The Ford Barn

Tom F OHIO · 02-28-2025, 10:31 AM

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....

Joe K · 02-28-2025, 11:01 AM

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

nkaminar · 02-28-2025, 11:12 AM

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.

Richard Knight · 02-28-2025, 11:16 AM

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

mass A man · 02-28-2025, 05:56 PM

Check the correct height for the front motor mount.

Tom F OHIO · 03-01-2025, 09:38 AM

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

fastroadster · 03-27-2025, 03:39 PM

Do I need to remove radiator to replace my fan?

Herb Concord Ca · 03-27-2025, 04:27 PM

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.

Y-Blockhead · 03-27-2025, 05:03 PM

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

02-28-2025, 10:31 AM	#1
Tom F OHIO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mansfield, Ohio Posts: 593	Fan Blade 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....

02-28-2025, 11:01 AM	#2
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,608	Re: Fan Blade 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 __________________ Shudda kept the horse.

02-28-2025, 11:12 AM	#3
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 5,851	Re: Fan Blade 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. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

02-28-2025, 11:16 AM	#4
Richard Knight Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 243	Re: Fan Blade Sagging frame rails and failed motor mounts can contribute to this issue.

02-28-2025, 05:56 PM	#5
mass A man Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Danvers, Ma. Posts: 794	Re: Fan Blade Check the correct height for the front motor mount.

03-01-2025, 09:38 AM	#6
Tom F OHIO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mansfield, Ohio Posts: 593	Re: Fan Blade Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks for ther suggestions. Going over Tuesday to work on the car. Hopefully we can figure this out.

03-27-2025, 03:39 PM	#7
fastroadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Jackson Ca. Posts: 176	Re: Fan Blade Do I need to remove radiator to replace my fan?

03-27-2025, 04:27 PM	#8
Herb Concord Ca Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Concord CA Posts: 755	Re: Fan Blade 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.

03-27-2025, 05:03 PM	#9
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 6,640	Re: Fan Blade Remove the support rods and tilt the radiator forward. I always put a piece of cardboard on the rediator to protect it.