Late 1931 Ford fan blade

[PutPutBang]

Have a fan from a '31 Victoria, don't know if it's a 'late 31' fan. Need a late fan for a '31 Ford 400 A. Can anyone describe the difference between early & late '31 fan or post a photo of a late '31 fan.

Thanks,

 

[Kevin in NJ]

Obvious as can be.

One piece single sheet metal at the end. Close to the root there is a line where the metal was folded over and it is 2 layers.

If the fan is smooth on both the front and back side then it is the 2 piece fan or early fan.
If it has the sheet metal step on the back side it is a late 31 fan.

Note: When shopping for a late fan that you plan on using.
Accept no fan that has anything more then light surface rust.
Look for bent and straightened fans. Sight down the top.
If the fan has paint and looks pretty be suspicious. It is best to buy ones that are bare metal or clearly have a light coat of paint.
If they have been welded on then it is a decoration.

A fan (ANY fan you bolt on your car) should never have more than a light coat of paint. You need to be able to see failures start. A fan usually will give you a hint it wants to destroy your engine compartment, you just have to look regularly and do something about it when you see it.
Pretty much every fan out there has failed. The repros on the market today seem to be pretty good, but in 30 years we will find out how good. So keep the paint thin on them too.

 

[Charles Coe]

The JS lists two single thickness fans. The 2nd which would be appropriate for late 31 has the line for the double thickness more straight across rather than with a radius like the earlier single thickness fan. The double thickness fans were also used throughout production and would be appropriate for late 31.

 

[Mike V. Florida]

FAN and FAN BELT
Only two basic types of fans were used during
the Model A Ford production. The first used
throughout production, was a steel, two bladed,
double thickness propeller type manufactured by
Ford. In late July 1930, an engineering drawing was
released for the production of a single thickness
fan blade to be produced by Holley with a large
radius In late 1930, the single thickness fan blade
was designed so that the largo' radius was
eliminated (see illustration). This latter fan blade
was also used through the end of production. The
7 /16”-20 (29/64”x5/8”) castle nut securing the fan
to the water pump shaft was black enamel. Castle
nuts had rounded grooves in 1928-1929 and castle
nuts with square cut grooves began appearing in
1930 and by 1931 were predominantly used.

 

[DougVieyra]

Because of the many negitive reports of original fan blades failing, and other issues such as balancing, there is now a currently available Aluminum Fan.

Aside from any 'Fine Point - Blue Ribbon' judging considerations, how well does the currently available Aluminum Fan serve its purpose ? How well is it made, how well does it hold up, any mechanical 'issues' with it ? What might it's pluses and minusus be ?

 

[Mike V. Florida]

Aside from any 'Fine Point - Blue Ribbon' judging considerations, how well does the currently available Aluminum Fan serve its purpose ? How well is it made, how well does it hold up, any mechanical 'issues' with it ? What might it's pluses and minusus be ?

Serves very well as it has the same shape as the original.
Years ago there were problems with blade tracking but that seems to have been cleared up.
Never heard of a failure yet.
No mechanical issues noted in the last year or two.