#1  
Old 09-05-2016, 07:30 PM
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dpoltzer dpoltzer is offline
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Default Thermal clutch fan or not?

Working out a few final bugs on full resto of 1970 Formula 400. I am hearing some noise from the clutch fan and want to replace the clutch fan. The unit that came on this car is I believe the "non-thermal" variety as there is no "coil" on the radiator side of the unit. My question is: do I need the thermal or the non thermal clutch unit? The motor runs at a good temp right now with the non thermal unit. By the way, car is a non-A/C, 4spd car. Thx.

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  #2  
Old 09-05-2016, 10:21 PM
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giles giles is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dpoltzer View Post
Working out a few final bugs on full resto of 1970 Formula 400.... By the way, car is a non-A/C, 4spd car. Thx.
Non-AC car would have a flex fan, even with the "HD cooling" option. Fan clutches came on AC cars only.

  #3  
Old 09-06-2016, 11:34 AM
dadsformula dadsformula is offline
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True, but the AC only Clutch Fan used with the AC Pulley Set up for your year
would provide the best factory cooling system. It would not be stock for any
Manual Trans Car, as the guys are correct. All had (mostly 5 blade) factory flex
fans used with Fan spacers. Still if cooling is the primary concern, the factory
AC pulley setup with the 7 blade Clutch Fan is the high water mark. Since the AC
pulley itself is separate and removable, the appearance is not a problem, but a
Spacer (same as the strengthening spacer on the crank pulley) can be used in place
of that inner AC pulley. Use this set-up on my Car, and it works very well, but
anyone with Pontiac knowledge would know it's not original at a glance. Pulleys
are aftermarket now, including some nice ones from CVF Racing, and the 7 Blade Fan
is a very common item. Get the Heavy Duty Clutch, Standard Duty's are questionable.

  #4  
Old 09-06-2016, 10:03 PM
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dpoltzer dpoltzer is offline
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I am aware that the 7 blade fan with clutch is an A/C only item. Living in the deep south I just prefer some extra cooling power on my car. The parts stores sell regular and heavy duty "Thermal" clutch fans and then non-thermal clutch fans. My question remains: "Thermal" heavy duty or Non-thermal- heavy duty?Thx.

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  #5  
Old 09-07-2016, 10:22 AM
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TA455HO TA455HO is offline
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I reread your first post where you said this

The motor runs at a good temp right now with the non thermal unit.

If all you are changing it for is noise and it cools well for you as it is, aren't you answering your own question? And how is anyone else going to answer that for you when it sounds like, to me - personal preference.

Local problems often require local solutions. Nothing unusual about that.

Between more things to go wrong with a thermal unit - likely heavier and only spins when engaged. I know which one I would run.

.

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  #6  
Old 09-07-2016, 09:40 PM
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Ordered the HD non-thermal today. Thanks for the input TA455HO.

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  #7  
Old 09-07-2016, 10:07 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dadsformula View Post
True, but the AC only Clutch Fan used with the AC Pulley Set up for your year
would provide the best factory cooling system. It would not be stock for any
Manual Trans Car, as the guys are correct. All had (mostly 5 blade) factory flex
fans used with Fan spacers. Still if cooling is the primary concern, the factory
AC pulley setup with the 7 blade Clutch Fan is the high water mark. Since the AC
pulley itself is separate and removable, the appearance is not a problem, but a
Spacer (same as the strengthening spacer on the crank pulley) can be used in place
of that inner AC pulley. Use this set-up on my Car, and it works very well, but
anyone with Pontiac knowledge would know it's not original at a glance. Pulleys
are aftermarket now, including some nice ones from CVF Racing, and the 7 Blade Fan
is a very common item. Get the Heavy Duty Clutch, Standard Duty's are questionable.
X2 !! The man KNOWS whats best!!

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