Since I tow at least 5 days a week with my truck and it is all two lane mountain roads my clutch fan isn't really keeping up like I want. It wasn't bad in the winter months but now that it's warming up it has to go. I replaced the clutch and it helped some but it waits to long in my opinion to kick in then by that time the tempurature is pretty warm and it just hangs there, I was wondering if anybody knew where I could get the adapter that replaces the clutch where I could make the fan that's on it now solid or at least put another fan on it that would run all the time. I do realize that it will eat some hp but it is already eating hp cause I have to keep my foot out of the throttle.


Chris

 

I'd try pulling some timing out of it before adding a fan that's on all the time. Also, maybe check for a fresh air restriction to the radiator. Anyway, I'm not sure what offerings are available for a solid mount fan.

 

If you are sure you want to eliminate the clutch, take it off the engine, drill through the whole thing, and "PIN" it with a Grade 8 bolt with nylock nut.

It will then turn all the time.

This is irreversible, so if your clutch is okay, you may want to experiment with a junkyard clutch.

I know this works; because, I have done it several times.

 

I noticed that you did not mention weather or not you have had your radiator rodded out lately. Mine did the same thing a few years ago and I to thought it was my clutch. Had the radiator taken apart and cleaned real good and the problem went away. Also, another problem could be the fins on the A/C radiator may be bent over from years of bugs banging their heads against it. That can cut off a lot of air flow. These cooling systems work great in my opinion. I just dont want to see someone doing something so extreme if it is not needed. Good luck.

 

My timing is only bumped about 1/8" and the truck doesn't get hot unless I am pulling a 9-11% grade that's 5-10 mile long, which I am usually pulling anywhere from 10-12,000#. Sometimes the clutch locks up in time and holds the tempurature down and I can keep my foot in the throttle, other times it doesn't and it goes up and I have to let out of it. That is why I believe if the fan ran all the time and didn't let it heat up at all it would solve my problem and save wear on my engine.

BearKiller,
I had thought of that but may want to keep the clutch I have for winter time, but the junkyard thing is a good idea if I can't find the adapter.

timb,
I have also had that same problem of needing the radiator rodded, but in this case I am sure that is not it, because the radiator is brand new and only a few months old, the fins on the A/C seem to be fine and I have pressure washed everything to clean it out too.

Chris

 

I may be old-timey, but I just don't like to trust stuff that is supposed to do my thinking for me.

Honestly, I do not trust any fan that isn't direct-drive.

The clutch is still active on both of my Cummins; but, let one give me the least reason, and that fan will be direct-drive/no-clutch.

I have owned and driven a host of non-clutch fanned vehicles that seemed to fare pretty well without the help of a clutch-fan.

Look around at some of the dozers, back-hoes, and farm-tractors that have this same engine and you might find a direct-drive fan assembly that you can use.

 

I assume you've got a mechanical temp gauge yes? If not, leave your fan clutch alone until you get one. Just doing something based only on the POS OEM gauges isn't very smart as they are not very reliable or accurate.

 

My temp was way high with heavy pulling but the problem was an aftermarket (not Cummins) thermostat. Turns out there's a coolant circuit in the CTDs from the t'stat housing back to the WP that the Cummins t'stat blocks when necessary and the others don't. Also I'm with BK on engineer-designed conveniences, particularly on older rigs. I pulled my fan and put in a switch/relay controlled electric fan. Advantage here is if my motor quits the fan will pull it ...

 

I'm with Bearkiller, I don't like automatic stuff that does things for me, just something else to break or not work when it is supposed to.
The thermostat I have is from NAPA and has seemed to serve pretty well, the reason I feel the problem is the fan and not the thermostat or just the gauge other parts of the cooling system is, when it runs the truck doesn't heat up, it is just when it decides it doesn't feel like running then kicks in to late I have problems.
I do know the factory gauges suck but if I let it, the guage will go all the way over to the H before the fan will run and if I am still pulling the mountain it won't go down till I let off it or top the mountain, just leads me to believe the fan is causing the problem even if the guage isn't very acurrate.


Chris

 

I cant find the part number but you can get a Fan Clutch Replacer for about 50 bucks.
Perma-Cool and Flex-a-lite make them

 

Why not install an electric fan. It can be thermostatic drive and you could put an override switch on the dash to turn it on whenever you feel the need??

 

The slick ticket would be an electricaly switched clutch like a big rig has.

 

That would definitly be the way to go if it were possible, or should I say possible in my price range!

As far as the electric fan, from what I have read on here they don't make any that pull enough air for our engines, if they do it is probably pretty expensive I would imagine.

NYCEGUY01,
If you could get me that part number or tell me where I could find it that, it would be the route I would probably go.


Chris

 

If it was mine, I would get a pusher fan from some car at the wrecking yard and hang it out front to see if more air flow helped before changing clutch fan.

 

I did away with the clutch, and it does keep it cooler. I sawed off the nut(it left hand and metric) portion of the clutch, and with a bit of machining and welding made a hub. I too see no piont in haveing a clutch on a truck meant for pulling, a daily driver maybe, but not if you are towing.