Mike T.

I found this info while searching and was wondering if anyone on here has tried this.

Thanks

Airflow can be changed by increasing the action of the clutch or going
to a steeper pitch fan and/or one with more blades. GM uses 5 and 7
blade asymmetric fans that DO NOT FLEX. ANY flex fan is the wrong
solution for real cooling above an idle. To learn how to set the fan
clutch spring, find a junk one or remove yours. Heat the spring
briefly with a lighter keeping the flame moving. Watch the direction
that the center shaft turns. This is what happens when the air temp goes
up and the spring issues an engage order to the clutch. Let it cool, and
un-hook the spring. Rotate the spring/shaft to the end of travel. You
will want to move the loose spring end by 1/8 to 1/4 inch for each
adjustment. If you cause the shaft to be more in the same direction as
it went when heated, you will make the fan begin to lock up at lower
temperatures. The other way will make it more lazy, and allow higher
water temps before the fan begins to help.

93flatbed

I've heard of it, never tried it myself. But it's in my opinion that if you are having over heating problems then this would be a covering up another problem. Is your truck running hot or something.

BearKiller

On edit :

I will amend my previous statement to say :

EVERY fan-clutch I have ever owned has been JUNK !!! , and I have owned many.


I experimented with that bending the spring tab business, along with a hundred other fixes and solutions to try to make a fan-clutch actually engage.

Of the many engines/vehicles I have had with fan-clutches, I have yet to have one that ever actually engaged.


For years, I have been "pinning" the clutch, thus making it direct drive.


Lately, I discovered a source for genuine direct-drive fan hubs that fit these engines.

I ordered and installed one on my personal truck and I ain't looking back.

As soon as time and cash allows, I am getting them for the rest of our Cummins fleet.

BC847

In your opinion.

I respectfully disagree.

I've had nothing but good results from the stock/OEM fan clutch. I think the biggest issue folks have with it is the lack of an intact fan shroud (it gets busted and then removed).

johnh

me too!!!!!

Douglas2

hey-Hey!!!,
Mine feels like somebody attached a trailer to it when the fan comes on...not to mention getting a lot noisier; no way I'd consider defeating the fan clutch. Last trip into PA I had it engage towards the top of a few climbs around State College ( 7 Mountains going EB, and climbing up the hill before Phillipsburg ). This well loaded with stuff in the bed and AC on. It went back to open as soon as the radiator cooled. What I'd like is an air dam and some louvers at the front of the hood. Both would add to the 'cool' factor too... and I happen to have a spare hood...
cheers,
Douglas

Mike T.

My truck has never overheated but it gets pretty warm when I'm towing
10k. I've installed a new oem clutch and fan that's for a 2001 but haven't towed with it yet. The clutch for the 01 is a lot beefier than my stock clutch. I was just wondering if anyone has had success trying adjusting the spring.

Thanks for the replies.

BearKiller

In all respect, I am sure there are some that have had excellent results with the O.E.M. system and that is all well and good; alas, I am just not one of them.

I amended my previous statement a bit.

Myself, I have no confidence whatsoever in any standard-type fan-clutch.

When the wife's truck was still new to us, we took it to an auto-A/C shop and had the entire A/C system replaced new --- everything but the ducts and vents.

They got the A/C ready in a couple days, but kept stalling us off about the truck being ready to pick up.

Finally, they told us that they had tried every new fan-clutch that could be had in the tri-county area and hadn't got a good one yet; they were waiting on the regional warehouse to get more in.

I asked them what went with our old one.

They fished it out of the dumpster, I took it home, pinned it solid, brought it back to them and put it on the engine and said "now try her"; PROBLEM SOLVED.

maybe368

I have never been aware of the fan clutch. Can't hear it, don't know when it engages, nada. I do have a repaired shroud and I agree that this is a very important part of the cooling system. I have a Porsche 912, air cooled of course, but a really important component of the system is the series of "tins" that surround the engine and direct the air to where it's needed. On my truck I just watch the temp gauge and respond to problems. Also, by running 100% antifreeze, I never see corrosion problems, like corroded water pumps or blocked up radiators. I also live where cooling is pretty important...Mark

maybe368

I would gladly exchange my no problem fan clutch for a no problem brake system......Mark

BearKiller

I will add that the only truck on the place that is lacking a fan-shroud is my personal Ford/Cummins and I am currently in the process of fabricating one.

Every Dodge/Cummins on the place has a perfect intact shroud.

Polaraco

That proceedure shortens the life of the internal clutch.

The best clutch is a factory OE replacement

I went electric and love it.

BearKiller

Electric clutch or electric fans ???

james1

Same here. Should I know when it engages? I assume this component can be important for increasing one's fuel mileage?

Polaraco

Electric fans. They can be adjusted to kick in as soon as the stat opens. I have mine set at minimum which is around 180

Flex-a-lite makes the best ones. 3 years old so far