'68 396 fan clutch, ...correct PN(s)?? photos?

[KevinK]

Does anyone know the correct PN (or numberS) for the correct fan clutch used on the BB '68's (ie. K02 option), ...OR have any photos that would uniquely identify one? (is it common to '67 and/or '69, etc.??)

  The AIM calls out PN# 3916388, ..but I'm wondering that there are other numbers??
 
  Thanks,
               Kevin

[bertfam]

Kevin,

Not sure I'm going to be able to help you here since I'm not sure if my clutch is original! But here's what I have...

In group 1.050 of the P&A, it shows the following:

1966-1967 Chevelle (396), 1967 Camaro (6 Cyl), 1968 Camaro (396) - Drive unit - P/N 986067 Unfortunatly, this is for the clutch and the fan assembly and doesn't have a breakdown of the P/N's by themselves. And of course, this could be a generic replacement assembly.

Both my Hollander and Mitchell interchanges (1969 editions) show the 1968 Camaro 396 as P/N 3927103. It also shows the 1967-1968 Camaro 302, the 1967-1968 Chevelle 396 (375), the 1966-1967 Full Size (427/425) and the 1968 Full Size (427) as using the same clutch. (Mitchell interchange #551 and Hollader interchange #175)

As you said, the AIM shows P/N 3916388, but it also shows P/N 3927103 as bing "Optional". There's also a note (note 4) stating that the 3927103 "WAS 3916589" with the change being noted on November 1st, 1967.

Now, to confuse things even more, here are 2 pictures of my old fan clutch. There's wording stamped into both sides of the clutch with "OD" stamped in black ink on the front side (see the pictures...) I have no idea if it's original so take this with a grain of salt!

1968 Camaro 396/375 (L89) Fan Clutch front

1968 Camaro 396/375 (L89) Fan Clutch rear






I hope this helped, but I know it didn't!!!

Ed

[KevinK]

Ed,
   Thanks for your reply. Agree, ...'taking it all with a grain of salt' for now,...but it does add some pieces to the puzzle, ...and it's a confusing puzzle to say the least.

[SS375HP]

The clutch pictured about is not correct for a 68 396 375HP. Here are photos of the correct one. This same one was also used on the 68 Z/28. I hope this helps.

[KevinK]

THANKS! ...that is different than '69 which is what I was thinking. Would that style be the same on '67? ('66 other than Camaro?)
 
  Thanks again,
                       Kevin
   

[JohnZ]

The coil-type unit in the top group of photos is the Eaton clutch, and the one in the lower group of photos is the plate-type Schweitzer clutch; although their part numbers were different, both were used interchangeably in all Chevrolet applications, depending on which one happened to be stocked on the line at the time. I don't have a '68 A.I.M., but you'll see the interchangeable usage in the '69 A.I.M.; both part numbers are shown, with the second part number "opt." (optional usage); both of them were calibrated the same way, met Engineering specifications for that application, and either one is "correct".

[bertfam]

John,

The 68 AIM shows the following under K02:

3916139 Clutch Assmebly
3916140 Optional
5329100 Optional (with note 3 stating it was added 8-21-67)
3916388 RPO L34 and L35 (with note 1 stating RPO L34 and L35 was added on 8-7-67)
3927103 Optional (with note 4 stating this P/N was 3916589 and changed on 11-1-67)

A few questions:

1. Are you saying that my "OD" clutch is an Eaton and is original/correct for my 68 L89?

2. Is that "074" a Julian date (Monday, March 4th, 1968)? If so, it makes sense. It lines up correctly with the other parts of my engine which are dated Mid March/early April, 1968.

3. If this is a Julian date, then what's the "13"

4. I also tried finding the 4174966 P/N in my P&A's, but came up empty. Would this by chance be an Eaton P/N?

Ed

[JohnZ]

Ed, I don't have the part number or broadcast code info for 68's; I just know that both the Eaton and Schweitzer clutches were released as optional usages across all car lines in the 60's, as neither supplier could supply the total volume requirements.

[bertfam]

Thanks anyway John. I DO have a few 68 Body Broadcast Sheets (see below), but they don't show the Fan Clutch. It shows the Radiator, hoses, shroud, etc... but no fan or clutch!

If anyone knows the clutch codes for 68, please post them...

Ed

[JohnZ]

The fan clutch code is only shown on the Chassis Broadcast Copy.

[bertfam]

Thanks John. That's what I thought. And of course, I have ZERO Chassis Broadcast Sheets for 68!! Isn't that always the way...

Ed

[KurtS]

Ed,
I've seen that clutch code before, pretty sure it's not original.

68 fan clutch broadcast codes appear to be 1 letter, btw.

[bertfam]

Yeah Kurt, that's what I figured too. So many things have been replaced over the years on this car that the chances of having the original fan clutch were slim at best!

Ed