The Ford Barn

LazarusLong · 05-16-2019, 09:14 AM

Ok,so the weather turned nice,my chemo isn't kicking my butt or destroying my memory quite as bad,so I start driving the non-power steering 51 Ford Vicky again. Then one day I notice the fan seems to have been kissing the radiator on the passenger side.

My first thought was,"no problem. I will just shim the radiator further away from the fan on that side when I get a chance." A couple of days later the chemo mind cleared of some fog,and I realized all that would do would be to delay how long it is before the fan sailed through the radiator,and I needed a new plan.

Am having no luck at all finding a fan shaft,bushing.bearings,or a rebuilt generator stand/fan stand. Every one of the old Ford parts suppliers I call tell me to find a old one and use that. The problem is I already have a old one on the engine,and that's why it is kissing the radiator. They sit somewhere for a couple of decades without spinning,and corrosion develops on the inside and the shaft and housing "marry" each other. Sure,you can un-stick them when you un-stick the engine and get them working,but the problem is they are now worn and/or grooved,and it is now just a matter of (a short) time before it goes bad,too.

Someone on the phone from Dennis Carpenters suggested using a shaft from a water pump rebuild kit to rebuild the fan/generator mount housing,but couldn't remember which years had the right size bearings and shafts.

Anyone have any suggestions on this other than converting the car to 12 volts and using a electric fan,or just putting a 302 in it? I really don't want to do either. I could probably live with a 6 volt radiator fan if I had to,but would rather keep the car as close to original as possible.

05-16-2019, 09:14 AM	#1
LazarusLong Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: NC Posts: 273	51 v-8 water pump shaft bushing problems Ok,so the weather turned nice,my chemo isn't kicking my butt or destroying my memory quite as bad,so I start driving the non-power steering 51 Ford Vicky again. Then one day I notice the fan seems to have been kissing the radiator on the passenger side. My first thought was,"no problem. I will just shim the radiator further away from the fan on that side when I get a chance." A couple of days later the chemo mind cleared of some fog,and I realized all that would do would be to delay how long it is before the fan sailed through the radiator,and I needed a new plan. Am having no luck at all finding a fan shaft,bushing.bearings,or a rebuilt generator stand/fan stand. Every one of the old Ford parts suppliers I call tell me to find a old one and use that. The problem is I already have a old one on the engine,and that's why it is kissing the radiator. They sit somewhere for a couple of decades without spinning,and corrosion develops on the inside and the shaft and housing "marry" each other. Sure,you can un-stick them when you un-stick the engine and get them working,but the problem is they are now worn and/or grooved,and it is now just a matter of (a short) time before it goes bad,too. Someone on the phone from Dennis Carpenters suggested using a shaft from a water pump rebuild kit to rebuild the fan/generator mount housing,but couldn't remember which years had the right size bearings and shafts. Anyone have any suggestions on this other than converting the car to 12 volts and using a electric fan,or just putting a 302 in it? I really don't want to do either. I could probably live with a 6 volt radiator fan if I had to,but would rather keep the car as close to original as possible.