Cracked Fan

nickair

Senior Member
Took the wife to lunch today and upon return I checked the engine compartment to see a new 1/2 inch crack in the two blade original fan an inch from the hub. Dang it. Although, thankful I noticed it since there is a new radiator inches from it. Time for an upgrade. Thoughts?
 
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Question: is it a new fan, relatively new fan, or an old fan?

I have a steel four blader on my '30, and I examine it occasionally for cracks. I have been told to replace it as it will eventually work harden from vibration and crack.

Yet, what to replace it with? I have heard of folks having problems with repro fans....

Thanks
 
Yes, the fan is an original steel 2 blade. This crack is the only one. Photo attached
 

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Are you sure that is aluminum, looks like an original to me. Almost
looks like one one I have.

Bob
 

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nickair,

Take a magnet and see if it sticks to the fan or not.

I am with the others as it does not look like a aluminum fan, at least not the current ones out now.

BUT...Who knows what old Henry was experimenting with during the Model A era!

Pluck
 
Holy cow, where's the duct tape when you need it?:confused::D

Yep, it's steel. I just put a magnet to the picture of it, and it stuck.:D
 
Dog:cool: here,
Well, personally, my Buddy, Ol' Bill & I don't trust anything made out uf BEER CANS, Vermin sports a 6 blade, BLACK plastic fan:D NEVER seen one BREAK!
Buster T.:cool:
 
Quick, get the JB weld !!! just joking. Actually my thought also is that it looks like an original. The sides of the pulley look too thin to be an aluminum repro. No harm meant and I'm not tring to make you out to be a lie. Do the magnet test, but by all means replace the fan before it does greivious harm !!!
 
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Plastic fans break too, i have replaced several, along with the radiator sliced by the blade and dents in the hood
 
I just did the highly technical magnet test on the fan. It is an original steel two blade. Thread post is now edited to reflect correct fan material. I assumed it was a replacement rather than an 83 year old original. We all know what assuming gets us. Oops. Thanks guys for pointing it out from my photo.
Now what about replacement options? Thoughts...
 
I just did the highly technical magnet test on the fan. It is an original steel two blade. Thread post is now edited to reflect correct fan material. I assumed it was a replacement rather than an 83 year old original. We all know what assuming gets us. Oops. Thanks guys for pointing it out from my photo.
Now what about replacement options? Thoughts...

Simple, repop aluminum from any of the vendors.
 
I've run one of those 6 blade plastic fans for many thousands of miles with no sign of trouble - not that the aluminium fan on my other car has been found wanting. As I see it, if you want things to look close to original, go for the Al fan, otherwise consider the plastic one.
Good pick up before it separated!! Well spotted.
 
You were very lucky because that's a major crack and soon would have been in two pieces.

You can also see rust pits where the fan meets the hub. I'd buy an aluminum fan.
 
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