Need Fan clutch for 440

[The_Handier_Man1]

From: EmployedJoan  (Original Message)
Sent: 12/3/2003 2:40 PM

I have a 1979 Winnebago Brave witha Dodge 440 engine.  The fan clutch is bad and I am having a hard time finding a new one.  I have checked the auto parts dealers in my area with no luck!  Does anyone know where to get this part?

Joan



From: dave76Chieftain
Sent: 12/3/2003 4:06 PM

Joan
NAPA online indicates they have standard (PN GA 771305) and heavyduty (GA 771303) fan clutches.  You could call and find out availability.  I entered 1979 Dodge Truck M300 1 ton 440CI for criteria.  NAPA site says "usually ships in 24 hrs".  Give them a call (TOLL FREE at (877) 805-6272 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST, Monday-Friday).  They typically are very good about having things.
Also, almost all auto supply houses I have dealt with can order parts in.  Sometimes takes a few days though typically it's next day delivery.

Dave



From: EmployedJoan
Sent: 12/3/2003 7:16 PM

Dave,

Thanks for the info.  I have been working with a person at NAPA and will have them check those numbers.  I'll let you know what I find out.

Joan



From: rshaw500
Sent: 12/4/2003 6:19 PM

I was able to get a fan clutch for my 79 winnie brave through NAPA with absolutely no problem.
Rick



From: mightybooboo
Sent: 12/4/2003 6:51 PM

" was able to get a fan clutch for my 79 winnie brave through NAPA with absolutely no problem."

DITTO! And an easy replacement too!
BooBoo



From: denison
Sent: 12/5/2003 7:24 AM

If you take the old fan clutch with you, someone should be able to match it - the mounting bolt patterns are fairly standard, though there are more than one. An important dimension is the diameter of the pilot hole in the clutch, i.e. the part that fits over the end of the water pump shaft. That must be correct to keep the fan clutch and fan centered. Could be 5/8 or 3/4, etc. As for the rpm at which the fan clutch lets the engine speed up but not the fan, anything you get is probably going to be better than the old one. My 72 winny does nicely with a fan clutch from a mid 70s Oldsmobile v8. denison



From: EmployedJoan
Sent: 12/5/2003 8:17 AM

I have another question about the fan clutch for my 79 Brave.  The one at NAPA is a thermostatic fan clutch.  The one I took off of my rig is a centrifugal.   Can these be interchanged



From: denison
Sent: 12/5/2003 2:48 PM

I believe the thermostatic fan clutch is Also a centrifugal fan clutch, but with the extra thermostatic function. Besides the centrifugally based slippage, it also adjusts the final slip speed of the fan based on the temperature of the air coming through the radiator. That is to say, at a given highway speed, the fan would be allowed to spin slower on a cold day, when you don't need the extra cooling, than it would on a hot day, when the clutch would make the fan spin faster. Thermostatic/centrifugal is a little better than just centrifugal. Also costs more. denison



From: Discoverer
Sent: 12/6/2003 10:39 AM

a Thermo and cent fan clutch are not the same - they "work" on different principles. And if you want to put some $$$ in your pocket as far as mpg - get rid of both types and put on a big electric. The reason? - past idling the motor, the mechanical ones run all the time(and at speed - they are not needed) - since the normal air movement through the rad is enough in itself.



From: denison
Sent: 12/6/2003 5:03 PM

I have thought about using an electric fan, but decided not to, even if I got a freebie on the otherwise expensive heavy duty big fan. My reasons:
* A fan rated for big blocks and the 6 ton gross wt of my winny would require that I weld up modified replacements for the two coach cross braces that go across in front of my 413 radiator about half way up, or the fan would not fit well. Then since my wife, daughters and in-laws also drive my winny, I would need a workable thermal switch and relay, in addition to a manual switch for the fan, or eventually it would overheat when they forgot to turn the fan on.
* I regard the mechanical fan as being more reliable, given that you do need to periodically replace the fan clutch and the water pump that holds it up -- about every 28 years in my case. I replace my fan belts about every 5 to 7 years anyway. On the other hand I see too many cases of failed electric fan switches ruining engines in front wheel drive cars that are much younger than my Winny.
* I like keeping the old vehicle original when I can, and the only time it has run hot in the 12 years of my ownership was when the radiator was over 9 years dirty and leaking, not because the fan wasn't doing its job.
* The big reason though, was my doubt that the electric fan would provide enough cooling air flow when driving up long steep grades in the Rockies, or even the Applachians if I were towing a car. I have done both, and learned that my Winny will get through the passes nicely, but above 8000 feet I might be in first gear, the throttle wide open, going less than 30 mph with the engine turning at 3000 rpm, and needing all the cooling that engine driven fan could provide. Including the blast of air over the exhaust manifolds. I dont want to be pulling over to reinstall the mechanical fan - it takes quite a while. denison



From: EmployedJoan
Sent: 12/12/2003 12:18 PM

Thanks for all your help on getting the fan clutch.  I had no problem getting it at my NAPA dealer.  Now, as soon as I have time, I will get it back on.  I also bought a new water pump as the one on the rig looked original.  I now have the radiator in the shop for a pressure check and to make sure it doesn't leak.

Thanks again for all your help.

Joan



From: dave76Chieftain
Sent: 12/12/2003 12:35 PM

Joan,
I am sure this is from all of us:
Your very welcome.  At some point or another we all need help working out something with our Winne's.  Good luck and let us know how it all works out.

Dave



From: mightybooboo
Sent: 12/12/2003 1:31 PM

Joan,smart to replace the whole system since you went this far already,get a new thermostat and take the old one with you,truck 440-3 and car 440-1 are different.Replace the hoses and check the radiator overflow is present and  works,these are hot running engines.Get a new rad cap.Do that and you will never overheat and be as good as new.Did I forget anything?This may be a double post,something wierd just happened.
BooBoo



From: EmployedJoan
Sent: 5/5/2004 11:25 AM

Finally able to get back to you all.  The fan clutch is in.  Also had to have a new fan blade as the old one did not line up with the mounting holes on the fan clutch.  The radiator was almost completely plugged, so had it recored.  Ended up putting all new hoses, belts, radiator caps, and replaced the motor on the windshield washers.

Took is for a run last weekend to Corpus Christi and everything worked great.  No more overheating!!!

Thanks again for all the help and encouragement in getting  'Braveheart ' on the road again.

Joan



From: denison
Sent: 5/5/2004 1:58 PM

Great to hear - thanks for the update.