Fan clutch and thermostat

[lovetoski]

My fan clutch failed, and I replaced it with an aftermarket one. It lasted about 20,000 miles. Got an OEM one from CDan and it's been flawless for 45,000 miles. Amazing diff when comparing the two one the workbench. The OEM one was twice the size/thickness.

Some aftermarket parts are a better choice, thermostats, brake pads, calipers, rotors, prolly a bunch of other stuff. Water pumps and fan clutches - go OEM.

 

[Elbert]

aluminum radiators are fine....but if not made specific to your truck,its going to require some fabrication skills on your part to install the radiator. You need to look at how your radiator is mounted in your vehicle.

If you don't have these fabrication skills or experience...your best best is to buy a radiator made specifically for your truck.

After looking into having my radiator cleaned up and re-cored it does not look like it is very cost effective when comparing the price to just buying a new one to replace the bad radiator. I was looking at the aluminum radiators that Jegs sells and it looks like the one they have for Chevys is plumbed correctly as far as hose placement. The aluminum radiator they have, 24x19 looks like it would fit but how difficult would it be to fab brackets to get it to mount correctly? Has anyone taken this approach. I understand that normally people use aluminum for 350s but the aluminum radiator Jegs has is about $100 cheaper than what a direct replacement rediator would cost. If anyone has any related experience going this route please let me know. Thanks.

 

[Miloslavich]

JUST replaced my fan clutch with a napa part last night.


NAPA Fan clutch HAS a lifetime warranty. its also 60 dollars. save your cash and get a clutch that has a lifetime warranty. Cdan's parts dont have a lifetime guarantee.

 

[Southeast Overland]

JUST replaced my fan clutch with a napa part last night.


NAPA Fan clutch HAS a lifetime warranty. its also 60 dollars. save your cash and get a clutch that has a lifetime warranty. Cdan's parts dont have a lifetime guarantee.

None of my OEM parts have needed a lifetime warranty. On the other hand many of my non-OEM parts have needed their warranty.

Just b/c a part has a warranty doesn't mean its better. Fan clutches and water pumps are a good example of this.

 

[Elbert]

Don't let the $$ drive your parts selection unless you have to, for whatever reason. There are some clear quality issues in the aftermarket world. I will say that Beck Arnley aftermarket parts appear to me to be well made. I had a BA fan clutch on my truck for well over a year. My OEM clutch failed and I needed one the next day and so BA was available. In general OEM fan clutches are the only way to go. I would not hesitate to use a BA part...some of the other stuff would be 2nd or 3rd place.

 

[2020 Rocks]

I went to Jegs to check out the aluminum radiator but after comparing to the oem measurements of the stock radiator and comparing cost to time I just went with a $280 rad from the rad barn. Nice radiator. Installation went fine except for a couple weeks later my oil cooler dicided it had had enough rust and dumped all of my coolant as I was pulling into work. I bypassed the oil cooler for now with a 2 1/2 foot section of 5/8 hose. I need to get in there this weekend and try an pull the rusty oil cooler off and see if it is repairable. Hopefully it did not rust through but is leaking from the o rings on the back side. We shall see.....

aluminum radiators are fine....but if not made specific to your truck,its going to require some fabrication skills on your part to install the radiator. You need to look at how your radiator is mounted in your vehicle.

If you don't have these fabrication skills or experience...your best best is to buy a radiator made specifically for your truck.