fan blade analysis and repair

L

lindy williams

Senior Member
The Mar.-April 1997 "MODEL A NEWS" contains an excellent article on original fans, failure analysis and repair. Has anyone had a failure with a fan repaired to this standard? Will a new aluminum meet the standards of balance and straightness called for by this article?
 
It is an excellent article. I have "repaired" eleven original fans following the directions in the article and, at this point have found no further cracking. The highest mileage modified fan has in excess of 30 K miles. As an aside, I have seen a number of the cast aluminum fans that have blades that do not have the same pitch. That causes an aerodynamic imbalance that some engineers feel is as bad as dynamic imbalance. All Model A owners would be well served to read and understand what is written in the Restorer article. Gar Williams
 

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Hi Lindy,

I just lost an original 2 blade, it broke just exactly where the article in the Restorer said it would. Been running originals for 48 years and this was the first one that broke a blade; guess I was running against the odds ?
I removed the original on my Roadster and replaced it with an aluminum 2 blade; plan to make the modification as shown in the Restorer article.

Note: when it broke it took out the radiator on my 30 Coupe and damaged the passenger side hood top. All repairs are done and its back on the road.

Ron Rude
 
Mr. Rude,

Are you "back on the road" with another original 2 blade fan? A repaired 2 blade original fan? Or a aluminum 2 blade fan in your 30 Coupe?

Pluck
 
Pluck,

Yes, Aluminum 2 blade; also changed the original on the Roadster, not taking another chance; will repair the original later.

Did you see my answer to your question on A3107-B ?

Ron
 
Ron in Quincy said:
Hi Lindy,

I just lost an original 2 blade, it broke just exactly where the article in the Restorer said it would. Been running originals for 48 years and this was the first one that broke a blade; guess I was running against the odds ?
I removed the original on my Roadster and replaced it with an aluminum 2 blade; plan to make the modification as shown in the Restorer article.

Note: when it broke it took out the radiator on my 30 Coupe and damaged the passenger side hood top. All repairs are done and its back on the road.

Ron Rude
Click to expand...

Was there signs of rust on the broken blade?
How often was the blade inspected for cracks?
How fast do you normally drive?

I'm also using an original fan and only inspect it when I think about it. I like to drive no faster than 45. There is a small outward dent in my left hood panel. It is probably from a fan blade that broke many years ago, before I owned the car.
 
I have been driving my 28 pickup with an oringinal 2 blade fan since 1970, watching carefully for signs of a crack. It finally showed up last month. The truck has been sidelined from driving until I can get the new aluminum 2 blade fan on it. It is not worth the chance of that fan blade going thru a $600 radiator or a pristine hood or maybe my head. Well, maybe my hard head it would not hurt much.
 
Consider replacing your water pump studs with te reproduction "imitation stud bolts" which look like studs with nuts, yet are really bolts. This permits you to replace the water pump or fan without having to bend the radiator and such. I have done it but have not tried to just "pull" the water pump, hood on, yet.
 
Tom,

What was upsetting, just before our 230 mile tour, I installed a new rebuilt waterpump, inspected the original fan and did'nt observe any cracks or problems.

Ron
 
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