fan grease

cuzncletus

cuzncletus

Senior Member
I disassembled, cleaned, and painted my '46 cooling fan. Glancing through the Van Pelt's catalog, I saw they called it an "oil filled" fan. Since there is no zerk on the pulley, how is it filled and what lubricant do you use?
 
I use 80-90 gear lube in mine. I think the original Ford spec. was for 30 wt. motor oil but they later changed that to gear oil if memory serves me correctly.
 
Originally they used motor oil but I think a service bulletin changed it to gear oil. a Light gear oil like SAE 80 would be roughly equivalent to SAE 40 motor oil and SAE 90 would be equivalent to SAE 50 motor oil.
 
The trucks were the last of the flatties to use that type of hub/bearing, and still called for engine oil (30 wt.)
 

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The second part of cuz's question and one I would like to know also: "how is it filled?.
I don't have a '46 but still would like to know.
 
It has a filler plug removed via a screwdriver. Fill it with oil then rotate the plug to the bottom to drain off the excess.
 
Fibber .... Just to clarify: Rotate to the hub so the fill/drain screw is on the top position. Remove the fill/drain screw and fill. It doesn't hold much. Holding a small can or jar under the hub, rotating the fill/drain hole to the bottom position and the excess oil drains out. This leaves the intended amount of oil inside the hub reservist. Rotate the fill/drain hole back to the top and install the drain screw.
 
There's no need to fill it, as the manual excerpt above says, add an ounce. If nothing drains out, add some more and repeat.
 
It doesn't matter how often I try I always get oil on the bottom pulley. If I get the extra in the cup I accidentally knock the cup over. I'm sure I'm putting too much in but I'm using an oil can with a flexible spout, I guess I should see how many squirts make an ounce.
 
And if you forget about the oil in that fan hub......we now have new replacement spindle bearings in stock. Save yourself some money and hassles......replenish the oil at every oil change of the engine!
 
Graeme / New Zealand said:
I ran one dry years ago and the bush was flogged out..what a noise it made. I learnt my lesson about fan maintenance, lucky I had a spare.

GB
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I actually use Slick 50 and just a few drops is all you need. If you fill it up it will just push it out while the engine is running. Since Slick 50 sticks and lubricates metal even when it's almost very dry, it is good insurance. Use a few of your regular oil in addition if you like and/or if it makes you feel better. You all know I drive my avatar for long distances and at speed. Never had a problem using Slick 50 in over 6200 miles of 70-75+ mph driving in extreme heat .....
 
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