

I haven't yet touched the nuts that are on the fan blade assembly itself that the fan clutch is held on by.

You are doing it right you just need to hold your mouth right to get the fan hub off the water pump. Wiggle it back and forth. Put some penetrating oil on it if it is rusted and leave it set for awhile. I have even resorted to smacking the hub gently with a brass drift. Be careful as it will go into the radiator if you get too violent. Here's a website that may help.

http://web.ask.com/web?q=fan+clutch+removal&qsrc=0&o=0

Randy

Subfixer · 08-16-05, 01:53 PM

Barry, here's a good pick of the back side of mounting flange on the clutch from the website shown above:

allcoupedup · 08-16-05, 01:55 PM

When you install the new one, you might want to consider applying a dab of anti-sieze where the shaft inserts into the fan clutch. Also, the one I bought from Autozone had a small bushing so it would fit on the small early style water pumps. Be sure to use this to ensure a tight (and centered) fit if the kit comes with it.

Brian

Subfixer · 08-16-05, 01:55 PM

Duh.... you have a new one in your garage. Guess you really didn't need that picture.

vette-dude · 08-16-05, 01:57 PM

Thanks for posting the pics Paul. I haven't figure out how to do that yet. Computer impaired am I!!

Randy

BarryK · 08-16-05, 01:58 PM

thanks everyone!
i'll go back and give it another try.

Thanks for the link Randy. Hey, just tried the link and it only takes me to the search page on Ask Jeeves. Do you have a direct link to the article?

Brian, yes, mine came with the small bushing and I wasn't sure if I was going to need it or not so it's nice to have the answer on that.

Mike McKown · 08-16-05, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarryK

Paul, when it comes to ME, nothing would be a stupid question!

the 4 bolts I removes were the ones on the pulley that the shaft looks like it's slides into (or is that just a plate at the end of the shaft that the bolts go thru?)

I haven't yet touched the nuts that are on the fan blade assembly itself that the fan clutch is held on by.

Hand start one of your hub bolts 4-5 turns back in the water pump hub. This will keep your fan from flying off and knocking a hole in your radiator. I've found it helpful to use a very sharp chisel or blade and tap it down between the fan clutch and the water pump pulley when they are stuck. When you get it loose, pull the hand started bolt out and you should be in business.

Subfixer · 08-16-05, 02:07 PM

Good tip, I should have remembered that.

BarryK · 08-16-05, 02:14 PM

i'm still fighting it so thanks for the tip Mike

08-16-05, 02:37 PM

stupid question #27 : have you loosened the alt and the belt, so there is no tension on the pulley and studs?

ps Barry, glad to see you digging into it buddy!

BarryK · 08-16-05, 02:46 PM

Jack

no I haven't and don't really want to because I'd have no idea how to get the belts back to proper tension afterwards.

I just fought with it for another 20 minutes and it won't budge........... call me a wuss but I gave up. I put the bolts back in, tightened them up and I'm leaving it now.
Car goes back to the paint shop tomorrow and I get it back next week just before Carlisle so it will have to survive the way it is until I get back from the show and maybe I can talk one of my Vette Club members to stop over and help me.

I feel horrible, this should have been an easy job I thought but because I'm too afraid of screwing something up like bending the fan blades and not having time to fix anything else if I do screw up I guess this one beat me for now

I'd rather call it quits for now instead of damaging something or getting in over my head and than not having enough time to fix the mess before tomorrow morning.
Damn, I hate failure!