Is my fan OK?

I've decided to flatbed Sarah to Larry's. Of course, she'll come back and demand a closed in transport.......women!!!!!! :rolleyes:
 
31 Model A said:
I have already purchased a replacement two blade fan. The reason why I don't change it out is, I don't have the facility nor the tools to do it, nor the experience. If I did, I would have already done it. I'm thinking seriously of having it transported to Larry's house and not having the worry.
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I would think you could pay someone to do a house call cheaper than having it towed. Then you could drive it there. There has got to be someone close enough willing to drive to your location and replace the fan for a fee...

Chris
 
CWilson said:
I would think you could pay someone to do a house call cheaper than having it towed. Then you could drive it there. There has got to be someone close enough willing to drive to your location and replace the fan for a fee...

Chris
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My problem and my worry has disappeared. Larry said he'd come pick her up. He transports As everywhere.................. I'm once again a happy camper!!!! :)
 
That 4-blade fan looks just like the one I removed from my 28 Tudor and mounted on the wall of my shop when I replaced it with a 2-blade aluminum fan.
 
Those that say an original fan can be restored are playing Russian Roulette because there is no way to determine / measure the fatigue life remaining of any fan.

Those that say they can lower the stress levels in an original fan to make it serviceable are taking a very foolish gamble.

For the cost of a safe new fan ($60 to $80) why would anyone risk a $600 radiator, a $200 hood panel, the cost of a flatbed ride home and possibly hospital bills?

For goodness sake, buy a new fan!
 
Big hammer said:
Is a late 31 two blade fan better than early two blade fans? Pictures would help
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You mean an 80 year old "improved" fan compared to a fan that Ford found need improvement?

Yes - but I think the consensus is you still have an 80 year old fan with 80 years of stress and wear and tear.

The improved design reduced (not did away with) the tendency of the fan blades to present a "pocket" for water and potential corrosion. Sorry no pix.

If I felt determined to keep it "all ford" (note not original since 90 percent of Model A Ford had not the availability of the improved fan when they came off the assembly line) - this is the one I would go with.

If I owned a late 31 that came with the improved fan originally, I would likely try to keep it going. (I don't so I don't)

Joe K
 
After much deliberation I finally decided to go with the plastic "Toyota"fan as I call it.

It's exceptionally ugly and looks incongruous with the rest of the car but it's extremely efficient and less lethal in the unlikely event of a catastrophic failure.
 

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I used original fans for many years but never again on a driving "A". I had a original on my 30 Deluxe Coupe, it had been magnifluxed , a blade broke when traveling at 50 MPH, took out the radiator and right top side of the hood. I replaced it with a new aluminum two blade fan. Attached is a picture of the broken fan, even though magnifluxed it does not show the condition of fan on the hollow inside.

Ron
 
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Just had one let loose on a 1951 Dodge Weapons carrier. It took out the radiator, the fan shroud and put a nice slice in the hood. it is a low mileage vehicle always taken care of. It was a four blade fan with no sign of failure. ???? Luckily no one was looking at or working on the engine while it was running!
It happened once before to myself and a friend about 30 years ago driving on the expressway from Milwaukee to Chicago in his 52 Ford pickup. All of a sudden we heard a loud bang, We pulled over of course and looked things over but didnt notice the fan. We started again slowly but had a violent vibration as we sped up. Pulled over again and spied it. Easy fix, we bent off the opposite side of the 4 blade and made it back with no further problem. He threw another fan on the next day !
 
Thanks everyone for IDing my fan as an original replacement. One more bit of knowledge gained! I've read in the archives that you should overhaul the water pump while you have the fan and rad out. I'll search the forum on that and probably need help establishing what kind of pump I have, but I'll start another thread for that one. Thanks!

Chris
 
I've not seen a four blade B fan come apart in 30 years of watching. Anything can happen, mine has been running since I took my original two blade off because of the chance it will go air bourne on me. Looks nice on my shelf, but will continue to run the four blade as long as it is tight and the rivets aren't a problem.
 
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