C3 cooling fan clutch color

[Jim A.]

The fan clutch in my 1977 is black. The reference guide indicates the fan was painted gloss black but doesn't call out the fan clutch color. It could be left natural. Can anyone confirm it left the factory with the same color as the fan?
As an aside the clutch doesn't appear to have any leaks and offers resistance so I am planning to use it when I put the car back together. Any comments about reusing it?

[Richard T.]

Re: C3 cooling fan clutch color

My 68 L 36 fan clutch is natural or bare aluminum

[Jim A.]

Re: C3 cooling fan clutch color

I think the aluminum would look better than black. Do you think it left the St. Louis factory that way?

[Alan D.]

Re: C3 cooling fan clutch color

Jim,
The fan clutch color is to be natural unfinished aluminum. For the actual configuration I think you should look at JGM for 1975-1977.
My car has been awarded the McLellan Mark of Excellence and top flighted more than 10 times. If you need pictures of the fan clutch let me know.

[Patrick H.]

Re: C3 cooling fan clutch color

Jim,
The fan clutch color is to be natural unfinished aluminum. For the actual configuration I think you should look at JGM for 1975-1977.
My car has been awarded the McLellan Mark of Excellence and top flighted more than 10 times. If you need pictures of the fan clutch let me know.

We're getting the team together for the 75-77 JG revision should you have any interest.
See the notice in the latest Driveline.

[Jim A.]

Re: C3 cooling fan clutch color

Allan, A photo would be appreciated. Attached is a photo of my cooling fan clutch as it stands. The Harrison radiator is out for repair. The radiator repairman says the radiator had been re-cored. Fortunately, he believes the end tanks are original.
Since I am not the original owner, I don't have that history. Anyway the cooling fan clutch was painted black. I can only assume someone painted it when the radiator was repaired earlier. I can tell you that the hose connections are not original and will replace them.
Thank you for your help.
Your car color is the same as mine.
Thank you for your help.
Jim

[Patrick H.]

Re: C3 cooling fan clutch color

That appears to have been fully painted in silver, which is not correct.

[Jim A.]

Re: C3 cooling fan clutch color

I think the picture I posted might be misleading. The fan clutch consists an aluminum housing an a steel shaft assembly.
The aluminum in the picture is bare. I primed the steel shaft in prep to match the gloss black paint of the fan according to the judging guide. I planned to match shaft and 4 bolts in color to the fan. If the shaft is to be left bare I can do that. I assume the bolts should be painted to match the fan color. I also assume there is no penalty for zinc plating the bolts before paint.
My whole assembly was previously painted so it is hard for me to know how it left the St. Louis assembly plant.

[Patrick H.]

Re: C3 cooling fan clutch color

Did you bead blast it?

The thermostatic coil is usually not a silver color.
The shaft is plated (treated) black, not painted.
None of the parts are gloss black like the fan.

I would expect black plated studs with natural nuts and lock washers to hold it in place.

Don't assume so much.

[Steven B.]

Re: C3 cooling fan clutch color

I ordered my 77 new Aug 6, 1976 and the clutch came bare and still is.

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 cooling fan clutch color

Jim------


Does this car not have A/C?

[Jim A.]

Re: C3 cooling fan clutch color

It does have air conditioning.

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 cooling fan clutch color

It does have air conditioning.

Jim------


OK. This is a GM #372502. Assuming that the engine is an L-48, you have the correct fan clutch. However, I've never seen one of these originally painted black.