The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Here's a strange one...

Hopped into my trusty '49 today to go pick up an old 17" Delta Drillpress. After the drillpress was safely loaded, I started out for home. As I left the second stop light the truck made a loud "bang/shutter". Imediately I thought the drive line broke. Shut her down and coasted to the side of the road; inspected everything. Evertyhing seemed normal. Started it back up, and she shook violently but still had full oil pressure and temp didn't move. Tried to drive it to see what was wrong and it shook even more.

So I was lucky enough to be on top of a long grade and coasted within 1/4 mile of my shop and limped it home. Further investigating revealed a small hole on the radiator finns... That's strange!? It seems one of the fan blades went on strike... It flew right off and only nicked the radiator. I have never seen nor heard of this happening... Have you?

{Oh yea, That big ole' drillpress looked good in the back of the truck }

It happens. Really a problem on Fjord Model As, but I've heard of it on most any type of vehicle. Be glad you don't have any holes in your radiator, hood or fenders.

Yep , I had that happen on my old '39 sedan ,, gave me a huge surprise ,, the lost fan blade sliced clean thru the inner fender and was lost in the weeds on the other side of the road ..

Happened to me on the `48 1-ton.
I was driving down the road, made a left turn and went down the road. shifted from 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th and WHAM!
Whole truck was shaking violently. I pulled dover to look for the hole I thought would be in the side of the engine and everythig looked fine except for the engine shaking to beat hell. WHen I got it home, I pulled the rocker cover to see which pushrod I had bent,,,, Hmmmmmm,,,, None bent :confused:
I was reaching for the fan blade to help turn the engine to look at the rest of the pushrods and there was nothing there on that side :rolleyes:
I looked for the missing piece as there was no holes in the hood, fenders or radiator. I found a piece of metal bent in half and folded in half the other way laying just on top of the brake line which runs in the front cross-member
Replaced the fan and truck ran fine

I haven't had this happen to me but I know it has happened to my truck in the past. When I got the truck there was a nice slice, bent outward, in the hood that was obviously from a fan blade flying off...

Happens more often than you might think, to most any make.

Think about that the next time you lean over the radiator to rev up the engine!

TMOTT: Warm engine, add cat napping, start engine!
Cat dead, fan blade gone!! popcorn
The Truth is Out There (Got a puppy yet?)

Well, I guess it isn't as unheard of as I thought. Now that Vintage Auto Parts is gone, I'm going to have to look a bit harder for a correct fan. Still, it was a big surprise when it let go! My fan bade ended up bent and resting on the crossmenber just like Lukes'.

Looking for a new dog but figure it will happen when the time is right.

SAme thing happened to me. The old fans develop stress cracks at the base of the blades, then fly off. In my case it took out the top radiator tank, fan belt, a power steering hose and punched a hole in the hood.

I wouldn't trust any old fan. Too many horror stories out there, and new fans aren't too expensive. FAR cheaper than a radiator or body work and paint.

Or your head if you happen to be looking at the fan wondering why one blade looks 'bent'

chip

Today went way better than I expected. Got the radiator fixed for $43.28. Then went to Vintage Auto to see if they were still letting things go before the "CRUSHER" takes over.

"Go look, Good luck!" There were only 3 AD's left. Within 5 minutes I was $5 poorer and one fan richer.

I agree with the newer fans being somewhat better, but I like things to be the way they were. So for under $50 bucks I'm back on the road.

Happy motoring!

I too had this happen. We were in our '57 going about 60. When the blade broke it went straight down bounced up off of the pavement and hit the floor of the cab with one heck of a bang!

A good argument for going to an electric fan.

Tmott, it does happen, too often. Usually we get lucky like you did and no body was hurt. Locobreath I think about that everytime I am around an engine driven fan, that's every work day. I try to stay out of the plane of the blades when possible. For darn sure I stay out of the plane when I rev an engine. If you ever hear a tinnie sounding noise with an engine running, remove and inspect the fan carefully. I have found two cracked fans just that way. Some large trucks are using plastic fans now days. These can hurt you too if a blade breaks off. I will not straighten a blade. If a fan is damaged, it's junk to me. Mike

Slomoe,

I hear you loud and clear! I went as far as to inspect the fan with a magnifying glass and I used my lawn mover blade balancer to balance it. She purrs like a kitten again!