8BA 3 blade cooling fan upgrade
 

I have a 46 Super deluxe with a 51 8BA engine. It has the original 3 blade fan (narrow pulley).

Im in Texas, I think I know the answer, ......is it worth the expense to go with a 4 blade or more?

Checking eBay, a decent one is at least 220.00 and up.

Re: 8BA 3 blade cooling fan upgrade
 

For add-on hardware modifications, your best investment is the fabrication of a fan shroud.

Re: 8BA 3 blade cooling fan upgrade
 

Ok, thank you

Re: 8BA 3 blade cooling fan upgrade
 

Wasn't the reason for going to the 3 blade fan and narrow belts, less noise from the engine compartment?

Re: 8BA 3 blade cooling fan upgrade
 

FYI. The 49/53 mercury used a 4 bladed fan. This fan will replace the ford 3 blade fan.

Re: 8BA 3 blade cooling fan upgrade
 

I'm running the 3-bladed fan in my F-1, with a shroud and a 4-row radiator. I've driven it in all kinds of traffic, from stop'n'go to sustained 60 mph highway with plenty of big hills, in temps as high as 105°. The temp gauge barely moves off center.

Is your fan on a sealed bearing, or the big old oil-lubricated type?

Re: 8BA 3 blade cooling fan upgrade
 

My fan is on the factory set up. No oil lubrication I can see.

Where did you get your shroud, or did you fabricate one?

Re: 8BA 3 blade cooling fan upgrade
 

Lots of the '48+ F series had shrouds- might be a start. Newc

Re: 8BA 3 blade cooling fan upgrade
 

There should be a round head machine screw on the side of the fan hub. There is a procedure for adding oil and draining the excess off. After doing a search here on fan shrouds, I decided to go without. Some feel that fan shrouds are great when one is stuck in traffic, but can block effective air flow at speed. Like oil and thermostat threads, your results may vary. :)

Re: 8BA 3 blade cooling fan upgrade
 

Is the factory six blade not any better than the three blade? Stu

Re: 8BA 3 blade cooling fan upgrade
 

My shroud is a factory one. I'd be surprised if a truck shroud would fit a car radiator.

Stu, I'm sure the 6-blade moves more air, but it surely sucks up a lot of HP.