My first post and it's a doozy

[AMC Diplomat]

Question for all.
My fan clutch is starting to catch even at idle on initial start, so in for a new clutch.

Question being should I just replace the clutch and leave it be?
Or switch to a flex blade fan, or swap to electric fans? I know those options are more expensive. Just wondering if it would be beneficial, and if so I can get everything together.

Currently have the clutch and 5 blade fan setup.
Car only gets to the second notch on the temp gauge, never seen it go higher than halfway past that even on plus 25° days.

Just get a new clutch. The advantage to a clutch fan is it free wheels when cold and then engages when hot at a higher speed. This robs less energy than a flex fan.

I thought about a flex fan. Everyone here thought it wasn't a good idea. I researched it. They're right.

When you get the new fan clutch it'll include a bushing for the front of the water pump. You'll need that in case the back of the fan clutch has a bigger diameter hole than the knob on the front of the pump

 

[5thtimesthecharm]

Just get a new clutch. The advantage to a clutch fan is it free wheels when cold and then engages when hot at a higher speed. This robs less energy than a flex fan.

I thought about a flex fan. Everyone here thought it wasn't a good idea. I researched it. They're right.

When you get the new fan clutch it'll include a bushing for the front of the water pump. You'll need that in case the back of the fan clutch has a bigger diameter hole than the knob on the front of the pump

Perfect, sounds good. Cheapest option anyways.
Side note, assuming the fan blades stay the same diameter, would it be beneficial to run a 6/7 blade fan over the 5 blade?
I would imagine an even number of blades would be more stable than an odd number, or does it even matter? Just a curiosity and bored at work question.

 

[AMC Diplomat]

Perfect, sounds good. Cheapest option anyways.
Side note, assuming the fan blades stay the same diameter, would it be beneficial to run a 6/7 blade fan over the 5 blade?
I would imagine an even number of blades would be more stable than an odd number, or does it even matter? Just a curiosity and bored at work question.

Some Chrysler engineer already figured out the right number of blades and how they're arranged.

This is another rabbit hole I went down. Turns out that if you have too many blades you actually move less air. Something to do with how fewer blades grab more air.

 

[Mikes5thAve]

Heavy duty applications had 7 blade. There no reason to change from 5 unless you're doing something that is causing overheating problems and everything else is good.

 

[5thtimesthecharm]

Sounds good to me, thanks guys.