AMC Eagle Den Forum

The Mighty 258 => Cooling System => Topic started by: MIPS on January 08, 2022, 09:07:38 PM

Title: Fan Clutch Engagement
Post by: MIPS on January 08, 2022, 09:07:38 PM
Was recently hunting down the source of a squeal and chatter somewhere at the front that only happened when it was cold outside. Replaced the water pump in 2020 with a new one. Replaced the alternator several months ago when the old one shorted a diode. Shot the parts cannon at a rebuilt power steering pump, only to find it wasn't the source. x_x

Well it's been cold as heck lately so in the morning after unplugging the car I'll start it, put the transmission in neutral and while I wait for the engine to warm up I'll brush the snow off. Three days ago I was sweeping the front and I got a brief squeak and it sounded like the fan died for several seconds, then another squeak and it came roaring back. For the last few days I've been noticing some abnormal overheating and overcooling that I blamed on the -20's and hard loading but as it warmed up today I saw it running too cold for what it was doing. I didn't think that my fan clutch had been the source of the noise until now so I pulled the clutch and ordered a new one because it's sure as heck cheaper and easier to replace than a water pump in the middle of winter.

Inline-6, V-belt with no AC. Old one that came out looked to be a 2705 Thermo-Trol with clockwise rotation (technically 2705K031 with an arrow pointing to the right), so I ordered a Hayden 2705 clutch, Standard rotation (clockwise, according to the arrow printed on it).

Fan's been swapped and the clutch is ready to go in once a repair on the upper radiator hose sets overnight but I'm feeling the play and slip in the old clutch compared to the new one and the old one seems noticeably stiffer. Does a stiffening clutch indicate it was getting close to locking up full-time?
Title: Re: Fan Clutch Engagement
Post by: maddog on January 09, 2022, 09:34:20 PM
I believe they have bearings inside them so it
being stiffer could be from worn out bearings.