I want to install a clutch fan , so I removed the shroud to take this picture of what is on the car now. It appears I have a long water pump. Is there any advantage to a clutch fan and if so, which one should I buy . The car runs all day at 190 right now, but I want more of a factory look.

I installed an aftermarket clutch assembly ( you can get from any automtive jobber ) I liked the factory look as well...but never trusted cluctch fans so I locked it out...car runs 180 all day long...havent had any issues yet...

Thanks I will call and see what is available . It just does not seem right to have the fan directly connected to the engine or does it not matter.

You're gonna need a matching fan blade if you're gonna change to a clutch fan.

With a properly working clutch fan your MPG will be better,than a direct running fan of the same. type

Thanks I will call and see what is available . It just does not seem right to have the fan directly connected to the engine or does it not matter.

I have a flex fan on my big block Camaro and the temp. is 180 to 185 idling in traffic with no problems so I believe it comes down to a matter of personal preference.

Thanks guys!
Now I see that I need a different fan. It looks like almost all 69 to 85 style clutch fans will work. My simple alternator pulley change has turned into a much more involved project with lots of research. Oh well...good thing it's still winter here!

ah the old "while your at it" syndrome. I use a flexalite nonthermal clutch fan and flexalite 17 inch fixed blade fan. Looks factory to me and it wasn't to expensive. I think it was under $60. I got mine from summit racing. My car has never overheated once since I installed either.

There are a ton of posts on this and they'll even get you the part numbers you need. I went the same route as DenRS and my '67 went from throwing a little coolant everytime I parked it to nice and cool.

It was the something I wish I had done day 1.

Thanks for all the input!
I think I have decided on a FLEXALITE 5200 non thermal clutch that rotates at a constant 60% water pump speed and a new fan 5717.(Not a flex fan)
I think this is a safer and less expensive option than buying old, used or NOS. Anyone researching this topic should search flexalite. It always comes up in the thread . Here is their website.
http://www.flex-a-lite.com/auto/html/clutch-fans.html

A couple things James. No high performance Chevy was built WITHOUT a clutch fan setup. And they were thermal.
A few years ago Hotrod Magazine did a test on ALL available fan configurations that ran off the pump to determin their horsepower usage. The stock thermal won. (lowest) It wasn't even close.

What I am after is a safe setup one that will saftly rev to 6000 I found some more good reading at the Hayden site .

http://www.haydenauto.com/index.htm

A couple things James. No high performance Chevy was built WITHOUT a clutch fan setup. And they were thermal......


Well maybe none other than a 69 Nova with a 396 / L78 and a solid fan that sounds like an airplane.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=020&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=300200696078&rd=1

Wait and see how much this fan blade goes for.....

Well maybe none other than a 69 Nova with a 396 / L78 and a solid fan that sounds like an airplane.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=020&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=300200696078&rd=1

Wait and see how much this fan blade goes for.....
Nope. Wrong fan. 1969 L78's came with 7 blades and thermal clutches. Here's my original.
http://epitomesrebuild.com/images/138.JPG

Nope. Wrong fan. 1969 L78's came with 7 blades and thermal clutches. Here's my original.


That doesn't look like a 69 Nova.....

Yeah, there's a reason for that!:D But it WAS an L78:thumbsup: