Auto Parts: fan clucth, monte carlo ss, fan clutches


Question
where is my fan clutch located and do i need a special tool to remove and put a new one in ?

Answer
    The fan clutch is attached to the hub of the water pump in front of the water pump pulley.  The fan is attached to the clutch with four bolts, from the rear.  So, if the fan is damaged, the clutch has to come off in order to remove it.  On Fords, after a certain year, the clutch has a large threaded hub which screws onto the complimentary threads on the water pump hub.  A special wrench is needed to reach down into that narrow space and turn the hub when removing it.  GM and Chrysler kept using bolts until they did away with fan clutches and started putting electric fans directly on the radiator.  Taking the fan and clutch off, and adding electric fans to take their place, is a very good idea; it will give a gain in power and make working on the engine a lot safer.  I did this with a brand-new Monte Carlo SS back in '84 because the '84 Camaros were made that way and subsequently rated 10HP higher (with he same engine).  The Camaros used a different air cleaner assembly, too, but I cured that with a K&N replacement assembly.  That was one quick car for its time, let me tell you.