fan drives on 63 Avanti

[Guest Larry Delazzer]

Any Avanti guru know which fan drive came on a 63 A/C Avanti from the factory - thermostatic clutch drive or straight viscous drive. Mine has straight viscous drive and it spins about the same hot or cold, actually a bit easier when hot as well as a bit quieter? If I can locate one I'm considering trying a thermostatic clutch to see if it's quieter. Are the vendor replacements thermostatically controlled or straight viscous, they advertise them as being more efficient and quieter - any input on that.

Thanks.

[supercar]

I picked-up a generic thermostatic fan clutch three years ago in attempt to insure my fan was always doing the best job of cooling possible. The problem I ran into was that the aligning center hole of the fan clutch was smaller than the Avanti water pump shaft there by making it impossible to mount to the pump flange. That was the one thing I didn't insure before attempting the conversion.

[JWL1940]

The viscous fan drive on R4541 was noisy and it seemed not to be driving the fan properly. I replaced it with a new viscous drive from Nostalgic. The fan drive is much quieter and it drives the fan much better. , I am using the stock 5-bladed fan. Also replaced the water pump with a heavy duty type, also from Nostalgic. Old water pump was functioning properly, had a smooth bearing and was not leaking. I replaced it because it was convenient to do so then. I figured it was better to do the job in my garage at a time of my choosing rather than beside the road on a drive. I am keeping the old pump as a spare. The balky opening 160F thermostat was also replaced with a new one of the same rating at this time. The engine temperature was down by about 40 degrees, according to the gauge. I believe the improvement was mostly due to the new fan drive.

(o[]o)

[JLBKY]

Larry.........about 4 years ago I looked into finding a new viscous drive for my car. I wanted a thermostatic viscous clutch. I searched the Hayden Website and found a thermostatic clutch with the same fan bolt pattern as our Avanti. As I recall, the application was a BMW. To make it work requires access to a lathe as a custom made adapter must be made. If you want the details, let me know.

John

[JWL1940]

Dan Booth, Nostalgic Motor Cars (248-349-4884) has the correct fan drives. I paid $79.95 plus S&H.

(o[]o)

[StudeNorm]

By!

Edited August 12, 2016 by StudeNorm