That #$%[censored]%^&* money pit (AKA '74 164E) did it again. It started with an innocent chirping, and 30 miles later it put it's fan through the radiator. You can imagine what a 6-bladed metal fan spinning at 3200 rpm does to a radiator. Thank god for free towing from the ANWB.

Yup, you guessed it, the viscous coupling disintegrated. As this is a known weakness I'ld looked at some at the dutch Volvo meet, with the idea of buying a couple of spares. They were all bad. No luck.

Would the viscous fan unit from a 240 (newer, ie still available new from Volvo or much newer from the pick'n'pull) be likely to fit?

Alternatively, what is the collective wisdom on welding the hub to the rotor on an old unit and just using it as a fixed fan (apart from loosing a few horsepower and slightly more noise)?

Or I could just go for a kenlowe or similar electric fan, although they tend to be quite expensive (said he, without having priced a new viscous coupling) or possibly dodgy if from the pick'n'pull.

Thanks,

Bram

Hi there,

I think a flex fan, those with blades that flatten out at higher RPM, is the answer for an inexpensive permanent solution to a fan clutch issue. In the states, the HI Pro oriented parts houses offer them for $20 or so. I have seen them installed on "built" Chevys and Fords without problems.

I agree. A flex replacement fan is the fast and cheap way to go. They're light weight so there's minimal inertial load during acceleration and at high rpm they flatten out so there's minimal top end power being being robbed. Had one in my '74 144 for many years. I got it from my friendly independent Volvo shop so I don't know who supplied it, possibly Volvo.

Thanks to all contributors. For the time being I got my radiator recored, and a rummage through my parts shed turned up a 5-bladed plastic 240 fan. A quick redrilling of the holes later it fit to the 164 hub. For the time being the car's running again. That flex fan sounds like a good idea, it certainly appeals to me more than the added partscount and points of failure an electric fan brings. Unfortunately, the local parts place supplied mainly a blank stare when I brought this up. Would you happen to have a brand name or whatever to narrow my search a bit?

Thanks,

Bram

Hey Mauser. I don't have the car any more so I can't go look, but I do happen to still have the service receipt. It just says "fan replacement". That's sure not much help so maybe someone else can do better. If not, you could try asking at a radiator shop or jobber parts supplier.

/// Suggest you go to electric. The concept of attaching a potentially unbalanced object to the end of a long spinning shaft is not sound engineering. The removal of the shroud and fan assembly will greatly increase the work space in front of the engine.

The electric fan from a later 740 turbo should work fine, that's what I'm putting in my moderately modified 67 122.

Don´t try welding the parts together - there was a plastic fan on the late 140s and 240/B20 which will fit. I had the accident with the riveted steel fan on mine - only trashed the radiator before the blade stopped halfway inside the battery :-(

However, I´d go for an electric fan. Quieter, more effective, feels better... Important: use a sensor mounted in the upper part of the radiator/hose. 85-88 degrees C start temperature will be ok, the more common 92-95 degree types won´t start the fan before you can see the coolant steaming in front of you.

/Martin

I fittedone from a 265 to mine, solved its cooling problem too, straight on no mods

Regards

Geez...pretty harsh words for a sweet old Volvo!

I'd hate to read your postings a REAL money pit on the Jaguar XJ6 board!

I don't know if welding the fan firmly in place is the best idea...gotta get it perfectly centered and balanced. Parts from an older 140 or 160 might be what you need. I know I've gotten rid of the damn fan clutch on an 1800es (for the same reason), so I personally don't see a problem with doing it on a 164. Don't use the fan with the riveted blades though (they can tend to fly off and kill you if you are standing in the wrong place). I'd think you'd want to go with a one piece pressed steel fan..or?

The main drawback will indeed be the added noise.

I'm not sure what the best parts would be, but as far as I know, the water pump is the same as that on a 140, so perhaps very early 140 series bits could be put in place. Other thoughts?

-Matt B

71 145s, 65 1800e, Jaguars