Shattering Fan Blades - myth or ?

Thanks to all for the quick replies. Larry I was sure you were right - it has to be a ticking time bomb.
My mind was already made up to replace, and the consensus is that the aluminum one is fine. I like to keep it original, but am not going to go to any judging, which those will count against, so a Snyder 2-blade is what I will be ordering. I saw you post Dick about your failure and Jim's site and is one of the reasons I asked for advice - agreed anything mechanical may fail and or will. I'd rather find another excuse for a new radiator or new hood.
I guess I could use the old one on a Model A Whirlygig or something
 
How can you tell again if you are using an original fan? Doesn't a magnet stick to the originals but not the new ones?
 
I agree with others that have pointed out the rusty line that you can feel on your fan blade IS without a doubt a crack. I would very strongly urge you not to be doing any work under the hood with the engine running, even at idle speed. Last time I checked a new fan is a heck of a lot cheaper than a new radiator, a new hood or a trip to the emergency room to have a fan blade removed from your forehead.
 
After having one original and two old four blade fans sling a blade I now only use the aluminum two blade fans from Snyders. I do have a bunch of old original 2 blade fans that I consider good as decorators or museum display.
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I just removed one from a ford power plant for a saw blade that i just bought and wanted to get running i found the fan blade had a large crack in it not sure how long it was run that way but thanks to the ford barn info about the dangers of cracked fan blades i check my all the time and tell the other club members to do the same
 
What is the position on Judging? (capital "J") I know cast iron brake drums are not marked against. Are replacement fans (offered in safety considerations - like cast iron brake drums) given a pass?

Maybe this should become a thought? Imagine if some child were killed after being struck by an errant fan blade? Model A folks would then be characterized by the media as "primitive uncaring neanderthals who drive unsafe and unroadworthy antique automobiles. And do so at the peril of the general motoring public."

No doubt this thought does NOT appeal. I remember discussion at the "other" Model A board on this subject and many (not all) were on the side of "I know my fan and it's safe."

But sad to say and not to delve into the politics of the situation. It's a brave new world out there both politically, legislatively, and litigationally. The hobby may have to change a bit to be given a pass by the public at large. And the best passes we give are the ones we give to ourselves - since WE get to be in the drivers seat on these.

Just throwing this up, er out for others to chew on.

Joe K
 
I introduced and the JSC of both clubs passed allowing a metal two balde fan past the 13 point blue ribbon inspection. After that there is a deduction for non-original repop parts as with anything else.
 
"Model A folks would then be characterized by the media as "primitive uncaring neanderthals who drive unsafe and unroadworthy antique automobiles. And do so at the peril of the general motoring public." quote Joe K

I thought that the media had been saying that since the 1970's. You forgot to include the oil leaking, and air polluting adjectives.:)
 
One thing is for sure, when that blade let's go you will know it!!. I thought the world had come to an end. I got lucky, didn't hit the read. Hit the hood down low. Got a 4 blade and water pump. Fixed the hood and painted side panel. I think I'll go to a plastic fan.
 
Ugh, let's not go there....

I have the plastic fan on the Model A, just ignore if anyone says anything about it. Let them spout off all they want, I won't be the one with a fan flying apart.
 
Here are two photos of a failure, not mine!!!! The owner did not think you had to do your preventive maintenance and a Model A would run forever. I have seen the fan blade take out the radiator and go through the hood.


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2nd photo

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All fans are prone to breakage.The later 4 blade is no different than any other cars that had them.40's,50's,60's,70's.They all are aging and need to be watched.I've replaced them on dozens of pieces of equipment over the years.Fans are a big seller at the salvage yards here.Back when 100,000 was the end of life for a car the fan was never a problem.Now with people running well over 200,000 before thinking about replacing the fans have become a problem.By their very nature fans are terminal.They flex,and when you bend a piece of metal back and forth enough they break.The ones with the stainless riveted on blades are the worst.AAA dropped an S10 pickup here a few years ago,the owner heard a crash on the highway and shut it off.There was a fan blade sticking out of the grille.I have a Ranger in the garage right now with half of a plastic fan,rust got between the hub and fan,so the plastic gave way.My only exploded Model A fan was an aluminum one.It came apart at around 60 MPH.The casting was full of voids where it broke off.It was just a bad one.
 
NOT A MYTH!!!!! On a 60 mile tour, 2 of our guys exploded 2 blade fans!!
Can't convince myself on alujimum fans, all I think of is "BEERCANS"?????? Bill W.
 
Maybe someone could set up a comparison between the new Aluminum fans and the original fans?

My impression is they're "similar" but not identical in shape.

Joe K
 
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