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Discussion Topic:
Radiator Fan Noise
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Drbrown |
11-18-2013 @ 8:56 PM
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Senior
Posts: 570
Joined: Nov 2013
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Under previous owner, my '47 V8 had its 4-blade steel radiator fan replaced with a 6-blade fiberglas one, perhap due to cooling problems. Have no cooling problems but at upper RPM's in first and second gear the car sounds more like an vintage prop-plane taking off. Can hear it well in the pasenger compartment. Has anyone ever improvised with a modern temperature-accuated clutch-drive fan ?
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Old Henry |
11-18-2013 @ 10:48 PM
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Senior
Posts: 738
Joined: Apr 2010
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Ford actually made an optional thermostatically controlled fan hub. Part number 59A 8665. Here's the description and illustration in the sales literature.
Old Henry (The older I get, the better old looks.)
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Drbrown |
11-19-2013 @ 8:43 PM
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Senior
Posts: 570
Joined: Nov 2013
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Oh Henry .... Interesting - that original Ford clutch-operated fan. Must be impossible to find an existing one much less a working one. I replaced a clutch unit (only) on my '03 VW fan - easy job, not expensive, compact device. I'm tempted but I wonder if such would survive the weight and force of a larger diameter fan blade, and if such a conversion might re-open the door to overheating.
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Old Henry |
11-19-2013 @ 9:08 PM
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Senior
Posts: 738
Joined: Apr 2010
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If it was me I'd put the stock 4 blade fan back on. Mine has worked fine for 215,000 miles. Cooling problems aren't a result of too few fan blades. They're something else.
Old Henry (The older I get, the better old looks.)
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supereal |
11-20-2013 @ 3:04 PM
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Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
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A noisy fan, steel or fiberglass, is often noisy if one or more blades is cracked.
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Drbrown |
11-20-2013 @ 6:08 PM
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Senior
Posts: 570
Joined: Nov 2013
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A previous owner removed the original steel 4-blader so don't have an original. I could put a wanted request out but doubt there are many original blades around. Its already become "non-stock" so an option could be going to a pair of electric fans = quiet, minor efficiency gain, but add electric load and cost. .... Prefer stock. Good idea re checking for cracked blades ! Although not applicable to my case, if it were a steel bladed fan the blade(s) could be bent or twisted. Thanks guys ....
This message was edited by Drbrown on 11-20-13 @ 6:21 PM
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Old Henry |
11-20-2013 @ 6:56 PM
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Senior
Posts: 738
Joined: Apr 2010
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Here's your fan: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1942-1948-FORD-V8-FAN-ASSEMBLY-/231063193778?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35cc7088b2&vxp=mtr
Old Henry (The older I get, the better old looks.)
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supereal |
11-21-2013 @ 6:36 AM
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Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
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Some of the fiberglass fans were sold on the premise that, being flexible, the pitch of the blades would vary, providing increased flow at lower speeds, and would flatten as rotation increased, due to centrifugal force, reducing the amount of power required. The design was noisy because there was no way to control the pitch of each blade, and they virtually flapped as they ran.
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