As some of you know, I have been fighting "fan clutches" since early spring.
To begin with, I have a 1978 (403 CID), which may or may not, require a
different clutch than the 455 CID engines. When the original fan clutch
went out, the local GMC dealer replaced it with "something", that never did
"roar". After reading this "GMCNet", I changed to the Hayden 2797, which
"roared" continuously. I knew that this wasn't the way the original clutch
operated, so I exchanged it for the 2747, which "roared" until 45 MPH. This
also is not how the original behaved. Now I have the 2705, which doesn't
"roar" ever, even at times when the original clutch would engage. However,
the engine temp. stays right at the 1/4 mark, as it always has.
My conclusion, at this point, is that Hayden does not make a fan clutch that
matches the original. The 2797, and 2747 clutches on my engine, make a
noise that is too obnoxious for normal driving. I'll stay with the 2705
until I decide that I need more cooling, then I will pay the price for an
"original" from Cinnabar.
As to the question about the negative effect upon gas mileage, I have not
run long with the "roar", but the horsepower that must go into the fan has
to be significant, and will show up as increased gas consumption. I would
guess that it is something like the dash A/C...about 1 MPG.
Scott Shean
78 Royale
Baton Rouge, LA
To begin with, I have a 1978 (403 CID), which may or may not, require a
different clutch than the 455 CID engines. When the original fan clutch
went out, the local GMC dealer replaced it with "something", that never did
"roar". After reading this "GMCNet", I changed to the Hayden 2797, which
"roared" continuously. I knew that this wasn't the way the original clutch
operated, so I exchanged it for the 2747, which "roared" until 45 MPH. This
also is not how the original behaved. Now I have the 2705, which doesn't
"roar" ever, even at times when the original clutch would engage. However,
the engine temp. stays right at the 1/4 mark, as it always has.
My conclusion, at this point, is that Hayden does not make a fan clutch that
matches the original. The 2797, and 2747 clutches on my engine, make a
noise that is too obnoxious for normal driving. I'll stay with the 2705
until I decide that I need more cooling, then I will pay the price for an
"original" from Cinnabar.
As to the question about the negative effect upon gas mileage, I have not
run long with the "roar", but the horsepower that must go into the fan has
to be significant, and will show up as increased gas consumption. I would
guess that it is something like the dash A/C...about 1 MPG.
Scott Shean
78 Royale
Baton Rouge, LA