The fan clutch on the '86 760T is sticky (rather than stuck) so the fan blade turns all the time with the engine on. Someone much more knowledgeable than I (thank you, Chris Herbst) recommended it is time to replace that fan clutch with a new OEM Aisin one. So I bought one. However, before putting the new fan clutch in, I thought that perhaps it would be best to convert to an electric fan. So I read 700/900 FAQ regarding such a conversion. Prices are $63 for the OEM Aisin fan clutch and $100 for an aftermarket direct fit fan, both from FCPGroton. Please, recommend whether I should convert from fan clutch to electric fan, and if so why and how. Thank you and best regards to all at Brickboard.

As both the fan clutch and radiator on the '86 760 are probably best changed, I thought this would be a good time to put in a new radiator and electric fan. Looking at how much fan diameter the fan clutch takes up in the OEM set up in the car now, I thought a new radiator and electric fan for a late model 940T would as well or better, if they fit. I drove the car without the fan clutch and fan, and acceleration and throttle response were much improved. But from what you tell me John, it sounds like the radiator and electric fan from a 940T will not fit without more trouble than I want to get into. I anyone has any further recommendations, please let me know. Thank you all again.

No aftermarket electric fan will cool your car in the Texas heat like the engine driven fan. Stick with replacing the Aisen fan clutch.

You don't need to invent anything either.
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john

Have to differ on this. I live in Austin, and my 245NA runs and cools VERY well with a Hayden electric puller in place of the mechanical unit. 109F outside earlier this summer, and sitting in traffic, temp gauge BARELY crept above 9:00, A/C blowing 50F at the vents.

Fan is the biggest Hayden that Pep Boys had (model #3701?), installed w/ fixed-temp relay; rad is 3-row all-metal from ipd many moons back.

Better gas mileage, quieter, but the main reason I like it is the ease of access to the front of the engine.

(If you do stay with mechanical, consider "tropical" clutch - engages sooner at a noise cost, but a local indie Volvo mech swaps his clutch back-and-forth with standard every spring/fall.)

Tom

Thanks for the input.

I like the quiet idle you get when using an electric fan. The 1992 and later 945s have a nice, quiet idle form not having an engine driven fan. The electric fan used on the 940Ts is much larger than most off the shelf electric fans.

One of my friends had trouble with insufficient cooling from the electric fan conversion on his 1990 745T. He eventually had to special order a much larger electric cooling fan.
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john

Please, John, do you know how large, price or part number for Volvo, OEM or aftermarket direct fit electric fans and controls for late model 940T? Best regards.

My friend, Nick Choy, has and recommends a SPAL 16" unit. It is rated at 2,300 cfm. Part number VA-18-AP13-59A.

It is the second electric fan Nick tried. The first did not cool well enough. This one does.
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john

I can't help you with the part numbers.

The 940T electric fan will not fit the earlier turbo 700 series without some major work. The fan would fit so close to the water pump sheave that you couldn't change belts without pulling the electric fan. Some people have change to the late intercooler, radiator, and oil cooler adapter to fit the 940T electric fan in their 700 series turbo.

MVP (who have got out of the accesory parts business) used to sell an electric fan which would cool the turbo 700s. It was about $150 if I remember correctly. I might install one of those some day. The electric fan has its appeal for a quieter engine, and the cooling load where I live is not like Texas.
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john

A little off the topic, but I think my own fan clutch may be doing the same as well. I thought they only failed one way and when they failed completely, the fan would no longer engage at all, but I've noticed recently that my fan clutch seems to engage very quickly, even under only moderate weather... so perhaps mine's starting to get sticky as well?

Hmm... Wish there was an easy way to check.
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Kenric Tam
1990 Volvo 740 base sedan (B230F)
My Volvo 'Project'

I've thought about this in my own car and decided against doing it. Yes, you get better mileage and a bit better performance by eliminating the drag from an engaged clutch, but it has serious downsides as well.

If the electric fan dies it will die quickly owing to the failure style of most electronics (immediate crap out and off). If this should happen on a trip you are generally screwed (no replacement available, etc.), and there is a good chance that without a sensor to detect fan failure (and alert you) your radiator could overheat and explode (I'm thinking of failure on the highway here).

With a clutch driven fan these dangers are greatly minimized. Generally the clutch will fail slowly, wearing out over time and giving you good warning it needs to be replaced. Additionally, it could easily fail (and maybe always does depeneding on the design) in the engaged position, further reducing your risk by guaranteeing it draws in air, whether it works or not.

Most cars these days use electric fans, however, so that probably tells you something. Personal call in the end.

-rt

The sinister reason all newer cars are using only electric fans is:Think of the major damage they do when they go out 1 month past your warranty. $$$$$
Stick to the OEM style and you will save $ in the long run.
el Raidman