I have a 1957 Skyliner with factory Select Aire.  It has a 7 blade direct drive fan run off the water pump.  at 70 mph it sounds like an airplane.  Is there a way of using a fan clutch and different fan to reduce the noise and the horsepower drain?

Start here, Greenbird post. That clutch fits the w/p hub. You fan may work as is, don't know.

http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/Topic122011.aspx

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Hayden has an online available PDF catalog of the fan clutches. Take a close look at how much room you have between the waterpump pulley flange face - and the radiator - and go from there. My Thunderbird had plenty of room to work with - sedans maybe not so much. The #2797 severe duty clutch I ended up with, was original equipment to several Ford and GM applications. As you can see below, there must be 3-3/4 inches + a clearance, between the pump flange and the inside face of the radiator.


 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

I can see why it works on the Thunderbird, lots of room between the engine and radiator.  Unfortunately, with the A/C compressor sitting forward and the radiator so close, there is not enough room between the back side of the fan clutch and the flywheel of the compressor for a fan to fit.  I put in a slightly oversized radiator and had to trim 1/4" off the fan spacer to get the original set up to work.  Much thanks for your thoughts!!