cooling fan

1989 CHEVROLET 2500
125,000 MILES • 5.7L • V8 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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SCOTT STEPHAN-HALL
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i recently swapped out my mechanical fan for an electric fan due to my plow blocking the airflow to the radiator. My question is, does the water pump still engage without the fan clutch? If not, can you operate without the fan on? or is there something else i should do? the motor is mildly modified .030 over headers, throttle body spacer.
Dec 31, 2021 at 2:59 AM
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SQM
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Hello,

Removing the fan does not impact the water pump. As the engine runs the water pump pulley gets turned by the belt, and that spins the impeller of the water pump.

The purpose of the radiator fan is to draw air through the radiator, and it is independent of the water pump function. However, as you know if either of these components stops working the engine will overheat. But one will not impact on how the other works.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/water-pump

Hope this helps answer your questions.

Please let me know of any questions or concerns.
Thank you.
Dec 31, 2021 at 8:04 AM
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STEVE W.
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As long as you keep the pulley and belt on and only remove the fan itself you should be fine. Interesting modification I saw on a friends plow truck, he added twin electric fans for the same reason, but he wired them, so they blow the air out the front of the truck. He claims it helps keep the plow pump warmer to let it work better. Not sure about that but I've seen stranger things that worked.
Dec 31, 2021 at 9:41 AM
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SCOTT STEPHAN-HALL
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no problem with the plow pump.
Dec 31, 2021 at 1:18 PM
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SQM
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As the water pump will not be affected by the electric fans. You just want to make sure that the engine is staying at the operating temperature. The only real reason for it to overheat if the fan is not moving enough air.
Dec 31, 2021 at 8:35 PM