Another dumb question.

If you are seated in the drivers seat looking over the engine at the cooling fan, which direction should the fan be turning as you start the engine? Clockwise or Counterclockwise? In other words, which direction does the engin normally turn?

Thank you

David

The fan would be turning counterclockwise from that perspective, but the engine spins clockwise.

Jeff,

By that information, the perspective of viewing the engine spinning clockwise would mean that you are standing in front of the car looking at the engine. Correct?

Thanks,
David

yes

Many thanks! Have a great day!

The engine spins counter-clockwise. The reference point for determining the direction of rotation is, and always has been, the flywheel.

Your reference point from the driver's seat looking forward is correct for this.

Guess it depends on how you look at it.

It's not a guess.

Check out SAE Standard J824 Engine Rotation and Cylinder Numbering

It all goes back to the days when you had to hand crank the engine. If you were standing in front of the car, where you would have to be when cranking, a right handed person would normaly turn the crank clockwise. I guess left handers just had to learn how to do it right handed.

Actually, you will have to blame the Greeks and the Wright brothers. It has nothing to do with cars.

Upon further investigation Quenton, I concede defeat. Rotation is in fact referenced from the flywheel, which in the case of pontiac motors is counterclockwise. Although I believe the original question was answered satisfactorily for the information requested.

Indeed it was, until a bunch of bad information followed.

such grace...