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Chris D
Dodge Dakota
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9/17/2004
00:54:14

Subject: Clutch Fan...yeah i know
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Hate to start another post on clutch fans but if I take it off of my '02 will the stock electric fan be enough to keep the truck cool or should I buy an aftermarket one. I live in northern Alabama. Temps are in the 80's right now and get up to mid/high 90's in summer. Also would it be better to wait and do this when I install a 180 thermostat? Also I would assume that the pulley will remain correct?



Just Looking
Dodge Dakota
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9/17/2004
03:45:08

RE: Clutch Fan...yeah i know
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the stock electric fan some times is enough and sometimes isnt. For me it seems to be enough even with ac on

It would be the best choice to do the switch to a 180 thermostat before u remove the clutch fan.
Boil the thermostat when u get it to make sure it opens at the temp its suppossed to


Yes the pulley should stay on



daddio
Dodge Dakota
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9/17/2004
08:39:56

RE: Clutch Fan...yeah i know
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chris, i've got an '00 QC 3.9. i live in south louisiana it;s been in the mid 90's. removed my clutch fan about 8 months ago. with a 180 therm, i have never had mine get to the middle of the temp gage(210)yet. even stopped/crawling in traffic. also got an underdrive crank pulley.



Chris D
Dodge Dakota
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9/17/2004
12:49:16

RE: Clutch Fan...yeah i know
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Thanks guys. I'll wait and remove it once I get a 180* put in. One more thing, would it be alright to remove the shroud (think thats what its called) that surrounds the fan? It would free up some engine space and look better in my opinion. Only reason I can think not to remove it is that maybe it would direct the airflow of the electric fan more towards the engine. Any thoughts on this?



daddio
Dodge Dakota
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9/17/2004
12:58:36

RE: Clutch Fan...yeah i know
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took my shroud off when i got rid of the clutch fan. you might also look at adding an adjustable temp switch for the fan. i haven't domne that yet. about 20 bucks @ advance auto. cause when that a/c isn't on that fan won't come on until about 210 - 220 deg.



Chris D
Dodge Dakota
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9/17/2004
16:52:40

RE: Clutch Fan...yeah i know
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Well I went ahead and took off the shroud. I'm gonna go ahead and take the fan off and pick up a 180 stat in town tonight and put it in tomorrow. I need help with gettin the fan off. I cant get the damn pulley to stop turning. I've searched the threads and cant find anything specific. Any tips?



daddio
Dodge Dakota
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9/17/2004
17:00:12

RE: Clutch Fan...yeah i know
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grab the pulley from the side with a pair of vise grips. put your wrench on that big nut and give it a good whack. should come right off.



Chris D
Dodge Dakota
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9/17/2004
17:14:54

RE: Clutch Fan...yeah i know
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WOOHOO!! Got it off. Just takes a little persuasion. Thanks for all the help daddio.



P2gee
Dodge Dakota
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9/17/2004
18:42:20

RE: Clutch Fan...yeah i know
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If I'm not mistaken, the electric fan only operates when the A/C compressor engages. If you remove the clutch fan and for any reason do not have the A/C operating on a warm day, there is a good chance the engine is going to get pretty warm regardless of what thermostat you have in the truck.



Chris D
Dodge Dakota
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9/18/2004
01:48:02

RE: Clutch Fan...yeah i know
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Went out driving and the temp stayed where it normally does but I had the a/c on most if not all of the time to keep the fan running. Once the temp did reach halfway on the gauge while in line at the drive through but I had the a/c off. Turned it on and the temp dropped to normal. I went to 3 Advanced Auto Parts stores and couldn't find a 180* for my truck. Had 2 of the guys tell me not to put a 180* in my truck because the trucks are designed to run best at their set temps. I'm gonna try Autozone tomorrow. Last thing, should I put in a switch so that I can turn the fan on and off manually or should I do like daddio said and buy the temp switch.



daddio
Dodge Dakota
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9/20/2004
14:08:00

RE: Clutch Fan...yeah i know
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chris, it's up to you which way to go(manual switch or temp switch). just remember you will have to remember to turn that manual switch on and off. the temp switch is install, set it and forget it! just something to consider.



Randy
Dodge Dakota
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9/21/2004
13:14:29

RE: Clutch Fan...yeah i know
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do your coolant and washer bottles rattle around like mine did when I took the shroud off? I put the shroud back on because it seems structual. I'm running without the clutch fan and whenever my temp guage goes to halfway I turn on my AC and that turns the fan on to cool the motor down. It only happens when the vehicle is not moving. I have yet to see if it will get this hot in the winter without using the AC.

I've never seen my fan come on without the AC being on, is it supposed to come on at a given temp, regardless of if the AC is being used?



daddio
Dodge Dakota
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9/21/2004
13:33:40

RE: Clutch Fan...yeah i know
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it should come on i think around 210 - 220 deg. i'm not sure what that factory switch is set at. i have yet to get mine hot enough to kick it on.



Chris D
Dodge Dakota
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9/21/2004
18:10:34

RE: Clutch Fan...yeah i know
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Yeah the washer fluid/coolant bottles are less stable now but no big deal I guess. The bottom left of my shroud broke off anyways when I was takin it off because that damn plastic clip wouldn't let go so the shroud won't be goin back on. I'm gonna go with the temp switch, found a flex-a-lite one on truckperformance for $20.



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