Clutch fan blades snapped & put a hole in my radiator
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Clutch fan blades snapped & put a hole in my radiator
Hello all! I’m a new Third gen owner, recently bought an ‘82 Trans Am. I don’t know much about working on cars; but I’m learning!
I was driving today and went into third and I heard a snap; one of the blades on my clutch fan ripped off, another one loosened, and put a bunch of holes in my radiator. I’m wondering how difficult it is to replace the radiator & cooling fan and what I shoudl get for the car.
I’ve got a small block 355 in it & a super T10 4 speed trans, if this is relevant. The only thing that appears broken is the radiator core itself and the blades on the cooling fan. Thank you!
I was driving today and went into third and I heard a snap; one of the blades on my clutch fan ripped off, another one loosened, and put a bunch of holes in my radiator. I’m wondering how difficult it is to replace the radiator & cooling fan and what I shoudl get for the car.
I’ve got a small block 355 in it & a super T10 4 speed trans, if this is relevant. The only thing that appears broken is the radiator core itself and the blades on the cooling fan. Thank you!
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 4,174
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From: Meriden, CT 06451
Car: 84 TA orig. 305 LG4 "H" E4ME
Engine: 334 SBC - stroked 305 M4ME Q-Jet
Transmission: upgraded 700R4 3200 stall
Axle/Gears: 10bolt 4.10 Posi w Lakewood TA Bars
Re: Clutch fan blades snapped & put a hole in my radiator
First, you have to determine WHY this happened.
Did the fan belt snap and get caught up in the blades?
Or did something bind up?
You don't want to just replace parts only to have the same thing happen again.
Did the fan belt snap and get caught up in the blades?
Or did something bind up?
You don't want to just replace parts only to have the same thing happen again.
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Re: Clutch fan blades snapped & put a hole in my radiator
Alright! I’m not 100% sure. I think the bolts were loose, because some of the other ones were starting to come off as well. I’ll take a closer look at it. I bought it two weeks ago so I’m getting used to it
Joined: Sep 2005
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Car: Yes
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Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Re: Clutch fan blades snapped & put a hole in my radiator
I don't think I've ever heard of that happening.
The fan itself has no bolts AFAIK. Just rivets.
Sounds almost like the fan was in a wreck or something. (not necessarily "the car", just, the fan) Had to have been damaged before any of this could have come about.
It is quite say to replace both the rad and the fan. I suggest NOT getting a "flex" fan, like some seem to think is a good idea. A good, undamaged STOCK one from just about any car or truck of the same era, plus a GOOD QUALITY thermostatic (NOT "centrifugal") clutch, will make it like new again.
Of course, now would be a GREAT time to consider a modern electric fan, and get your other 12 or 15 HP back. You may need to beef up your alternator a bit for that though.
The fan itself has no bolts AFAIK. Just rivets.
Sounds almost like the fan was in a wreck or something. (not necessarily "the car", just, the fan) Had to have been damaged before any of this could have come about.
It is quite say to replace both the rad and the fan. I suggest NOT getting a "flex" fan, like some seem to think is a good idea. A good, undamaged STOCK one from just about any car or truck of the same era, plus a GOOD QUALITY thermostatic (NOT "centrifugal") clutch, will make it like new again.
Of course, now would be a GREAT time to consider a modern electric fan, and get your other 12 or 15 HP back. You may need to beef up your alternator a bit for that though.
Re: Clutch fan blades snapped & put a hole in my radiator
A common killer of clutch fans is when the clutch goes bad and no longer releases the fan. The fan should turn freely when the engine is cold. When it always sounds like an 18 wheeler on an on ramp under your hood driving around town, it can be a good indicator the clutch is locked up. Leave it long enough and the fans can take a beating. It's especially bad on some cars that have plastic fans since they get brittle with age, and explode at high rpm.
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Re: Clutch fan blades snapped & put a hole in my radiator
I don't think I've ever heard of that happening.
The fan itself has no bolts AFAIK. Just rivets.
Sounds almost like the fan was in a wreck or something. (not necessarily "the car", just, the fan) Had to have been damaged before any of this could have come about.
It is quite say to replace both the rad and the fan. I suggest NOT getting a "flex" fan, like some seem to think is a good idea. A good, undamaged STOCK one from just about any car or truck of the same era, plus a GOOD QUALITY thermostatic (NOT "centrifugal") clutch, will make it like new again.
Of course, now would be a GREAT time to consider a modern electric fan, and get your other 12 or 15 HP back. You may need to beef up your alternator a bit for that though.
The fan itself has no bolts AFAIK. Just rivets.
Sounds almost like the fan was in a wreck or something. (not necessarily "the car", just, the fan) Had to have been damaged before any of this could have come about.
It is quite say to replace both the rad and the fan. I suggest NOT getting a "flex" fan, like some seem to think is a good idea. A good, undamaged STOCK one from just about any car or truck of the same era, plus a GOOD QUALITY thermostatic (NOT "centrifugal") clutch, will make it like new again.
Of course, now would be a GREAT time to consider a modern electric fan, and get your other 12 or 15 HP back. You may need to beef up your alternator a bit for that though.
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