My 1955 Thunderbird does not overheat, but I am tired of the noise from the solid fan.   Can I replace the 6 blade solid fan with a clutch fan without issues?

Hayden makes a fan clutch that fits well on the T-bird - due to the extra space ahead of the engine. Hayden #2797


Make sure your fan blades clear the shroud correctly. This is an aluminum 7 blade from a GTO - but a six blade will do the job.


 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Got mine from CASCO. Works fine.

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

Thanks for the reply.  I currently have a six blade solid hub fan. Sounds like a windmill!  The Hayden #2797 clutch is available from a number of sources.  Do you know what diameter clutch fan blade would fit my '55 Bird?   Larry's sells the stock 17" fan.  Should I buy a 17" or 18" clutch fan blade?  What is the optimal distance for the blades to the radiator or shroud?

Mine is an aluminum 7 blade cut down to 18 inches. Halfway out of the shroud is a decent target to shoot for. As far as the Hayden clutches go the Heavy Duty (p/n 2747) and the Severe Duty (p/n 2797) both fit - the 2747 requires a little sleeve / spacer to decrease the pilot fit to 5/8's. The Severe Duty is the best choice in my opinion - it has a much larger clutch area and the pilot is direct fit for the 'Bird.

 

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Thanks Steve.  My current fan is 18".  I'll buy the 2797 and an 18" clutch fan blade.  My car is a 3 speed manual with O/D.  It will be nice to hear the motor instead of all that noise in first gear.

Just be sure to take a good look at the "pitch" of the blades of fan you choose - they differ. The viscous clutch style fan drive loses about 10% of the rpm available due to slippage. If your hot idle is low - and you only get 90% speed - and the water pump speed is low as well - a "flat" fan can cause you a problem.

The one in my photo above is a Pontiac (GM) aluminum, 7 blade with a rather heavy pitch - cut down to size. Just one way of dealing with the problem ...... there are others.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Based on Steve’s comments and my experience in truck/RV installations, you might start by looking at those fans. They’ve got a lot of pitch to move air under heavy loads at moderate rpm and lower road speeds. Anyone who’s driven a large gasoline RV up a hill knowns the roar that happens when clutch locks up to start moving air. I probably wouldn’t buy the most aggressive, but it would be worth a look to compare them to auto applications. Or like Steve’s, a hp big block application with air and power accessories.

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

Hey Steve. Do You have a Part # for that Fuel Filter you have on your's? Or an Original Application?

  

Its an AC Delco GF62 - I don't know if this exact style is still around. At one time they were Corvette parts. The Ford branded canisters usually come from Mustang restoration outfits.


 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona