The Ford Barn

Tom Wesenberg · 07-25-2011, 10:26 PM

A customer bought 2 aluminum fans from Snyder's and had them mailed to me for balancing. I was really impressed at how much better these two fans looked over the ones I'd balanced a few years ago. The blades are much straighter, and parallel with each other, and the balance was so good that I won't do anything to them. The taper to the shaft is a perfect fit also. The finish was also smoother than the fans of a few years ago.

To check the balance I place the fan on the shaft and let the blade settle out to find the heavy side. I then remove the nut and place the steel strap in a vertical position behind the nut. I then slide the magnet out until the fan stops at random positions when I give it a light spin. This fan was in perfect balance when the 9.6 gram magnet was placed 3/4" from the center of the shaft. This translates to having a balance of 1 gram at 7" radius, which is very good.

In the past I'd drill holes on the lightest side of the hub (on the front side), then fill them with lead (melted wheel weights) until the fan had the right balance.

hardtimes · 07-25-2011, 10:57 PM

Tom,
I followed ALL of your past input relative to aluminum fans and the problems that you found. I also noticed that there were those that reported 'broken' aluminum fans(just like broken other type model a fans). Your prior findings is why I never bought an aluminum fan for my As.
Two out of two , in near perfect balance, is not bad!
Are you saying that , in your opinion, buying an aluminum fan (Snyders)would be a safe purchase now? Are all aluminum fans made/distributed from ONE source..if you know?

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 07-25-2011, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardtimes

Tom,
I followed ALL of your past input relative to aluminum fans and the problems that you found. I also noticed that there were those that reported 'broken' aluminum fans(just like broken other type model a fans). Your prior findings is why I never bought an aluminum fan for my As.
Two out of two , in near perfect balance, is not bad!
Are you saying that , in your opinion, buying an aluminum fan (Snyders)would be a safe purchase now? Are all aluminum fans made/distributed from ONE source..if you know?

I never heard of any aluminum two-bladed fans breaking or coming apart, ...it was just that they had some balance issues due to "drooping blades" that happened during the cooling process at the foundry. I have installed quite a few since Don Snyder corrected the problem. I also have one of Tom's balancers. And, yes the aluminum fans are coming from one manufacturer.

hardtimes · 07-26-2011, 02:27 AM

Not long ago, there was an extensive "fan' discussion. If I remember correctly, remarks/input there will reveal that broken aluminum fan(s) was reported. Tom's current remarks/work made me wonder if that persons aluminum fan was of the original try at making aluminum fans. Mabe that person(s)will note this thread and comment again.

Tom Wesenberg · 07-26-2011, 04:02 AM

I remember only one person that said he lost a blade, and that would have been some years ago. Judging by these two fans I'd say it would be a good fan to buy now. I hope these two fans are typical of all the fans now being made.

Mitch//pa · 07-26-2011, 06:29 AM

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the aluminum powder coated fan that the vendors are selling are all from the same place. i dont think its exclusive to a Snyder's fan. i bought 2 fans from different places and were indentical. they come with instructions to make sure the inside of the fan hub does not rub the water pump housing. one of my cars i had to grind a tiny bit of the w-pump and the other went right on.. oh yes and the balance was good on both

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 07-26-2011, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

the aluminum powder coated fan that the vendors are selling are all from the same place. i dont think its exclusive to a Snyder's fan. i bought 2 fans from different places and were indentical. they come with instructions to make sure the inside of the fan hub does not rub the water pump housing. one of my cars i had to grind a tiny bit of the w-pump and the other went right on.. oh yes and the balance was good on both

Then who do you think is manufacturing them??

.

Mitch//pa · 07-26-2011, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

Then who do you think is manufacturing them??

.

i have no idea

Tinker · 07-26-2011, 09:50 AM

I bought one for my 28' about 6 months ago. I read a lot before hand and made me worry about the balance and fit. The original was starting to look suspect and with a ton of people recommending them I bought it.

It fit well (I am also using a leakless water pump) and runs smooth. I'm very pleased with it.

hardtimes · 07-26-2011, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

I remember only one person that said he lost a blade, and that would have been some years ago. Judging by these two fans I'd say it would be a good fan to buy now. I hope these two fans are typical of all the fans now being made.

Tom, thanks for all your good work/reporting on such equipment

!
Reviewing Mitch's comments ..what do you thing about: 'instructions' on grinding (yikes!)

SGT in Ont. · 07-26-2011, 03:20 PM

One manufacturer as Brent said. Then distributed to different vendors.

raprice · 07-26-2011, 03:37 PM

I'm very pleased with my aluminum, two bladed fan from Snyders.
Rog

Logan · 07-26-2011, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

I never heard of any aluminum two-bladed fans breaking or coming apart, ...it was just that they had some balance issues due to "drooping blades" that happened during the cooling process at the foundry. I have installed quite a few since Don Snyder corrected the problem. I also have one of Tom's balancers. And, yes the aluminum fans are coming from one manufacturer.

Weve had an aluminum fan come apart before. The hub split in half

hardtimes · 07-26-2011, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logan

Weve had an aluminum fan come apart before. The hub split in half

Logan,
Amen brother! Curious about the split hub aluminum fan...was it one of the early models? Hopefully, not one of current crop!

Logan · 07-26-2011, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardtimes

Logan,
Amen brother! Curious about the split hub aluminum fan...was it one of the early models? Hopefully, not one of current crop!

It was a couple years ago. But weve also had failures from everytype of fan made. Both types of originals have failed and thrown the fan blades in the engine compartment, we had a 6 blade fan saw off the waterpump shaft and go threw the radiator, and the 2 blade aluminum hub split.

Tom Wesenberg · 07-27-2011, 12:38 AM

Some earlyier aluminum fans had the taper not wuite right from what I've heard. They shoule be good now, and it's also a good idea to place a thin STEEL washer behind the nut.

Snyder's makes, or has the aluminum fans made for them and then distributes them to other dealers.

07-25-2011, 10:26 PM	#1
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Snyder's 2 Blade Aluminum Fan Looks Good! A customer bought 2 aluminum fans from Snyder's and had them mailed to me for balancing. I was really impressed at how much better these two fans looked over the ones I'd balanced a few years ago. The blades are much straighter, and parallel with each other, and the balance was so good that I won't do anything to them. The taper to the shaft is a perfect fit also. The finish was also smoother than the fans of a few years ago. To check the balance I place the fan on the shaft and let the blade settle out to find the heavy side. I then remove the nut and place the steel strap in a vertical position behind the nut. I then slide the magnet out until the fan stops at random positions when I give it a light spin. This fan was in perfect balance when the 9.6 gram magnet was placed 3/4" from the center of the shaft. This translates to having a balance of 1 gram at 7" radius, which is very good. In the past I'd drill holes on the lightest side of the hub (on the front side), then fill them with lead (melted wheel weights) until the fan had the right balance.

07-25-2011, 10:57 PM	#2
hardtimes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South California Posts: 6,188	Re: Snyder's 2 Blade Aluminum Fan Looks Good! Tom, I followed ALL of your past input relative to aluminum fans and the problems that you found. I also noticed that there were those that reported 'broken' aluminum fans(just like broken other type model a fans). Your prior findings is why I never bought an aluminum fan for my As. Two out of two , in near perfect balance, is not bad! Are you saying that , in your opinion, buying an aluminum fan (Snyders)would be a safe purchase now? Are all aluminum fans made/distributed from ONE source..if you know?

07-26-2011, 02:27 AM	#4
hardtimes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South California Posts: 6,188	Re: Snyder's 2 Blade Aluminum Fan Looks Good! Not long ago, there was an extensive "fan' discussion. If I remember correctly, remarks/input there will reveal that broken aluminum fan(s) was reported. Tom's current remarks/work made me wonder if that persons aluminum fan was of the original try at making aluminum fans. Mabe that person(s)will note this thread and comment again.

07-26-2011, 04:02 AM	#5
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Snyder's 2 Blade Aluminum Fan Looks Good! I remember only one person that said he lost a blade, and that would have been some years ago. Judging by these two fans I'd say it would be a good fan to buy now. I hope these two fans are typical of all the fans now being made.

07-26-2011, 06:29 AM	#6
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Snyder's 2 Blade Aluminum Fan Looks Good! Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) the aluminum powder coated fan that the vendors are selling are all from the same place. i dont think its exclusive to a Snyder's fan. i bought 2 fans from different places and were indentical. they come with instructions to make sure the inside of the fan hub does not rub the water pump housing. one of my cars i had to grind a tiny bit of the w-pump and the other went right on.. oh yes and the balance was good on both

07-26-2011, 09:50 AM	#9
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: Snyder's 2 Blade Aluminum Fan Looks Good! I bought one for my 28' about 6 months ago. I read a lot before hand and made me worry about the balance and fit. The original was starting to look suspect and with a ton of people recommending them I bought it. It fit well (I am also using a leakless water pump) and runs smooth. I'm very pleased with it.

07-26-2011, 03:20 PM	#11
SGT in Ont. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Milton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 101	Re: Snyder's 2 Blade Aluminum Fan Looks Good! One manufacturer as Brent said. Then distributed to different vendors.

07-26-2011, 03:37 PM	#12
raprice Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Elwood, NY Posts: 299	Re: Snyder's 2 Blade Aluminum Fan Looks Good! I'm very pleased with my aluminum, two bladed fan from Snyders. Rog

07-27-2011, 12:38 AM	#16
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Snyder's 2 Blade Aluminum Fan Looks Good! Some earlyier aluminum fans had the taper not wuite right from what I've heard. They shoule be good now, and it's also a good idea to place a thin STEEL washer behind the nut. Snyder's makes, or has the aluminum fans made for them and then distributes them to other dealers.