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| | | | Joined: Feb 2021 Posts: 156 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2021 Posts: 156 | I am looking for a fan blade replacement. I can certainly buy a stock blade but is there a better available that fits. It's for a 235.
Long story short; the replacement engine I was hauling home tipped on its side and bent the blade. I bent it straight but I believe the strength in the metal was compromised and now the edge of blade will hit the radiator at higher revs.
54 Chevy 3100 Deluxe 3 speed on column. Keeping original as possible but changed to 12 volt system.
JB Weld..."I put that stuff on everything"
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2021 Posts: 6,764 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2021 Posts: 6,764 | I think you should find an original fan. These trucks aren't known for having overheating problems so there is no need for an "upgrade" in my opinion.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe |1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1969 Pontiac GTO (The Dishpit) I 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
| | | | | Joined: May 2015 Posts: 11,040 Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums | | Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums Joined: May 2015 Posts: 11,040 | You may be able to reuse the fan blade you have. If you bent it back straight (only once) the metal should still be strong enough so that it won't flop around. Depends on how far it was bent. Unless the bend has kinked the metal, straightening it should work fine. You'd be surprised how much strength steel has even when bent multiple times. Try bending a piece of wire to break it and count how many bends it takes for it to break.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truckFollow this saga in Project JournalPhotos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 734 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 734 | These old fans can get fatigued and throw a blade right through the hood! No, didn't happen to me but it definitely CAN happen. It's probably a good idea to see if your machine shop can magnaflux it or whatever for cracks that are invisible to the eye. Don't know anyone who's done that though.
Tempted to remove the belt driven fan and see how much quieter it is at highway speeds. Stovebolter HRL (Jerry) says it makes a big difference.
Matthew 6:33 1952 Chevy 1/2-ton 3100 Late '55 235/SM420/torque tube 3.55 Dalton Highway survivor (using original 216) www.truckwithaheart.com | | | | | Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 892 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 892 | Jerry is right about the noise but if it's put to truck duty it's likley to overheat on hills also in heavy traffic. Even with an electric fan mine will overheat on hills but it's in severe service so I have both mechanical and electric set to come on at 200 deg.
1951 3800 1-ton"Earning its keep from the get-go"In the DITY Gallery1962 261 (w/cam, Fenton headers, 2 carbs, MSD ign.), SM420 & Brown-Lipe 6231A 3spd aux. trans, stock axles & brakes. Owned since 1971. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2021 Posts: 156 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2021 Posts: 156 | I believe I will need to replace the fan. Yes, it bent rather far back. From all I've gathered, I need an 18". Amazingly, the online part stores that usually come through with most parts do not have 4 bladed fan 18". I'm not sure if one for the 216 engine would fit or be efficient. They have those.
54 Chevy 3100 Deluxe 3 speed on column. Keeping original as possible but changed to 12 volt system.
JB Weld..."I put that stuff on everything"
| | | | | Joined: May 2015 Posts: 11,040 Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums | | Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums Joined: May 2015 Posts: 11,040 | Measure the bolt pattern and the diameter of the fan center hole where it fits on the water pump. The vendors usually provide that info.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truckFollow this saga in Project JournalPhotos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2019 Posts: 4,476 AD Addict & Tinkerer | | AD Addict & Tinkerer Joined: Feb 2019 Posts: 4,476 | In ‘54 (and ‘55), Chevy changed from a 216 to a 235, but the water pumps are the same, so a 216 fan blade will fit.
Post an ad for a 216 fan and hopefully some ‘Bolter will come to your rescue!
Phil Moderator, The Engine Shop, Interiors and Project Journals1952 Chevrolet 3100, Three on the Tree, 4:11 torque tube Updated to: ‘59 235 w/hydraulic lifters, 12v w/alternator, HEI, PCV and Power front Disc BrakesProject JournalsStovebolt Gallery Forum | | |
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