Fan Clutch Destruction (DUW)

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Fan Clutch Destruction (DUW)

May 28, 2005, 01:05:12 AM

I got a call from my brother mid-day last week, which only means one thing...the Cougar had broken down (he is borrowing it until he gets a real job this fall). He said it overheated and white smoke was coming out everywhere. He also told me the fan wasn't there anymore. I had replaced the water pump a while back, so I thought I hadn't torqued the bolts sufficiently and began to mentally pen 15-punch myself for my mistake. When I came in town that weekend, I found the culprit.

The damage was pretty minor for a clutch separation.

The destruction ended up having a positive. I noticed that my Tbird's fan clutch was ready to separate. The bearing seal had popped off and several ball bearings had escaped. Below you can see the progression from new to almost broke to real broke.

I didn't reuse the Cougar's fan blade because I was worried the impact had damaged the fan's integrity. I gave him the Tbird's fan and got a flex fan for myself until I slap in a 94-97 MN12 fan.

It certainly is as loud as the anecdotes I have heard.

Re: Fan Clutch Destruction (DUW)

Reply #1 – May 28, 2005, 10:35:27 AM

I'm sorta glad to be rid of the flex fan I put on my 3.8 for awhile. It seems to be doing much better with the clutch fan I swapped over from my '88's 5.0.. although it's a tight fit. The extra noise is amusing at first, but between that and this half-assed exhaust we put on the car after the old one got forcibly removed, it was just too much noise. Also, it seems that the 5.0's clutch fan keeps the car much cooler than even that 18" flex fan could. When I would sit with it idling and the A/C on, the temperature would slowly creep towards 210.. with this fan, I can do the same and it sits right around 192. (the thermostat is a 192) But thanks to going back to the clutch fan, the engine seems a little more responsive.

Re: Fan Clutch Destruction (DUW)

Reply #2 – May 28, 2005, 12:49:34 PM

wow... ive never had that happen before. I guess in a way it could have been worse,

Re: Fan Clutch Destruction (DUW)

Reply #3 – May 28, 2005, 12:50:31 PM

OOOOOOOOOOO flex fan,scary.
Thoses fans have been known to come apart and send a blade right through your hood,or what ever offending body part that is in the way.

Re: Fan Clutch Destruction (DUW)

Reply #4 – May 28, 2005, 12:52:17 PM

Here's how I eliminated my clutch fan, electric fan from a 3.8 Taurus/Continental. :D

Re: Fan Clutch Destruction (DUW)

Reply #5 – May 28, 2005, 05:22:53 PM

I installed a new NAPA water pump a few years ago and two days later the on the shaft slid off. Belt pully, fan the whole shebang into the radiator. Luckly I was close to home.
NAPA gave me a new radiator and pump. Maybe I should have asked for a new fan and clutch too.

Re: Fan Clutch Destruction (DUW)

Reply #6 – May 28, 2005, 06:02:50 PM

Quote from: cougarman

Here's how I eliminated my clutch fan, electric fan from a 3.8 Taurus/Continental. :D

Nice radiator bracket ya got there. :D

Re: Fan Clutch Destruction (DUW)

Reply #7 – May 28, 2005, 06:45:07 PM

Quote from: Bird351

Nice radiator bracket ya got there. :D

Thanks. :tg:

Re: Fan Clutch Destruction (DUW)

Reply #8 – June 01, 2005, 01:59:43 PM

I had that happen to my '89 F-150, with 302.
it tore hell out of stuff; new radiator, fan, water pump, and both rad. hoses, and was back in business.
The female (who shall remain nameless) passenger, said she saw a large metallic oblect exit the vehicle at a high rate of speed, on the pass. side...in the dark!

My question is this: would a too tight belt cause this?
Because about a week before this, I broke the original serp. belt on that truck, and replaced it with one from a 302 out of a GM/CV/TC...
Anywho, it cost me some bucks, radiator was over 350 dollars.

Re: Fan Clutch Destruction (DUW)

Reply #9 – June 01, 2005, 03:29:11 PM

im needing to replace the fan clutch on my 88 mustang, the clutch is frozen so the fan constantly spins and the temp never goes above the 1st line on the gauge. could also be from previous owner ****ing up whitefaced gauge install or other odds and ends, but im betting thats the main culprit.