7.3 FAN CLUTCH SWAP RUINED MY TRUCK!!!!

In this video we review the 7.3 fan clutch swap in a 6.0 Powerstroke. Serious review starts around 2 minutes.

[@LeesGarage]

Update 7/27/23 - Replaced with a factory 6.0 fan clutch a while back, instantly gained 2mpg towing and it feels like a total hot rod. To combat the higher coolant temps I installed a tune from ID Speed and it controls for 200° coolant temp. You couldn’t pay me enough to install a 7.3 fan clutch on this truck again.

[@JohnDavis-fy6te]

I live in South Florida, 2005 F350 DRW replaced my 6.0 fan clutch with a 7.3. It worked great! Started having issues with the A/C compressor building up too much pressure. Went back with an 6.0 OEM fan clutch, problem solved. Hope this is helpful.

[@8acreranch115]

I had the same issues. The 7.3 clutch was great when towing but I lost way too much mpg and my ac didn’t work worth a crap. Went back to the factory clutch and did the blue wire mod. That way when I am towing I can keep it a bit cooler when towing 20,000 lbs up hills.

[@DanMarcelino]

Just tie in an override switch on the oem clutch.. super easy, works amazing... when you need it.

[@LimaTangoZulu]

My engine routinely hit 235 EOT before the electromechanical fan would finally kick on and bring the EOT down to 200-ish. Then the fan would disengage and the EOT would go right back up. All that heat and temperature flocculation is hell on an engine. I've had two tuners try to fix it, it never worked. Finally the fan cut the wires, and that was it for me. So I bought the viscous coupler clutch and it is so much better. I haven't seen EOTs over 200 in the 1000 miles I've been running it. I also removed the inner fan shroud while I was in there, and modified the outer shroud to fully cover the fan without the inner shroud installed. That way the fan is still covered providing cooling benefits, and I can access the belt and pulleys on the front of the engine much easier. It will be loud at first, but it takes time for it to break-in. And so far I haven't seen any fuel mileage loss, probably because the engine is running better not being so hot all the time. JESUS LOVES YOU!

[@LeesGarage]

I’m glad that worked for you. My original 6.0 clutch had problems similar to what you describe. Since making this video I’ve switched back to a new OEM 6.0 fan clutch and tuned with ID. Truck holds temps near/under 200, and I’ve picked up 2mpg towing.

[@gabewalker7604]

While pulling in high grades between 6-10% like what we have here in California, I’m not pushing it with temps around 220-235 degrees compared to 200-212. 230 degrees is close to the engine limit.

[@ryanweaver3615]

6.0 a/c is way colder with a 7.3 fan clutch down here in south Texas, the problem is you need a oem fan clutch from riff raff diesel. $200.00 shipped

[@crapseven]

I was just about to order one from BPD and now you got me thinking. My issue is I live in Las Vegas and my A/C is not worth a shit in the summer especially when I am stopped at a light. Thought about going electric fan, but the 7.3 mod seemed like the best choice. The A/C is totally new all the way around, but it was the same before. I just feel it need more air flow though the condenser.

[@LeesGarage]

I’d recommend the blue wire mod, and just flip the switch if you’re stopped/low speed. You may have already done it, but I know a lot of guys that have trouble with AC when stopped have reported the orifice tube was the culprit.

[@jeremycorey5573]

I’ve done this to both of mine 6.0’s never had any issues and I pull a 16 ft dump trailer and a 32 ft flatbed no issues of any sort

[@omgbbqcia911]

so your issue is that you got a bad fan clutch. the 6.0 stock fan clutch stops working too when the fan blade catches the wires and rips them off....so its a "pick your poison" deal. personally id rather swap to the mechanical clutch and eliminate wire issues and delete the stupid fan shroud that bolts to the block so i can change the belt without draining some of my coolant

[@jcel5870]

7.3 fan clutch works awesome for me No bad things to say about it

[@tm510a]

A little bit increase in noise but when towing EC temp from 220 to 200 and EO temp from 121 to 195 I'll take that any day and mileage I'm about 1 mph per gallon. Fun video I hope your BP stays low😄

[@gnarlock3927]

My subtitles said 80 miles per gallon and I was like YES YES I WANT 80 MILES PER GALLON hahah

[@LeesGarage]

Haha

[@BentonL]

Blue wire mod? Is that running it a toggle switch to activate the fan clutch manually?

[@mudbogging714]

Just did my 73 clutch fan yesterday. Love it compared to 60s…. My temps are way cooler. I was going to do the blue wire mod until I found out I had a P0528 code… my damn 60 fan clutch was NEVER WORKING. I drove it like this for over a year…. damn thing would hit 230 oil Under it’s own weight. I thought for sure I was gonna do an oil cooler or something. I did the 73 fan clutch first and damn I think my oil cooler is good. Coolant stays 190-198 and I couldn’t even get the oil over 210 while driving it hard. Around town the deltas are always within 8. Super happy so far. Haven’t hooked up my 10k trailer but I can’t wait now. I think you had an unfortunate clutch. A few people I know have years on their Hayden and it’s worked fine since day 1. Me personally…. Fuck the mileage. I’ll take the reliability and the “woosh” sound any day…. It’s not even that loud. Music on minimal volume and you didn’t mint hear shit. I also like the sound

[@mudbogging714]

Music on and you won’t even hear anything***

[@jasonmartin7364]

You use a OEM Fo-Mo co. Factory clutch fan ?? Odd never heard that many issues with Factoy clutch. Or was it a Knock Off. Thad badge were it says 6.0 is were your Problems Began MR. Thank you

[@Javiervideos1988]

I.m hace stake on chutch how i.m can put wire to turn on and off f350 2006 i.m change 2 times the clutch is still the seme

[@ryanteter]

So… what are your temps? (ECT/ EOT) at highway speeds? If your oil cooler and/or EGR cooler is failing, any fan clutch you put in will run on. I’ve run both on my 04… I prefer the 7.3 fan clutch especially when pulling my fifth wheel. If the fan clutch locked up and never unlocked, it’s a bad clutch. My 7.3 clutch is quiet and efficient. Weird. Like your truck.

[@LeesGarage]

Thanks Ryan. When the fan clutch isn’t locked up completely they both run within a few degrees of 200°. When it’s locked up, they’re in the 180-190 range. This clutch was working great when first installed, and now it has a mind of its own. Sometimes it works as designed, other times it’s fully locked up. Example: This morning it was around 50° Fahrenheit, and the truck had sat all night. Fan was fully locked up on start up. I bet you in a couple days it’ll start working fine again. 😆

[@Javiervideos1988]

My truck sounds lake that lost power i.m dont know how fix mecnic olso

[@gannonfamily2000]

I only tow heavy with my truck. 97 clutch tamed my high temps in the 100F summer heat. I've used mine for 70,000 miles. Best upgrade for me. But I'm actually using the system for what it was made. Not just a personal statement ride. Commonly a 97 fan clutch last 300,000 miles. I guess a cheap one will maybe maybe not work. Same as all our parts now days. I'l continue to stick to a HD snow plow spec clutch.

[@LeesGarage]

I spoke with a gentleman at the fuel station the other day, he stated that he had an aftermarket 97 fan clutch (similar to the Hayden installed on my truck) and it had a mind of its own. He was able to find a factory Motorcraft fan clutch and stated it works flawlessly now. I’m towing near 26k quite often with this truck, and that’s when I dislike this fan clutch the most. It’s a huge loss of power and economy when it’s locked up. I’ll be switching to the factory fan clutch and running the blue wire mod as soon as I have time.

[@gannonfamily2000]

@@LeesGarage Your towing a 26k trailer often and find it annoying? Wow. Blue mod will have you full lock and needing constant flicking with that 12k over load for the truck. Not much more to say to that kind of abusive use. Blue mod and just keep her on and done I suppose. But dang...

[@LeesGarage]

@@gannonfamily2000 26k gross

[@gannonfamily2000]

@@LeesGarage Oh well Crap. My 5r and truck grosses out at 23,000. That's all I have used my truck for since I got it with a little under 100k. It has almost got 200k on it. All tow miles. I love the 97 clutch over the stock with the blue mod I had set up.

[@LeesGarage]

Glad it worked out for you. I’m sure if my 7.3 fan clutch worked correctly I’d like it, but the way it is now is terrible and I don’t feel like taking a chance on another 7.3 clutch.

[@dennisclarke5478]

I did the same mod. Mine also locks up whenever it wants. I can park it over night and go to work in the am and it’s locked. I live in AZ so I need to know the route to go! What’s the blue wire mod?

[@LeesGarage]

You add an override switch to manually lock up the factory fan clutch.

[@anthonyhill503]

Stick to Motorcraft fan clutch..just replaced mine..love my 6.0

[@LimaTangoZulu]

What brand was that fan clutch? Because an actual 1997 7.3 doesn’t have any problems with locking up randomly.

[@LeesGarage]

Hayden. I would’ve purchased Motorcraft, but I’m pretty sure they’re discontinued

[@LimaTangoZulu]

@@LeesGarage Sounds like you just got a bad one. I would get a replacement under warranty, and keep the mechanical clutch setup. I, and several other 6.owners have run the Hayden brand fan clutch on lots of trucks with no problems with locking up randomly.

[@gabewalker7604]

And your truck looks like it has a lifted or a leveling kit on it along with taller tires which already changes the telemetry of the roll out which means you’re EGT‘s are spiking which means you are probably going to be blowing a head gasket within the next 30 to 50,000 miles

[@LeesGarage]

EGT’s are monitored and fine. Nice try though

[@gabewalker7604]

@@LeesGarage I’m glad you’re watching them, not many people do. I’ve been working on these, along with aircraft, for over 15 years. Tall tires, high rollout, equals high EGT. For those engines, anything over 235 is critical and pushes that engine too far. I’ve seen people take the 6.0 to 240-255 and they are insane. 10-15k in parts and labor, if you can’t do the work.

[@LeesGarage]

Are you saying 235° EGT is critical, or are you talking about oil and water?

[@gabewalker7604]

@@LeesGarage I’m trying to assume you know what I’m talking about, my apologies. Yes, oil and coolant. High EGT’s spike oil and coolant temp. Seen too many people push these engines to the limit. I dig the blue mod, but in Cali along with engine health, constant cooling is a bonus for me and my customers. My main profession is turbine engines. People freak out or lie about working with 6.0L diesels. They couldn’t be similar in my field.

[@georgesrisomsak9650]

I'll say I don't agree with the aggressive nature of the video of selling the OEM factory clutch, but I ABSOLUTELY agree with the point. I have both an 03 ccsb 7.3, and an 04 ccsb king ranch 6.0. I HATE the 7.3 clutch, it's constantly locked even in temps near zero. Yes, zero degrees f. It eats fuel, reduces power(60+HP to drive at full lock) and is super loud. The 6.0 fan clutch is precision, on when needed, completely free wheels when not, increasing power, fuel efficiency and making less noise. Hell, I wish it was easy to convert the 7.3 to the 6.0 setup. I would do it if it was. Btw, I have all genuine parts on both of my old oil fired trucks, and still agree that the factory 6.0 fan setup with it's problems is still the best option. Don't waste your $ and time. Put the factory shit in it. Ford spent millions and millions refining, making more power, and being more efficient than the old 444 turd. As a Ford diesel tech of almost two decades, I assure this guy in the video has it 100% right. Just a simple fact for those that ain't yee yee mouth breathers.

[@JP-mu3xl]

no, I'll keep my 19MPG on my 2005 f350,FX4,CC,SRW

[@JosePerez-gt4dy]

Buy a quality fan clutch OE or equivalent or you will have premature failure like op stated.For heavy tow and hot climates I’d prefer a 7.3 fan, altho it is a bit noisier it does more good than bad.

[@LeesGarage]

What would you consider OE equivalent? From what I could tell, OEM is discontinued. I’m running a Hayden, and it’s junk.

[@johnnycortez46]

@@LeesGarage I am running bulletproof diesel water pump and their 7.3 fan clutch on my 2006.. Way cooler so far

[@Kennysgarage2489]

What size tires are u running ?

[@LeesGarage]

315/70R17

[@JP-mu3xl]

ok, quit yelling..... so much for the idiots claiming the 7.3 clutch works better... I'll be replacing my OEM 6.0 cltch, thx!

[@manolosanchez900]

🤦🤦