I picked up this fan at a swap meet a couple of years ago. I know it's off a Ford flathead V8 but I don't know the application. I suspect it's from a COE truck. I thought it would be different and kind of cool to use it on a hot rod. In the early days would they have ever used a fan like this? It has what looks like a type of mechanical oil pickup inside it to lube the shaft and some oil. I think it's probably just 30 weight. There's a screw on the side and I'm guessing that's the fill hole. Has anyone got any experience with these? Any downside to using it in a low HP application? I'll be using it on near stock HP 8RT that will find itself in a 29 roadster.
http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_oilfilledfan-servicetips.htm Info on how to take care of them. I will be using that hub with a french flathead, which is basicly a 8ba front. I can't use THAT fan, because of clearance issue. I have to use a thinner aftermarket fan, but had planned on using that fan had it fit better.
Thanks for the link. I've never seen one before. I'm hoping I wont have clearance issues. I won't know for a bit. My engine's still on the stand with a truck rad cooling it. Big duece were you originally going to use the 6 bladed fan like the one I have or was it more like the one in the link? Just curious which one you had clearance issues with.
The best choice! The six blade truck fan actually has two COOL factors with all the cast iron and heavy steel rivets for old school looks and it will always keep that old flathead actually cool! I can really feel the air flow behind my roadster that six blade old school fan works. Never overheats!! Midwest Early Ford has the complete rebuild kits. Clean it up and rebuild it right. I run a little moly oil blend in mine and make sure to check it once a year. Fill when the fill screw is at 90 degree side spot with an eye dropper. This way you don't overfill. Hope this helps. 32 Spitfire High Noon Speed Shop http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/take-me-home-counrty-roads.996237/#post-11226325
From the last line of the information page; “Don't forget to p*** this on to the next owner of the vehicle should you sell it in the future.” Some of the best advice for any car builder. I keep a zippered loose leaf binder with alphabetized separators for each build I do, Any part I buy or trade for goes in by part number (and dealer information) make, model, and year, any information that will help if I have replace the part later, also any information sheets that I can glean from the internet goes in. It seems like a lot of trouble doing it until you have to replace a part a few years after you made a modification to a car with a part from some other make of vehicle.
Hope you also have the special curved metal washer inserts and the screws. Look here. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Flathe...ash=item4646c78f3c:g:kIYAAOSwo3pWdy2V&vxp=mtr
Cool x2. That's a great endor*****t. I'm definitely going to clean it up an use it as you said. Thanks for the tips on the oil and filling it. Cheers,
I was checking that hub out last night. I think mine's still serviceable but it's nice to see NOS still out there. Yes I still have the curved metal threaded pieces and the screws. Everything appears to be in decent usable shape. Cheers,
I'm building an 239 V8, that came out of a '49 Ford 1 1/2 ton truck. It's going in my Jeep when the engine's ready. My fan is exactly like yours. The hub has two gaskets that should be replaced, every now and then. (I think Van pelt has 'em...I usually make most of my gaskets, but these would be difficult to get right) The way to lube the hub is to remove the filler screw, then with the hole straight up, add a little 90 wt....it won't take much. As someone above said, an eye-dropper would be ideal. Then, with the filler screw still off, rotate the hub until the filler hole is straight down. If there is excess oil, it will leak out. But, because of a tube that extends up into the cavity of the hub, the precise amount of lube will remain inside. It can get messy, so be prepared to catch any run-off. I'd pick a warm day, or have a heated garage...90 wt is thicker than honey when cold! If nothing leaks out, add a little more. Don't worry, you can't overfill the reservoir) These hubs will probably last forever, if you ensure they never run dry. There's no seals, so expect to get a little oil mist around the shaft, now and then. If you can find a small copper washer, that'd make a perfect seal for the filler screw.
Is it just the camera angle or are some of those blades bent ? I suspect the camera angle, but may pay to check.
Thanks for the info. That's exactly what the link big duece posted described. Sounds simple enough but from what I read there it was often neglected. I've seen these fans in a few cars now that I'm paying attention. Interestingly I've seen steel blade versions as well as the aluminium ones like mine. They both look exactly the same too.
Ya, it's just the camera angle and lighting. I was trying to eliminate the shadow in the picture so I had a less than perfect angle. Thanks for the keen eye though.
I spotted one of those fan hubs at a swap meet for $10 and asked why it was so big, I was only used to 8BA ones..The kid told me it was special, had gears inside..I said "Oh, one of those. That's rare, more like $75." I p***ed and moved on but stopped to look at something just in time the hear some one yell $75 , you nuts? What gears? I moved quickly..
That looks good. I think you've made good use of that limited space. I know I'm going to be having clearance problems too down the road.
Just saw this and thought I'd reply. I bought one of these 6 blade aluminum fans a couple months ago and have since restored it to go on a super-charged 8BA that I'm planning and slowly gathering parts for. I've recently seen these aluminum fans go for pretty big money on ebay and I've read a few posts and articles here and there that say they are basically the pinnacle of flathead cooling fan technology. I agree with all the oiling and gasket comments above, the van pelts site is pretty comprehensive with their explanation of the fan hub. The one I bought hadn't been oiled in decades, but cleaned up really nice with some elbow grease. I used a rust dissolver to even everything back out and then primed and painted black (masked off the aluminum to show off), the new gaskets came from Mac's. I'll post a few photos when I get home. Overall, I think you've got a good part to hang onto and use.
In the early days they would have used whatever was available that fit. If the fan fits and the rivets are not loose why not use it, not because it is cool but because it will cool your motor.
Interesting, thanks for the info. When I found it I thought is was kind of cool just based on the construction. I didn't think aluminium blades were very common because I'd not come across one before. Not that I come across many flathead parts in my neck of the woods that aren't part of someones hoard already. I'll look forward to seeing your photos. Cheers,
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