Cooling Fan upgrade

[Layne]

you can lock the fan on with a couple longer bolts if need be.

I suppose if you did that you'd only drive very carefully at low revs. But in the case of E34's etc that have the black 11 bladed fan, it's common for the fan clutch to fail by locking itself up, the result is usually an exploded fan blade that may or may not puncture the hood and do other serious damage.

 

[Stevehose]

No I had mine locked for a couple years and can drive as normal. It's a recommendation in the service manual in case of clutch failure. Inefficient but better than blowing the head. 9 blade is the way to go.

I suppose if you did that you'd only drive very carefully at low revs.

 

[Dave G]

Use the Napa fan clutch [rebuilt] with the old style spring rather than the poly-metallic strip.
Cheap and they work great.

Thanks all. I was glad to come across this string which is helpful despite it's age! My 1969 2800CS 5-bladed fan shows evidence of being locked-solid in 2 different ways. Time to make amends. Don, is this NAPA fan clutch below, the style that you recommend with the spring in the center rather than the poly-metallic strip across?

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/TEM271366?keywordInput=3.0cs+fan+clutch&vehicleAddPDP=true

It appears to be an alternate for the early 5 series like this from W&N:

https://www.wallothnesch.com/en/fan...5i-from-09-1979-up-1-for-1-car-11-073-02.html

And both would use the newer style water pump with the thread-on Vs bolt-on fan mount? (probably available elsewhere than W&N for better shipping costs for US)
Thanks!

Water pump for 525, 528i and M535i from 03/1978 up, you need 1 for 1 car (525 LHD 4861738 / 525 RHD 4505504 / 525 A LHD 4525765 / 525 A RHD 4535562 / 528i LHD 5374569 / 528i RHD 4765407 / 528i A LHD 4781634 / 528i A RHD 4790647)

Water pump for 525, 528i and M535i from 03/1978 up, you need 1 for 1 car (525 LHD 4861738 / 525 RHD 4505504 / 525 A LHD 4525765 / 525 A RHD 4535562 / 528i LHD 5374569 / 528i RHD 4765407 / 528i A LHD 4781634 / 528i A RHD 4790647)

www.wallothnesch.com

 

[sfdon]

Nope- everything has changed!

 

[Dave G]

Nope- everything has changed!

Thanks for the heads-up. If you have a moment, would love to hear what you advise using now. I have an M30B35/Weber engine-swap on a stand calling me to finish up, but want to do it well and I trust your judgement : )

 

[sfdon]

Rmeuropean