The Ford Barn

John Borland · 10-27-2015, 04:45 PM

I have an intermediate (occurs off an on every 15 seconds or so) rattling noise that I think may be from my fan belt not being exactly aligned with the engine fan pulley (it is about a 1/2" further away from the radiator at the fan pulley compared to the alternator pulley).

A couple months ago, I had a more consistent noise from the fan blade not being tight enough. I took the fan off inspected it, and then re-installed it more tightly. The fan seems to be still tight, though I can slightly jingle the outer ends of the fan by hand. Any help in further diagnosing (before I order in a new fan) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
John

Mitch//pa · 10-27-2015, 04:56 PM

what kind of fan? original 2 blade steel? maybe its coming apart
if it is get the 2 blade aluminun those old blades are a time bomb and can decapitate ya

John Borland · 10-27-2015, 05:07 PM

It's an aluminum 2 blade fan. I checked the fan for cracks when I had it off and found none. I'm thinking that maybe I tighten it too much. Guess I will take the fan belt off and see if the noise goes away. Problem being is that the noise is not consistent.

modelaer · 10-27-2015, 05:13 PM

Is there any end play on the water pump shaft?

Pete

Tiny · 10-27-2015, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Borland

It's an aluminum 2 blade fan. I checked the fan for cracks when I had it off and found none. I'm thinking that maybe I tighten it too much. Guess I will take the fan belt off and see if the noise goes away. Problem being is that the noise is not consistent.

How old is it? I have read the taper was wrong on some of the early aluminum two blade fans.

29spcoupe · 10-27-2015, 05:35 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I had a new aluminum fan that would not stay tight. It turns out that the taper on the water pump shaft was incorrect. I ended up buying another two blade fan and a new leakless water pump. I have not had the problem since.

Brian T · 10-27-2015, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiny

How old is it? I have read the taper was wrong on some of the early aluminum two blade fans.

In addition it is recommended to install a thin steel washer under the retainer nut, I also removed the powder coating from where the nut fits, I don't believe the fans sold from the vendors have had any problems in the last few years.

Mitch//pa · 10-27-2015, 06:06 PM

when you wobble the fan blade is it moving independent of the pump shaft at the nut or as a unit...

this can help you determine if its a pump or not..

Tom Wesenberg · 10-27-2015, 10:37 PM

I would bet it's the alternator that isn't lined up correctly. I've seen a lot of them quite a bit off.

H. L. Chauvin · 10-28-2015, 12:21 AM

Pulley Alignment:

A yard stick or a similar straight edge positioned on diameters or radians of two (2) adjacent pulleys can be used to check pulley alignment between two (2) adjacent pulleys.

The straight edge should contact the two (2) outer circumferences of the two (2) adjacent pulleys at all four (4) outer circumference locations when the two (2) pulleys are properly aligned.

10-27-2015, 04:45 PM	#1
John Borland Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Spring Creek, Nevada Posts: 13	Fan Rattle? I have an intermediate (occurs off an on every 15 seconds or so) rattling noise that I think may be from my fan belt not being exactly aligned with the engine fan pulley (it is about a 1/2" further away from the radiator at the fan pulley compared to the alternator pulley). A couple months ago, I had a more consistent noise from the fan blade not being tight enough. I took the fan off inspected it, and then re-installed it more tightly. The fan seems to be still tight, though I can slightly jingle the outer ends of the fan by hand. Any help in further diagnosing (before I order in a new fan) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, John

10-27-2015, 04:56 PM	#2
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Fan Rattle? what kind of fan? original 2 blade steel? maybe its coming apart if it is get the 2 blade aluminun those old blades are a time bomb and can decapitate ya

10-27-2015, 05:07 PM	#3
John Borland Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Spring Creek, Nevada Posts: 13	Re: Fan Rattle? It's an aluminum 2 blade fan. I checked the fan for cracks when I had it off and found none. I'm thinking that maybe I tighten it too much. Guess I will take the fan belt off and see if the noise goes away. Problem being is that the noise is not consistent.

10-27-2015, 05:13 PM	#4
modelaer Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Essex, VT Posts: 40	Re: Fan Rattle? Is there any end play on the water pump shaft? Pete

10-27-2015, 05:35 PM	#6
29spcoupe Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Rhinebeck, NY Posts: 762	Re: Fan Rattle? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I had a new aluminum fan that would not stay tight. It turns out that the taper on the water pump shaft was incorrect. I ended up buying another two blade fan and a new leakless water pump. I have not had the problem since.

10-27-2015, 06:06 PM	#8
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Fan Rattle? when you wobble the fan blade is it moving independent of the pump shaft at the nut or as a unit... this can help you determine if its a pump or not..

10-27-2015, 10:37 PM	#9
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Fan Rattle? I would bet it's the alternator that isn't lined up correctly. I've seen a lot of them quite a bit off.

10-28-2015, 12:21 AM	#10
H. L. Chauvin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,179	Re: Fan Rattle? Pulley Alignment: A yard stick or a similar straight edge positioned on diameters or radians of two (2) adjacent pulleys can be used to check pulley alignment between two (2) adjacent pulleys. The straight edge should contact the two (2) outer circumferences of the two (2) adjacent pulleys at all four (4) outer circumference locations when the two (2) pulleys are properly aligned.