Adam H P15 D30 Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 So I took the 49 Dodge out for a drive. When accelerating onto the freeway, about 4000 rpm, I heard a loud bang, clank and metal parts bouncing off the road and the floor board Then a really bad vibration as I was pulling over. My first thought was the engine just let go. As I came to a stop I noticed the oil pressure was still at 40psi. Lifted the hood and found my new 3 bladed fan....... Only damage was a dent in the battery box and my headlight harness cut clean through. BOY WAS I LUCKY. I had to remove it and drive home without a fan but it never got over 170 on a 60deg day. I have an electric fan that is going on now because I really liked how quiet the engine is without that fan. Moral of this story is CHECK THAT 60 YEAR OLD FAN!!!! Could have cost me a radiator, hood or worse???????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobT-47P15 Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 Sounds like metal fatigue. Glad it was no worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldDad67 Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 Over the years I've seen a lot of fans let go, sometimes just missing someone standing outside the engine compartment. That one was the really close, ever since then I make sure when reving the engine with the hood up I position my head away from the fan. Those blades can make a nasty hole in a hood to boot. Don't want to see anyone hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathbound Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 Remove 1 more blade & you'd have a prop. Thanks for the heads up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrashingcows Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 Well glad you didn't suffer any major body damaged..car or personal. That is crazy that the metal blade can just shear off like that!! It definitely give mine a good going over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martybose Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 Been there, done that ...... When mine went it cut through a fender and the edge of the hood for an impressive amount of damage. I too am happily running an electric fan setup with no engine-driven fan now. Marty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grady hawkins Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 Marty Where did you find a 6 volt cooling fan?? Grady Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 MartyWhere did you find a 6 volt cooling fan?? Grady I believe Marty is running his dual fans on 12 volys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark D Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 I've got several high horsepower electric motors in service for a data center I run my staff performs harmonic balancing on those to extend bearing life and to predict failure. We've found in our commisioning exercises that poor quality fans or pullies usually cause wobble due to lack of balance, which can lead to catastrophy. There's only a couple vendors that I will buy from. While your replacing your fan blade you might do yourself a favor and check your water pump as well. It's possible that the bearing has been affected over time from a poorly balanced fan. By the way, saw this on ebay this weekend... http://www.ebay.com/itm/1940s-Dodge-plymouth-chrysler-Desoto-optional-6-blade-fan-Car-coupe-Truck-Sedan-/270906762248?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3f134d2408 Here's your chance to be different... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam H P15 D30 Posted February 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 I checked the bearings on the side of the road and they are still tight. The fan's crack was 3/4 rusty then a fresh break. Engine ran perfectly smooth until failure so I don't think it was a wobbler. There will be no mechanical fan going back on. Electric fan only.... So much quieter and safer..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldguy48 Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 A few years ago, the local fairgrounds held a demolition derby, and one of the vehicles participating in the melee had it's mechanical fan let loose. A young boy in the stands got hit in the neck with a piece of the schrapnel and died from his injuries. They are definitely dangerous especially after years of use have taken their toll with metal fatigue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 I checked the bearings on the side of the road and they are still tight. ..... I think you got lucky. All the bearings I found on the side of the road were in pretty sad shape when I checked them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenbomb Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Whoa! Deja Vu all over again! When I was a kid I was out on a toot one night and got lit up pretty good and while driving home the fan on my '53 Chev let go just like that. I was still aware enough that something bad happened, but out of it just enough to not care. There was no damage other than the fan itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam H P15 D30 Posted February 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 I think you got lucky. All the bearings I found on the side of the road were in pretty sad shape when I checked them. Second day in a row you made me laugh, Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.