Broken Model A Fan Blade with car damage

I think the only way to get this changed without the death of someone is a mass movemnt of sorts form the members. Maybe then and only then will they see that this is one thing that must be changed. I understand the need and desire to have cars judged just as they were when they were new. The clubs make exceptions for other safety items such as seatbelts and ony have a 5 point deduction for cast iron drums, but still insist on the fan that has proven time and time again to be flawed and dangerious. I know most fine point car owners scrutenize ther fans carefully and search for sometimes years to find a good one. Eventually it will catch up with the clubs and who is going to to pay the price with injury and someone elxe will pay the price by being sued. Just my thoughts. Rod
 
Of all the failed fans in the pictures none are of the later version with the single thickness blade --I have seen one, but it had been bent and straightened where it broke.

Many so called restored cars have things a lot more dangerous than an original fan blade.

The hood and radiator seem to a good job of containing the errant blade, the risk would be standing in line of the blade with the hood open waiting to catch it while watching the crack get bigger as you rev the engine up ---probably something you can find on you-tube
 
Kevin, I certainly agree that any fan on a model “A” should be carefully inspected periodically for cracks. As for the new cast aluminum solid fans, they will have an entirely different stress profile due to the fact that they are solid. It will be interesting to see if these fans start failing as they gain fatigue cycles. Cast aluminum has very poor fatigue strength due to small voids in the casting. Since these voids are random in quantity and location, some fans might never fail whereas others might fail relatively early. So what could be causing the fore & aft cyclic loading of the fan blades? I think it might be the 2 x engine RPM unbalance inherent in all 4 cylinder in line engines. It is especially severe for long stroke engines such as the Model “A”. Although this force is in the vertical direction, some of it may be translated to fore & aft due to the flexible spring front mount.
 
Danger - Original Model A Fan Blade

I greatly appreciate the inputs received but need many more. Surely from the talk I've heard over time, there must be a lot more documentation out there to prove this danger claimed about the original A fan blade!
I've only heard from 3 people. Maybe this is why nothing has been done to deal with this "perceived" danger! Is there really just these few?
If you have this evidence, pass it on to me please!
jamessg1@verizon.net
 
Re: Danger - Original Model A Fan Blade

are you starting some kind of class action suit:confused:
 
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Re: Danger - Original Model A Fan Blade

If you are doing research , then contact Bergs and Brassworks and they will tell you how many radiators they sell each year from a broken fan .

This problem is very real and is no joke .
 
Re: Danger - Original Model A Fan Blade

Mine came apart and flow off the car while I was driving through a park. No one was hurt thank God! REPLACE IT! Or, find out for yourself the hard way.
 
Re: Danger - Original Model A Fan Blade

Nothing lasts FOREVER, just look at ME:(!
Bill W.
 

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Re: Danger - Original Model A Fan Blade

I had removed the generator from our 28 Phaeton, thought now is the time to really check the fan blade, it looked good, but noticed a 1/2" long crack next to the pulley hub, It was the org. 2 blade fan. We ordered a new 2 blade fan and is in place. :) Think I'll frame the old one.....

We was going on tour this past Saturday and my friend noticed a noise under the hood, checked it out, loose fan blade:o, I figure he was lucky. Checkum' good.......

Jim
 
Re: Danger - Original Model A Fan Blade

Noticed crack in hub while doing some other work. Removed the fan and bent it open to see the inner condition. It was ready to come apart.
 

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Re: Danger - Original Model A Fan Blade

Let me add my own 2 cents. A number of years ago, I needed to rebuild my water pump. Upon examination, I noticed that there were cracks in my fan blades right at the hub. Good thing I noticed that. I bought a new 2 blade aluminum fan and installed it. No problems since then. I have a friend who wasn't so lucky. His original fan blades flew off their hub and cut a nice gash in his radiator. That was an expense he didn't need.
Rog
 
Re: Danger - Original Model A Fan Blade

Research the threads on this subject for input: it's there!
 
Re: Danger - Original Model A Fan Blade

My buddy had his blow off and lodge halfway out of the top hood panel.
 
Original Model A Fan - Interest - safety

Nothing so involved as a class action law suite! I spotted my old original fan hanging in the garage recently and thought back. I found that crack about 42,000 miles ago, back in 1998 or so, or soon after the aluminum fans came out. I just don't believe those stories about the built in flaws of the cast aluminum fans. If this was an inherent flaw in the fan itself, seems that all the insurance companies would put out a notice to that effect. The first time someone gets hurt or killed and the ins co has to pay out big $, there will be some hot action.
In the meantime, we should document as much as possible and get the Judging standards to accept the two blade reproduction fan blade.

I was hoping to gather 20 or more examples and stories about damage and cost this failed fan has caused. Otherwise I['ll just have to let it ride until????

So far it is all just scary chatter and little facts.
jamessg1@verizon.net
 
Re: Original Model A Fan - Interest - safety

Jim,

There has to be at least 20 plus stories on these fans.

Come on guys and gals...give Jim your experience and photos and other information he is wanting.

Pluck
 
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