Difference between 79-83 and 84-85 Fan Clutches
 

G'day,

My '82 fan clutch needs replacing, and I was about to buy one until I found it was an 84-85 fan clutch, which is apparently different, even though its still for the 12A.

Black Dragon list the two separately, the latter being almost $200 dearer. Even the GSL-SE fan clutch is cheaper.

Does anyone know what the difference is? Is it a better unit?


Thanks

Don't bother with new. You can get them in the FS section for like $10.

Even I have one laying around here. I went to E-Fan, if you want the clutch, let me know.

Thanks for the reply.

Well, I was going to buy one from djessence that I found posted in the FS section, until I discovered it was an 84-85 fan clutch.

I've already tried another fan clutch from an '82 and found it was permanently locked. So I'm wary of buying a second hand one only to find its no good.

To give some more info about the behaviour of my fan clutch... it is not permanently locked but it only frees up if I hold the revs above 3500 for a while. When I start the engine it free-wheels, then locks after about 30 seconds, then frees again when the engine is almost warmed up - this is the correct behaviour if I'm not mistaken. Inevitably it locks again though, and matches the engine revs even when revving the engine up to 6000 rpm. The higher the revs the less time it takes to free up. Then it stays freewheeling for a little while until I give the engine a rest, then it locks again. Spinning it by hand when the engine is cold sees it turn less than a half revolution, but it can spin less depending on where it is in the revolution.

I've thought about refilling it with the silicon fluid but that seems hard, plus then I have to source the fluid.

Anyway, I'd like to know what the difference is between the two fan clutches...

have you considered an electric fan??

Yes, and I'd prefer to keep it stock :)

Thanks

Yes indeed you did rotordave. I however noticed on mazdatrix and mazda part numbers are different as are prices. Significantly different. While i do not know the difference there clearly must be something to make a $100 difference in price.

Or perhaps another question too, is HOW do you tell the difference between them. If I had one of each lying around whats the difference?? I have an 84 parts engine but it had a couple different parts (like flywheel) that dont look like 84 parts. The fan clutch looks identical to my 85 one but is it in fact the same or could it be different?