Aluminum One-Piece Fan. Issue...Maybe...

Smurkey

Smurkey

Senior Member
After reading the numerous posts about the potential failure of the original steel fan I was persuaded to order the one-piece aluminum; this one from Snyder's.

Question is:

Anyone else have close clearance between the new fan and the inlet pipe on the radiator?

I had to add shims to my radiator base to the point that the bolts barely catch the nuts to make clearance. This, after I moved the hose down the neck, out of the arc of the fan. Still I have only about a 1/4" of room between the fan and the pipe. Opinions: Will this be enough clearance?

The radiator is a old aftermarket replacement that has been re-cored. It has the round pipe rather than the original funnel type inlet. Oddly the "original" steel fan looks to be cut down on the ends to make it a bit shorter as the ends are squared off versus arced like the photos in the JS.

Thanks--
Steve
 
Steve, it sounds like you have already diagnosed your problem. I seriously doubt the Snyders-manufactured fan is going to fit. If you don't mind me asking, why are you changing fans?
 
BRENT in 10-uh-C said:
Steve, it sounds like you have already diagnosed your problem. I seriously doubt the Snyders-manufactured fan is going to fit. If you don't mind me asking, why are you changing fans?
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"After reading the numerous posts about the potential failure of the original steel fan I was persuaded to order the one-piece aluminum; this one from Snyder's."
 
Brent,

Actually, other than the posts here I saw nothing amiss with the steel one. However, once I took it off and really gave it the once-over, there is a small crack (1/4" or so) developing at the base of one of the blades.

I take it you think the 1/4" of clearance is too tight for the fan not to hit the neck? What might be a safe gap?

Thanks
Steve
 
RHD said:
Don't understand what you are saying. The inlet pipe from the radiator is a mile away and comes nowhere near the fan blade.
Do you mean the outlet pipe?
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The inlet pipe of the radiator is connected to the water outlet pipe from the cylinder head via a rubber hose. (at least on left hand drive cars:))
 
Inlet=top pipe, nearest the cap.

A mile away would be nice but it's about 1/4". Anyone think that's too close, or should the movement be minimal?
 
Jordan said:
"After reading the numerous posts about the potential failure of the original steel fan I was persuaded to order the one-piece aluminum; this one from Snyder's."
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Jordan, I did read that however something that you may not be aware of is the biggest downfall to the original two-blade fan is/was the reason for these cracks.

Several years ago it was determined by some 'gurus' that harmonics (vibrations) is what caused these fans to crack, and not internal rust as most people cite. It was determined that in their tests, if the fan blades were shortened by a small amount and then rebalanced, this moved the harmonic vibration to a much higher RPM where the A engine generally did not operate in that range. I was definitely not trying to be "smart" or "critical", but I politely asked the OP what his reason for changing the fan was as I was curious if this was due to a crack forming, -or because of aesthetic reason. Again, the keyword that Steve made was the fan had been shortened which triggered my line of questioning.

Thanks for your reply Steve. Since I know of half a dozen or so touring Model-A's using the shortened original fan blade with apparent success, it begs the question whether your fan's crack has been there awhile yet gone unnoticed, -or if it is a recently formed crack. If there is merit in the shortened blade theory, it is plausible this crack has been there for awhile without enlarging.
 
I'm thinking the problem may be with your re-worked radiator?
I also believe the alum fan is a bit SHORTER than the original.
How did the metal fan fit?? Have you compared the two?? Do you have the correct water outlet on the head? What year are we talking here?
Brent: 1ST time I've heard about this harmonic bit and shortening an orig blade?
Paul in CT
 
BRENT in 10-uh-C said:
Several years ago it was determined by some 'gurus' that harmonics (vibrations) is what caused these fans to crack, and not internal rust as most people cite. It was determined that in their tests, if the fan blades were shortened by a small amount and then rebalanced, this moved the harmonic vibration to a much higher RPM where the A engine generally did not operate in that range. I was definitely not trying to be "smart" or "critical", but I politely asked the OP what his reason for changing the fan was as I was curious if this was due to a crack forming, -or because of aesthetic reason. Again, the keyword that Steve made was the fan had been shortened which triggered my line of questioning.
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Hey Brent, always enjoy reading your posts both here and on the MTFCA website...curious how much should be trimmed off the original fan to move the harmonic vibrations up out of the A rpm range.
 
Brent

The crack could be decades old for all I know. Too fine to tell if it's older or recent.

That's interesting about the shortening of an original. I had no idea why it may have been trimmed. Heck I thought it might've been due to close clearances, but hadn't even noticed it was cut down til I took it off and compared it.

If this aluminum one taps the inlet I'm going back to the original and just keeping close tabs on it.

Steve
 
I struggle to gain clearance on my 29 tudor. I did just recently find out that my car has a 30 31 front crossmember and according to the service bulletins requires an extra spacer underneath the radiator on 29 cars. I have always used a spacer but I thought it was a farmers fix not something specified in the service bulletins.
 
1931 flamingo said:
I'm thinking the problem may be with your re-worked radiator?
I also believe the alum fan is a bit SHORTER than the original.
How did the metal fan fit?? Have you compared the two?? Do you have the correct water outlet on the head? What year are we talking here?
Brent: 1ST time I've heard about this harmonic bit and shortening an orig blade?
Paul in CT
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Yo, Paul, Dog:cool: here, Iffin' you cut 8" off each end of a stock "Guillotine" fan, then it would be safe & probly wouldn't viiiiibrate!:D:D Buster T.:cool:
 
Here is my original everything showing the clearance.
Almost original everything, the fan belt and hose are newer.:D

With your 1/4" clearance, I'd say the radiator inlet is off.
 

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I have a 1937 diamond engine in my '29 roadster along with a new Brassworks '29 style radiator. I too just replaced my old, rusted & failing 4 blade fan with a TAMS aluminum 2 blade. Clearance is not a problem with the outlet hose & fan as these later engines had longer outlet necks. But, I wonder if the clearance issue talked about here is due to a short neck combined with an older style radiator ?
 
The year of the motor doesn't matter with the outlet height.
All 1928-9 style radiators should have the short neck.
All 1930-1 style radiators should have the tall outlet, as these radiators are taller.
 
Here's a picture showing the two different water outlets. If I use my small pocket tape and measure tight along the back side I get 6" on the tall outlet, and 5 1/2" on the short one.
 

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Logan said:
Either your radiator inlet is off, or you have the wrong neck on the top of your head
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Does anyone know of a drawing of the correct radiator inlet shape. I have fought this issue with what I thought was an original radiator. Maybe it's a very old replacement.
 
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