Don't store fan clutch horizontally?

[my65289stang]

I just purchased a new hayden fan clutch for my 96 4.0 (thanks for the info 5-90) and had a quick question. My book says

"Do not place the viscous fan drive in a horizontal position. If stored horizontally, silicone fluid in the viscous fan drive could drain into its bearing assembly and the assembly would have to be replaced."

Well when I got mine from the store it was in the box horizontally and it has been in my garage since yesterday horizontally until I read this. Question is: should I get a new one? Im just thinking that they probably don't store them vertically on the shelves anywhere considering the box design. Is it really that big of an issue? It seems like if it was that critical the box would be marked "this side up" or something like that. No markings on the box.

Any thoughts appreciated
Brian
96 4.0 4X4

 

[Kejtar]

I just purchased a new hayden fan clutch for my 96 4.0 (thanks for the info 5-90) and had a quick question. My book says

"Do not place the viscous fan drive in a horizontal position. If stored horizontally, silicone fluid in the viscous fan drive could drain into its bearing assembly and the assembly would have to be replaced."

Well when I got mine from the store it was in the box horizontally and it has been in my garage since yesterday horizontally until I read this. Question is: should I get a new one? Im just thinking that they probably don't store them vertically on the shelves anywhere considering the box design. Is it really that big of an issue? It seems like if it was that critical the box would be marked "this side up" or something like that. No markings on the box.

Any thoughts appreciated
Brian
96 4.0 4X4

I wouldn't worry about it because if you get a new one do you how long it was laying flat or vertical between the time it was made and shipped and bought? Anyways, I think this applies more to the old fans then anything.

 

[my65289stang]

That was my thought, what are the odds that they were shipped vertically and then stored on the shelf vertically....probably not very likely. But at the same time, if I can not find anyone who ships and stores them correctly then how often am I going to be throwing new fan clutches on? Sounds kind of $h#tty to me