I think I counted 11 blades on the black fan blade, but I guess you're right, most of the time, the pictures are totally different from the actual product...pisses me off sometimes....
http://catalog.worldpac.com/mercedesshop/sophio/image.jsp?title=Fan%20Blade&url=http%3A//img.eautopartscatalog.com/live/G5050175130OES.JPG

Yes jeremy, that is the part number that I am referring to: 6062000123

and everytime I key in that part number at the BuyParts website, it directs me to this link:
http://catalog.worldpac.com/mercedesshop/sophio/quote.jsp?header=header.jsp&footer=&product=6062000123&partner=mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&cookieid=2E70WNSVV2EW11BQDR

In your attached picture, the 9-blade plastic one also have that in a 4 bolt pattern usually used in 617s, but right now, I still prefer my 9-blade aluminums over it because it has more pitch angle and more air flow at idle compared with the plastic.

...and yes, we don't want to try that with our fingers, our diesel MBs are torquey....

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'85 300D Turbo - CA Version

Right now, this is the kind of clutch that I'm using:
http://catalog.worldpac.com/mercedesshop/sophio/image.jsp?title=Fan%20Clutch&url=http%3A//img.eautopartscatalog.com/live/G501015463BEH.JPG

and this is the 9-blade aluminum fan that goes with it:
http://catalog.worldpac.com/mercedesshop/sophio/image.jsp?title=Fan%20Blade&url=http%3A//img.eautopartscatalog.com/live/G505015469OES.JPG

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'85 300D Turbo - CA Version

I dont know if this is the correct way to get the info out, but this thread helped me with my 1987 300d with om603 alot so i just wanted to clarify some things that were not clear and i learned making the repair....I ordered the fan and clutch part#s 606 200 01 22 and 606 200 01 23 as per this thread for my car intending to also get the bolts from dealer as described when fan and clutch arrived..But as my luck is the fan clutch arrived first and the fan was not going to come till the next day.. so I started the repair anyways to get as far as possible...while doing this i found out that the two clutches are fully interchangable in the OEM metal fan on my om603 with old bolts and all.. so i proceeded to put everything back together and tested it out in vegas 105 degree days with air conditioner on up hills and sitting at traffic lights... worked flawless right at 90c traveling and 95c at lights without aux. fan running...prior i was creeping to 110c+ at lights with aux. fan jumped to run constant without a/c on..The result being i had a plastic fan that was not necessary in the end..I was able to sell it to another member though..So i hope this helps anyone with a running hot issue that just wants to buy the approx $150.00 om606 fan clutch versus the special order 300.00 om603 OEM fan clutch and is ok with the existing metal fan...Thanks to all forum members for the input in these threads they saved me $150.00 just on this one necessary repair...I see alot of running hot threads in the summer most likely caused by long over due fan clutches
P.S. I dont know about other engines but i would assume the 5 cylinder diesel Om602?? would be the same repair..

Arlo

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W211 E550
HVAC/R Certified Technician

If this guy sells anything, he made everything quick and painless (something like an eBay feedback)! Thanks again man!

The fan & clutch mating could be a matter of the clutch's ability to engage the different mass of the metal vs the plastic fan.

It could also be the RPM limit of the plastic vs metal fan as the clutch has an RPM limiting feature (does not run the full/max. RPM of the engine).

Personally, without knowing the specifics on each fan and clutch, I'd lean toward keeping the plastic fan with the matching clutch and metal fan with its matching clutch.

BTW, the 350SDL also had a plastic fan, is the clutch the same as the 606 or the 603.96x? I believe that the 602 metal fan is different as the 602 metal fan has even spacing between the blades and the 602 blades are spaced irregularly. I bought a new OEM clutch for my 602 turbo for $180 about a year ago.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Copy that, I was not sure about any other engines...I thought about the mass and spinning weight and was ok with it.. but did not think of the rpm limiting but so far no problems, I dont have a baseline comparison due to the clutch was out when i got the car but i dont feel it runs too much or not enough but only time will tell...my poor car was abused so im not sure if it will make another 200,000 miles for alot of worn out components and original trans just want to keep her on the road as long as possible without spending un needed money it needs plenty of other repairs like injector nozzles and balance, glow plugs, sun roof parts and still has #14 head but i will kick my self if clutch fails prematurely..but if the tranny lets go i think ill go for a unabused w124 and save this one for donor parts..I didnt realize the MB bug you get when you have one till i got my first..

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W211 E550
HVAC/R Certified Technician

I have a new om603 fan clutch on the white 9 blade fan, would it be of any advantage to now change to the 11 blade black fan? im not overhearing.

If you aren't overheating or running warm, no there isn't any benefit. It does help the A/C to an extent on hot days in slow traffic.

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Current stable:
1995 E320 157K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 125K (SLoL)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

Gone and wanting to forget:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™) [Definitely NOT a Benz]