Is this pretty typical for the 5.2 dakotas? Mine roar pretty good, especially at higher RPM's.

It seems to turn fine by hand, althoug a little stiff. Didn't know if this just how it was (heavy duty clutch) or something is wrong with it.

 

When the silicone fluid in the clutch is cold
the fan blades will roar as a cold engine starts up and runs
but after 10 minutes or so the fan should be quiet
as the warmer & now water-like silicone keeps the fan blades
turning a bit slower than the engine rpm.

The fan clutch is not supposed to lock up unless hot air coming through the radiator
causes the little metal coil on the front face of the clutch to expand and clamp the fan blades so that they turn at the same rpm as the engine until the hot air coming through the radiator drops to (stock clutch) less than 210 degrees or so.

 

If it roars all the time it wouldnt hurt to change it. Mine did at one time on my gen one, got annoying. Changed it and started hearing a couple of other minor problems I was having. lol

 

put a fan of a 3.9 thats stationary. direct drive from the crank. no more spin - no spin problems

 

Have a 95 318 gen 1, and it roared from day one until it was replaced with an electric fan and a 360. If you go the electric fan route, buy American. Turns out that with a 180 t-stat, the fan does not come on at all, but it is November here in the northeast.