Engine Which fan clutch ?

AnthonyA1234 · Jun 22, 2026

I’m constantly replacing fan clutches in my car they always start whining and being super loud after like 3 or 4 months and showing reduced engine and AC cooling at idle. I’ve tried heavy duty and standard duty both sucked for me although standard seemed to be quieter at first till it went bad.

Which should I be buying standard or heavy duty? I just want something that’s quiet and actually lasts.

General karthief · Jun 22, 2026

I'd be concerned about why they are failing, most last for decades.

AnthonyA1234 · Jun 22, 2026

General karthief said:
I'd be concerned about why they are failing, most last for decades.

I thought that as well, what would cause that? It could very well be my water pump pulley /bearing cause I haven’t changed that is that the main culprit?

General karthief · Jun 22, 2026

Sure sounds good, no not really, I would be suspect poorly made parts but I don't have have hands on soooo,
Does it overheat?
What part number/brand part?

nicholase · Jun 25, 2026

I tried both types. The HD one was crazy loud all the time. By loud I mean the fan was being driven all the time. Sounded like a UPS truck.

I'm currently using the standard replacement. I got it from LMR. No problems with it. Is it leaking? They usually have printed on the box which way it should be shelved (stored). The fluid can leak out past the seal if its stored face up. Did the box look oily and damp?

nickyb · Jun 25, 2026

Ftw go electric, I've had the flexalite Black magic extreme fan on my daily driven 93lx for 19 years so far.
Oh by the way I live on the surface of the sun( nevada)

General karthief · Jun 25, 2026

I have the stock clutch fan stuff on mine but I really like the clean and (reasonable ly) quieter electric fans.

General karthief · Jun 25, 2026

Wait, is it possible the clutch was standard rotation?
I would think they a directional

Qtrhrse23 · Aug 21, 2026

Get yourself a Hayden 2723. Thats a non SSP unit so it will be quieter. I was never a fan of switching to electric, doesnt cool as well unless you get the perfect setup. And then it taxes the vatt/alt.

fasterthangas · Aug 21, 2026

Qtrhrse23 said:
Get yourself a Hayden 2723. Thats a non SSP unit so it will be quieter. I was never a fan of switching to electric, doesnt cool as well unless you get the perfect setup. And then it taxes the vatt/alt.

When you're sitting in traffic, how fast is that clutch fan spinning?

Electric fans wired properly with a good alternator don't tax the batt/alt. There's a reason new vehicles use electric fans.

If you're in a cooler climate they may work fine but not here in Satan's backyard.

AeroCoupe · Aug 22, 2026

I tried the HD clutch when I lived in SW Oklahoma as the standard clutch wasn’t cutting it and the HD struggled to keep up with a 3 core brass radiator (the old Godan unit from AutoZone) and a good factory fan and shroud.

Moved to a Mark VIII and DCC controller and zero issues. Later on I installed a big two core aluminum radiator due to the brass unit failing and repairing it was more than the aluminum one. Runs just as cool today as it did then.

Qtrhrse23 · Aug 22, 2026

fasterthangas said:
When you're sitting in traffic, how fast is that clutch fan spinning?

Electric fans wired properly with a good alternator don't tax the batt/alt. There's a reason new vehicles use electric fans.

If you're in a cooler climate they may work fine but not here in Satan's backyard.

As far as them failing, Ive seen it. BUT I NEVER had to replace one. Ive logged 400K miles AT LEAST(prolly 500K) fox body miles, never had to replace. In 3 different foxes.

Im in Texas, Six feet above hell(ex father in law).

Depends on the temp. If car is cold, its BARELY turning. If its hot(engine), its close to locked. Its the shroud that makes the difference is air THROUGH RADIATOR.

Yea electrics come with, but compare it to the one it replaces.

I Agree about the electric fans, BUT THE SHROUD ON NEWER CARS IS BUILT AROUNG THE ELECTRIC FANS. Like the clutch fan on a fox is built around the clutch fan. CHECK IT. Max temp WILL BE LOWER WITH CLUTCH FAN THAN ELECTRIC. I dont care if you have electrics on blasting from before cranking. Stuck in traffic you will see. Build a nice shroud around the fans, THEN YOU GOT ME. Until then...

Its just one of those "mods" that IMO isnt worth it. Does it make it faster? Better? Worth it? Not for me. But I CANT SPEAK FOR EVERYONE.

AeroCoupe · Aug 22, 2026

100% agree on the shroud. That and the side air deflectors and the air deflector under the radiator support.

fasterthangas · Aug 22, 2026

My electric fans have a shroud.

fasterthangas · Aug 22, 2026

fasterthangas · Aug 22, 2026

I've had clutch fans on numerous classic vehicles. My '66 F100 with a 7 blade clutch fan and shroud from a 70's Ford truck along with a 3 row Modine "Desert Cooler" brass and copper radiator, would overheat in the summer. City driving in the Phoenix heat was just too much. It couldn't cool down at traffic stops. The clutch fan was never running at 100%. The only thing close to running 100% was a HD clutch fan that was louder than heck.
I installed a Chrysler 300C dual electric fan on it and no more overheating. Instantly cured.

I went through the same with my Fox Body. When I installed the 347, I could not keep it cool. I couldn't run the a/c. Once I installed the Contour fans, all was great.

When Ron Davis builds a custom radiator for hot rods that can't stay cool in the Phoenix heat, he installs Maradyne electric fans. Depending on the year of the classic vehicle, they came from the factory with either a mechanical fan or clutch fan.

There is no doubt that properly set up electric fans outperform clutch fans on our cars.

I'll add to this. Electric fans on newer cars shut off at highway speeds unless the a/c is on. Why is that? The spinning fan actually blocks much of the incoming air through the radiator at highway speeds.

In cooler climates than Phoenix and Vegas, one might get away with a clutch fan. The application also dictates what works.

This reminds me of the old beliefs that:

A cooler thermostat makes the engine run cooler.

You need to slow the coolant flow down so it sits in the radiator longer.

"My car runs at 180° all of the time" as if the engine will melt if it hits one degree higher.

AeroCoupe · Aug 22, 2026

fasterthangas said:
"My car runs at 180° all of the time" as if the engine will melt if it hits one degree higher.

About drown myself in a cold beer mid drink laugh on that one.

Noobz347 · Aug 22, 2026

My clutch fan clears the driveway of leaves at idle after pulling through a 3-core and condenser.

I think I'll be ok.

If I ever did electric, I'd probably go for one of the newer brushless versions. Otherwise, the Mark VIII fans are the only ones that really come close to moving that air through the cores.

I would swap if I needed the room and/or more precise control.

fasterthangas · Aug 23, 2026

The brushless fans are definitely nice. My fans are dual SPAL's. They suck in small birds. I originally installed them when I had a 3" intercooler up front. That combo had a 2.5" radiator core, condenser and 3" intercooler. I could literally put a red shop rag on the front of the intercooler at idle and the suction would hold it there. Not bragging but it was impressive.

Mustang5L5 · Sep 19, 2026

fasterthangas said:
My electric fans have a shroud.

Same. Fits like a glove and keeps the car cool with the ac on.

Not knocking the simplicity of the fan clutch setup, but e-fans can be set up to be pretty darn reliable and efficient. I don’t even have my fan set to be on most of the time. Above 40mph it’s off.

Engine Which fan clutch ?

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

I lubed and pushed, until it was all the way in

I gotta say i never painted my nuts, Never Ever

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

Active Member

Active Member

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

Active Member

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

Active Member

Active Member

Active Member

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

Active Member

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

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