2nd gen fan clutch on a 3rd gen

[TWhetten]

Is there any reason that a second gen machanical fan clutch and fan wont work on a third gen. It should enguage automatically right? I know the electic fan kicks in when the AC is on but I thought I might get a cheap electric fan and mount it in front of the consensor for that. The reason I am asking is that dodge has the electric clutch on backorder and because of that they want an outrageous price for them if they can even find one. You can get a mechanical one with a fan for about a 1/4 of the price.

 

[DBentley]

I think the computer would be throwing codes if the elect clutch wasn't plugged in?
This is a good idea if there is a way around the computer.

 

[rscurtis]

I can give you the best reason- a third generation engine has a reverse-rotation fan, using a RH thread on the clutch. The second generation uses a LH thread.

 

[TWhetten]

well that is a really good reason, thanks, guess I will just keep looking for a clutch. It pisses me off that that is a part that you can only get from a dealer and it is on backorder because the parts suppliers are worried about chrylsers financial situation. It kinda puts us in a bind, especially on critical parts like that.

 

[TWhetten]

Also is there a way I can manually lock up the clutch to make sure that it is out and I dont have a wiring issue somewhere. Can I jump some wires and lock it up?

 

[MMeier]

Also is there a way I can manually lock up the clutch to make sure that it is out and I dont have a wiring issue somewhere. Can I jump some wires and lock it up?

Do a search for "manual fan override'. Member Matt400 came up with that a while back, but the clutch has to be in operating condition to begin with.

 

[TWhetten]

Do a search for "manual fan override'. Member Matt400 came up with that a while back, but the clutch has to be in operating condition to begin with.

thanks, thats exactly what I am looking for, I want to find out if the clutch is working at all first and take it from there.

 

[mwilson]

If you find that the fan clutch has indeed failed and you want to pursue the 2nd gen fan drive idea I believe that the LH vs. RH thread issue could be resolved by buying a 2nd Gen fan drive pulley. I can check part numbers and engine arrangements if you want between the 2nd and 3rd gens to see if that is all that would need to be changed to mount it. Let me know.

They put these "B" engines in all kind of equipment so the basic structure of the front is the same for all. They add pulleys, idlers, tensioners, a/c and alternator brackets etc. depending on the design but the mounting holes and what not remain constant.

 

[TWhetten]

Thanks mwilson, I will try manually overiding it first and if it turns out to be the clutch I will have you do that for me.

 

[mwilson]

Just thinking out loud here, but do you suppose that the threads are different because the belt is routed differently and the fans turns one way in the 2nd gens and the other way in the 3rd gens?? Trying to think ahead.

 

[Shadrach]

The only part that is the same, as far as Cummins is concerned, between 2nd and 3rd gen fan drives is the actaul bearing inside. You don't want to change the height of the fan because of different shrouds and rads. The second gen one doesn't have provisions for the 3rd gen idler pulley.

Shadrach

 

[mwilson]

You would unbolt the assembly that holds the idler and pulley and then bolt the 2nd gen set-up on to the block. Then two more questions come up for me, height of fan as was mentioned and a belt that is the proper length to drive it. If you do away with the idler then it should turn the other way. You could also go with a little smaller diameter fan if there is a height issue, these things have a way oversize cooling system as it is.



Send me a PM and I will send you the Parts breakdown for both setups. They are a liitle over the limit in size to put on here.

 

[TWhetten]

Sounds like there is alot more involved in this. I think I will have a buddy bring his 2nd gen by so I can compare them. What a pita.

 

[rscurtis]

I think a good deal of the complication of making the discussed modifications stem from the fact that the third gen engine went to a belt-driven PS pump- hence the use of the idler pulley.

 

[mwilson]

Ty,

My son and I had a talk on the way about trying to do this conversion and we are wondering if a Flex-O-Lite fan kit might be a simpler repair. He thought that he had seen the 3rd gens listed the last time he looked one up for a big truck. I am home stuck with dial-up so can't check from here if I plan on sleeping at all tonight. He also thought that it connected to the existing fan wiring so as to work with the ECM. I will check it out in the morning and see what they show. Gotta' be a way to do this.

 

[TWhetten]

Mike, I looked into the flex lite fan for our trucks, it is a direct bolt on. It is about $600, and has a disclaimer that you shouldnt tow over 18000#s combined (truck and trailer) with an electric fan. Has anyone on here ever towed woth one of these fans?

 

[dan.poitras]

Electric Fan Clutch is available from RockAuto.com



Sorry: Checked their website and the fan clutches have been removed from the system.

They were there a couple of weeks ago.

 

[mwilson]

Where on Rock Auto are you finding that???

I can find fan clutches for the gassers but not the Diesel. I could be doing something wrong.

 

[TWhetten]

I found this, does it look legit? Its about $60 cheaper than the dealers cost.





Dodge Ram 04-09 Cummins Diesel Fan Clutch, OEM Mopar:eBay Motors (item 400064634365 end time Aug-28-09 11:26:23 PDT)

 

[mwilson]

Looks like they are located in Phoenix. I would go for it. The rating looks great for the company. 7 day return policy and fair freight charge. If you use Pay Pal you should be covered. Do it. The pricing is at wholesale, same as I would pay.

Any other alternative is going to cost way more than that.



They look like a good source to use in the future as well.



By the way, your dealer should have checked into the fan drive a little deeper as 85 clutches are due into the Chrysler Parts Distribution Centers the first of next week. My dealer in town checks the out of stock parts for me without needing to be prodded. I made the assumption that your dealer had checked and advised you, otherwise I would have called my guy yesterday instead of today to get you the answer. It seems some of the dealers parts departments are not doing their jobs very well at all. Lack of training?? Lack of interest?? It needs to be addressed.



I will call off the Cummins team and save the favor for another issue.



Sounds like you are going to be in good shape shortly. Oo. Oo.