Archived Confusion from Dodge about 96 fan clutch

[MWhisenant]

I do regret making my first post a "911" call. But I am in a pickle and need help.



My 96 3500 has a missing fan blade. 88k miles, and I havent owned it long. I do not know if it was that way when I bought it.



I use this truck for summer touring, and it is going our for 8 weeks this Friday. It's very important to me to send it out in good condition.



Dodge sold me the following, as it appears on the invoice.



"52028653 FAN COOLING 7002002 OLD# - CH52004977"



It looks to be the same as my old one. I didnt look carefully, I had no reason to be concerned.



I quickly realized that I had no means to remove the viscous fan clutch from the pulley, as I did not have a 36mm wrench as mentioned in the shop manual. So I've made an appointment to have it installed by my mechanic (independent) tommorrow.



After reading some posts in the forums, I thought I'd go ahead and install a new fan clutch at the same time. So I call the Dodge dealer, and at first the guy advises that those parts had been updated, and that I would have to buy both clutch and fan. I told him he'd just sold me a fan, then he backtracked and said that fan should work on either an "old" or a "new" clutch. Then he gave me part number 52088760 for a replacement clutch.



Now, I have these questions... .



1. Will my new fan fit the old clutch?



2. If I buy a new clutch, will I have to buy another fan?



My mechanic took me in at the last minute on the assumption that I have the parts. Can someone please please please straighten me out?



Thanks so much



Mark Whisenant

 

[MWhisenant]

ok, i just spoke to another dodge dealer parts person who made more sense.



he says the parts are the same, but the numbers have been changed.



again, sorry to start out calling "wolf". thanks to everyone for their time.

 

[Andy Redmond]

All the parts will interchange, the later part number for the fan is a superceeded number and design I'm told (ie strengthened fan).



I've changed many fan clutches and reinstalled on the old fan blade. However, I always inspect the blades carefully for visual cracks or other damage.



I would only change the clutch if signs of viscous fan clutch fluid leakage are apparent, damage to clutch or fan (as in your example) or that the clutch has no resisitance when spinning the fan when cold or that its "locked up" all the time.



Usually most auto parts stores will rent the KD or Lisle Fan tool kits. It is left hand thread. You will likely need the kit that has the "pulley holder" It will grasp the bolt heads on the fan pulley, while you bust the fan nut loose. I recommend leather gloves so you don't cut up your hands, should a tool slip.



No need to remove the belt unless you are servicing components which would require belt removal.



You can put some strips of cardboard between the fan and radiator (to protect the radiator core/fins while you wiggle the fan out). I usually remove the oil filler pieces/assy (12 valves trucks). Compress the upper radiator hose and work the fan out between the shroud and the hose, you may need to "index" the fan to get a blade or two in the correct spot to slide up and out.



Once its out, remove the four capscrews that retain the clutch to the fan (13mm socket).



OBTW, I like the Mopar clutch, I've had problems with the Hayden unit and the other aftermarkets.



Assure that you have the correct clutch as the gasser model clutch should fit your fan, but spins opposite, which would kinda negate the effect of proper operation.



Good luck

Andy