fan clutch problems

[icanfixall]

When replacing any radiator one MUST know what they are buying. The row count and fins per inch count is very important. You cannot expect a new 3 row with 12 fins per inch cool as well as the original 15 or 16 fins per inch 4 row radiators. New is not always better. Knowing what you are buying new to replace a worn out part is so very important.
I sure would like to know more about this 6.0 fan modification to our idi engines.

 

[79jasper]

Gary, it may not work on the idi, but bolts right on to the 7.3 PSD. From what I seen the early powerstroke and idi look real close in that area. It's just the fan blade that you switch.

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[snicklas]

Jasper,

The IDI fan spins the wrong way.........

The IDI fan clutch is left handed thread, the 7.3 and 6.0 are right hand thread. I know that is for the clutch, but the point is, the handed-ness of the clutch is because of the way it spins...... so the same fan that would suck on 7.3PSD or a 6.0, would blow on an IDI..............

Yes, I know what I said.... just let it go........

 

[79jasper]

I gotcha. Ons the first years of the PSD with the idi radiator may also spin the same then. I remember when I was taking the fan off to change the water pump, I actually had to spin it the opposite direction of what everyone else was saying. Lol so it may not work on my truck either anyways.

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[jaluhn83]

Negative, all 7.3 PSD trucks spin the wrong way.

Horton has a selection of fans in their catalog and I found some that looked like they would fit the idi clutch but don't know how much if any flow improvement you'd get.

Before you go spend $$$ on a new clutch try refilling the oil in the current one.
http://www.oilburners.net/forums/showthread.php?64852-The-4-fan-clutch-fix&highlight=

<Can we put the clutch refill thread in the tech section so it's easier to find? >
I'd expect it would help lower the engagement temp as well, though can't say for sure.

 

[79jasper]

Interesting. Guess I haven't been around a idi in awhile. Lol
The Hortons look real nice. Might be a route I take.
+1 for making that a sticky/tech.

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[jaluhn83]

Here's the real solution.... pricey though.

http://www.oilburners.net/forums/showthread.php?70947-Electic-Fan-Clutch&highlight=

 

[Matt_INW]

I replaced my entire cooling system a couple months ago. I bought the water pump, thermostat, and fan clutch from Ford. I have yet to hear the fan clutch engage. And I drove it about 55mph up a 10 mile hill in 90+ degree weather a couple weeks ago.

 

[jaluhn83]

You woln't hear it unless you're going fairly slow - probably 30 or lower. It may also come on gradually so you don't really notice it. May not even have come on at all if you're able to do 55 - generally you've got enough airflow at highway speed to not really need the fan to fully engage. If the truck didn't get hot pulling the hill it's probably working.

 

[ironworker40]

When your truck sits overnight and you start it the fan should be locked at any temp. When you drive at low rpm you will hear the fan and it is loud. Mine is a new ford unit. It won't unlock if i keep it below 1500 rmp for several miles. If I bring it up to 2000 or more it will unlock in 1/4 mile. My old unit didn't over heat or run hot but it would unlock in a block or two. I changed it due to poor a/c performance at idle. Also if you are on the highway running 65 or better when you get off an exit and come to a stop, when you take off you should here it locked for a short period. If your fan clutch does not operate as described it needs to be replaced. Spinning when the truck shuts off is no indication of a bad fan clutch. Bolth my new and old unit will spin for ten revolutions or more when I shut the truck off.

 

[jaluhn83]

What IW posted above is the classic symptoms of a low on oil clutch - it doesn't have enough fluid to stay locked up, and shortly will be bad enough to stop working entirely. Just throw some more oil in and I bet it'll go another several years at least.