Loud 22RE fan

[KidVermicious]

The fan on my '85 just howls. I don't remember the fan from the '86 making noise like that, so I'm probably going to play games with my shroud and fan/clutch assembly from the old truck and see if I can get the '85 a little quieter.

Just curious if anybody else has found anything to quiet the fan without resorting to an electric setup?

 

[SV_Dude]

I couldn't even hear the fan on my 22re. Maybe it is the shroud (mine never had a shroud) or the clutch? Is it making a metal on metal noise like a clutch issue?

 

[fourwd1]

It shouldn't be making that noticeable a noise unless it has a problem.
Could have a bent blade, bad clutch, etc.
Does it wobble when it's turning?

 

[KidVermicious]

I couldn't even hear the fan on my 22re. Maybe it is the shroud (mine never had a shroud) or the clutch? Is it making a metal on metal noise like a clutch issue?

It shouldn't be making that noticeable a noise unless it has a problem.
Could have a bent blade, bad clutch, etc.
Does it wobble when it's turning?

No noticeable wobble or grinding, it's just a howl. Sounds like a turbine, and it's a proper ruckus, I can hear it on the freeway at 70. I don't know how old the water pump is and I have the nearly brand new one from the '86 sitting on my shelf, so I think I'll just replace the water pump and slap the other fan and clutch on there while I'm at it.

SV, did you ever have any heat problems running without the shroud?

 

[SV_Dude]

No cooling issues without the shroud. I think the shroud is more of a safety thing than anything.

It may not be a bad idea to swap the water pump if you are thinking that it is making the noise. If you're careful you can put a long extension or screw driver on the housing of the water pump. Put your ear on the other end and listen for the noise. You should be able to tell if the noise is coming from the pump or the fan clutch. Just be careful you don't slip off the water pump and end up on the fan or in the belts.

 

[KidVermicious]

I don't know for sure it's the water pump, but if I'm gonna change the fan and the belts I might as well swap the pump too.

Call this "shotgun troubleshooting".

 

[SV_Dude]

You should go ahead and add another 4 cylinders

Swapping a water pump is cheap insurance, especially since you already have one.

Are you ever going to wheel this thing or did you buy it so you can have something to work on?

 

[KidVermicious]

I just really like standing in my driveway in the snow turning wrenches.

I'm hitting dirt as soon as I've replaced the front springs. Everything else is on my "when I get around to it" list.

 

[SV_Dude]

Hurry up and get on the trails! You need to make your way to Colorado.

 

[mikebontoft]

shroud needs to be in the proper place so it can direct the air sufficiently. If it's not there, the fan just throws air everywhere around it. Some cars may overheat and some may just operate more than they should.