Visco Fan!
 

what fan can I use to replace my viscous fan clutch? I prefer to have a standard mechanical fan that will bolt on directly.

How about factory parts? Only problem with them is they're expensive...

refill the fan if you are in a pinch and the bearing is good (no wobble or screech) dont skimp on the fan as you require it.

You can also install an electric fan and separate controller to run it variably. But its cost is quite high for the full setup

no fan,and running electric can save up to 12 hp,on some motors.changing all of mine to electric

I intend to change mine for electric... for the $300 it costs to replace the 603 fan I think I can get something nice going.

-J

I just want a good mechanical fan, don't really care about hp or electric, just don't want viscous fan

OK use a flex fan from JEGS Performance Auto Parts - Holley - Billet Specialties - Edelbrock - MSD - Moroso - Mr Gasket

Ha! The cost of upgrading to an electric fan, plus the work in mounting it and running the wiring, the visco fan isn't looking so bad after all. I'll just tighten it up tomorrow so it runs as a regular mechanical fan. Cheers everyone!

I tried replacing the visco clutch with a bolted on fan on my '71 220 (115 chassis). The fan noise was ridiculous so I swapped it back.

All mechanical fans have the viscous clutch. You could probably fabricate a piece if you just want to hard-couple it to the engine, but I've never seen any pre-made items. I recommend just getting a Meyle replacement and moving on.

the fan blade wheel is not designed to spin up to high rpm, the visco clutch is there for 2 jobs,

one to freewheel when the clutch is cold and then to freewheel at high rpm even when the clutch is hot. You do not want it blowing apart at high rpm and take out the radiator etc.

So do not lock it. If you are on a budget proceed to a hobby store and get some RC diff fluid about 8000 wt and fill about 5 or 8 cc and test again.

^^Agreed.

Worst case, the blades can break and fly off..

I have read somewhere that fans are balanced? I.e. you have to mark them before you remove it like you would a driveshaft?

Just wondering, because the above conversation makes me think these are not balanced. I.e. you can buy a new fan blade and pop it on.

Food for thought. If you replace the viscous fan with an electric fan, you won't gain HP or MPG. If the fan is off, there is little load on the engine. If the electric fan is on, the alternator has to supply the power to run it. Believe me, for the same air flow and cooling the viscous fan puts less load on the engine than the electric fan. If the electric fan used less power for the same output then you are getting something for nothing. Ain't going to happen.

Paul

Yes, but an electric fan can be shut off completely whereas the visco fan is always taking some power. Plus you can get better control of it and only run it when it needs to run.

-J