Fan clutch question on 1960 390

[hirvine]

Hello:

This forum has been quite helpful to me in the past.

I have a 1960 Cad with a rebuilt 390 (mostly stock, other than a little lower compression and a slightly hotter cam).  It has a big aluminum radiator and runs cool when driving, even at slow speed.  Once I stop and idle, the temp. starts climbing until I shut it off.  I suspect it is a bad fan clutch, even though some air is being pulled through at idle.  I am comfortable that the new Milodon high-flow therm. is working well.  Two questions:

Did this car have a clutch when new?
Can I remove the clutch and run it with a solid fan?

I live in LA, thanks

[V63]

Having 'cooked' 🔥 an engine due to a fan clutch failure ... with no warning, I am DONE with those! 🙅🏻‍♂️

I believe 🤔1960 might have been the first year for the fan clutch?

I like the GM flex fan offered about 1974, 😊 they are quiet and effective.

Aftermarket versions are fine too,  HOWEVER many are too aggressive and 747 ✈️ noisy😱....

I called a manufacturer and they directed me to a mild 'street' version that was perfectly acceptable.

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Starting in 1960 when equipped with air conditioning.

[60eldo]

    I have a 60 with A/C, and it has a clutch fan that is siezed. Runs cool always at 180-200.

[robert G. smits]

V63, do you recall the brand and model number of your flex fan, thanks

[76eldo]

I think I have a good used clutch unit from a low mileage 60 with AC.

[V63]

V63, do you recall the brand and model number of your flex fan, thanks

I do not🥺, but I called a manufacturer (Hayden?) and I asked for a mild 'street Versión' and they gave me a part number. It was the perfect solution. You will NEED a spacer as well, I believe it's about 1.5" for the 390, you want the replacement fan blades in the approximate same plane.

Many flex fan versions (HD and race) are very aggressive and noise will be an issue. The flex fan allows the blades to straighten when traveling air flow is sufficient.  Conserving energy and noise.

A fan clutch can fail without any warning and effectively there is not sufficient air  being pulled thru the radiator. Your first warning is the TEMP light is on, in my case I was in heavy traffic and when I got it curb side engine was toast. Had to do a head job. Fool me once shame on fan clutch ...fool me twice, well Not happening as I remove them.

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

The temp gauge should provide plenty of advance warning of overheating, no?

[V63]

You might not be aware that many Cadillac years only have warning light✅ like 1969 and up???
what would endear anyone to a fan clutch that can fail yet give the illusion its functioning?

I simply eliminate that future possibility. Don't know of too many flex fans that fail save for the fan belt driving it🙄

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

The trouble with the Flex Fan is that even though they are designed to straighten out when spinning fast, they, like any spinning object, can fail, and when they do, boy, what a mess.

The good thing about the Viscous Fans, is that they do exactly the same thing, but move more air, due to the aggressiveness of the angle of the blades.

The big problem with the Flex Fan is that they are mostly an aftermarket build, and are usually smaller in diameter than the OEM fans, and therefore, when installed in a car that uses a fan shroud, with large gaps around the outside circumference, do not work very efficiently as a standard fan.

The larger the gap between the blade tips and the shroud, the less efficient the fan.

Plus, at speeds over say 35 MPH, there is sufficient air pressure in front of the vehicle to force cooling air through the radiator so that a fan ends up becoming an unneeded piece.   I have proved this in my Hot Rods.

Bruce.

[V63]

They absolutely offer flex fans in correct size, and that is encouraged. Agree also no fan is needed at A consistent travel speed as suggested 35 mph. The probability of a fan clutch failure is significantly higher than a flex fan for street use.
I'm sure there are many an owner with a heating issue and the fan clutch is completely off the radar. I just suggested that to a guy with his vehicle after he was at wits end as to the problem. I have no more fan clutch concerns as I junk them post haste.

[76eldo]

Normally a 1960 will run nice and cool even in the summer.
I'd suggest you have another problem like possible a clogged radiator.