The Ford Barn - Fan Blade

The Ford Barn (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/index.php)

- Model A (1928-31) (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=3)

- - Fan Blade (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=346923)

We put a new fan blade on the car and the tip of the blade is just barely hitting the upper hose to the radiator. Is there a fix for this. Thanks....

Check the "quality" of the new blade. Compare it dimensionally to the previous blade.

Supposedly new is made to the same dimensions as the old - but overseas being overseas also implies overseas quality control. As in frequently inadequate. Venders are not to blame for this but if you find something egregious in your comparison, they may replace it for you gratus.

Check also that the radiator/pump discharge connector is "matched." Model As exist in two persona - 28-29/lower radiator and 30-31/higher radiator. The casting/connection above the water pump is different between the two personas and you can't mis-match well.

Your radiator is likely NOT an original Ford radiator. More likely someone's "idea" of what constitutes a Ford Model A radiator. Angles/positions of the connections may be different than the original Ford design as 1950s, 60's, 70's, later producers continued to make a "mostly acceptable" product. One thinks of JC Whitney who produced a "replacement" radiator. Even Sears/Allstate was in this game.

A solution may be found in replacing the upper straight cylindrical radiator hose with a "near straight" hose found at your auto parts dealer.

I myself have a Gordon-Smith Compressor which is obviously "made of parts" including a dual tank/foundation with welded landing pads for the radiator mount - the height of the radiator is "not quite right" even though the 30-31 Radiator is matched to a 30-31 Water Pump discharge neck. I had your interference here and solved it by purchasing and cutting down a later model "bent" hose from Autozone.

Suggestions. Let us know what you find.

Joe K

Is this a two-bladed fan or a four-bladed fan? I would be inclined to grind away some material on the tips, being careful to grind away an equal amount so to keep it in balance and perhaps check the balance on a shaft on knife blades.

Sagging frame rails and failed motor mounts can contribute to this issue.

Check the correct height for the front motor mount.

Thanks for ther suggestions. Going over Tuesday to work on the car. Hopefully we
can figure this out.

Do I need to remove radiator to replace my fan?

If a two-blade fan AND bolts not studs holding water pump to head. No, you don't have to remove the radiator, moving the radiator supports rod may also help.

Remove the support rods and tilt the radiator forward. I always put a piece of cardboard on the rediator to protect it.