Clutch fans...

I berkeleying hate you and your MPG robbing ways. I had to put a new one on about a month ago to negotiate the elementary school traffic in the morning or I wouldn't have it on.

I took mine off for an extended trip to Columbus for the All Ford Spring Swap Meet. Even on a recent trip that is all freeway to Charleston, WV from home, I got 18.5 mpg over 180-200 miles round trip. On this trip when I filled up to come back home, I pumped in 12.225 gallons. I drove 263.5 miles on that tank. That is 21.5 mpg! KMA YOU JUNKY PIECE OF E36 M3.

I've been debating swapping the one out on my Durango for an electric fan for this reason.

Why not just use a electric fan? Last kit I put in was easy.

Donebrokeit wrote: Why not just use a electric fan?

Simply, $$.

Other reason, I strive for "wiring perfection". I don't just drill holes willy-nilly for just any reason. Hopefully this summer the 5.7 swap will occur bringing all sorts of wiring "adventures".....

A 20% MPG difference? Is they way back home "downhill" compared to the way up......just seems a bit hard to fathom is all.

I mean even the alternator, water pump, A/C don't pull that kind of load.

In reply to z31maniac:

Well... I'll say this. Before I put it on, going to school netted 19.5-20 mpg going back and forth to school, 68 miles round trip. I put it on and doesn't matter if I drive 55, 60, 65, or 70, the same trip is 18.3-18.5. The trip from here to elsewhere is harder going out then coming back in. The trip back from Columbus was the same distance coming back, within a mile-ish, and I have way more fuel in the tank.

To answer the second, I have only the crank, WP, alt, and PS pump on the same belt. The AC is bypassed with a shorter belt, but still bolted to the motor.

you definatly need to go electric. Did ford ever offer an electric fan for the ranger or a radiator the same size that will fit and uses it?

I am thinking junkyard run for a good radiator with the fan already attached

Perhaps the fan was not working properly. At highway speed it should just be free wheeling.

My Liberty with tow package came with both, clutch and electric. I removed the clutch fan. It is stored down cellar. Never had any heat problems, even when towing in hot weather.

I've said this like 4 times here before. I did a back to back to back test with an old Chevy pickup. No fan, thermal clutch fan and electric fan. The MPG was identical at 19 mpg highway. The electric was a cheapie and it was fine, but the controller kept dying because of snow and salt and crap, so I stayed with the clutch fan. Awesome pieces, when done right.

Ive been a Clutch fan since 1993's Transnational Speedway League. Their new single "Earth Rocker" is pretty cool.

1,000-horsepower 2JZs still use clutch fans. Just sayin'...

logdog wrote: Ive been a Clutch fan since 1993's Transnational Speedway League. Their new single "Earth Rocker" is pretty cool.

Yes.

Well, I filled up this morning to get to class. 264.0 miles on 11.440 gallons.

logdog wrote: Ive been a Clutch fan since 1993's Transnational Speedway League. Their new single "Earth Rocker" is pretty cool.

Clutch is awesome.

Careful with that mic weezyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

SilverFleet wrote:

logdog wrote: Ive been a Clutch fan since 1993's Transnational Speedway League. Their new single "Earth Rocker" is pretty cool.

Clutch is awesome.

10001110101

We can sure derail a thread...

But when I read the title all I thought was "I've never heard of anyone needing a fan on their clutch disk?" :D

Almost all the old vehicles with clutch fans I had when the clutch siezed I replaced with a Flex-a-lite Flex fan. sure, they're noisy, but they draw a lot less power from the crank.

Interestingly enough, I was listening to Clutch at lunch.

That reminds me, I need to pull the retarded fan clutch off the E30 engine before it goes into the e36.....I run electrics.

SilverFleet wrote:

logdog wrote: Ive been a Clutch fan since 1993's Transnational Speedway League. Their new single "Earth Rocker" is pretty cool.

Clutch is awesome.

Ha. Listening to their latest release right now. A song about a Rocket 88? Too cool. Anyway, back to your regularly scheduled thread.

Bobzilla wrote: Almost all the old vehicles with clutch fans I had when the clutch siezed I replaced with a Flex-a-lite Flex fan. sure, they're noisy, but they draw a lot less power from the crank. Interestingly enough, I was listening to Clutch at lunch.

No thanks!

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=158597

funny... I'd heard the same horror stories but after 4 vehicles with them (all GM) I never had an issue. I think the Caprice one was on for 90+k miles.

Bobzilla wrote: funny... I'd heard the same horror stories but after 4 vehicles with them (all GM) I never had an issue. I think the Caprice one was on for 90+k miles.

All the same, do you think a flex fan has less drag than a thermal clutch fan? I don't, but am curious of your thoughts.

logdog wrote: Ive been a Clutch fan since 1993's Transnational Speedway League. Their new single "Earth Rocker" is pretty cool.

Dodge Swinger. 1973.

BoostedBrandon wrote:

logdog wrote: Ive been a Clutch fan since 1993's Transnational Speedway League. Their new single "Earth Rocker" is pretty cool.

Dodge Swinger. 1973.

JESUS ON THE DASHBOARD!!!!!!!!

I shot a fan through the hood of my Toyota pickup. They're obviously made of stronger steel than Chevys, as it only partially penetrated

Ranger, did you take off the clutch or the whole fan?