Hey yall, I seem to remember hearing horror stories of either the fan hub or the fan blades (i can't remember which) coming apart and throwing the fan in the radiator. Is this a common problem or just a few unlucky people having problems??

 

friends came apart took out rad and shroud. i dont have a fsm, but in my owners manual part of the regularly scheduled pm is checking the fan hub assembly for play.

 

Yea.. I know that the bearings do go out, and they should be checked. I just couldn't remember if they were REALLY common for failing earlier than they should. maybe the people i heard this from just don't check out their stuff like they should thanks crazy clem

 

I've had BOTH happen to me, the clutch going bad and putting the fan in the radiator and the fans chunking blades in various directions.
The clutch was good one week and junk the next, some things just go bad quickly and in a big way.

I know of a fool or 2 who think that pinning the clutch solid on a stock fan is a wise idea, 1 day it'll come back to bite them.
I just hope they are not standing in it's path when it does.
These fans aren't designed to be turned 3,000+ rpms up long hills for extended periods of time, especially the aluminum bladed 1st gen Intercooled fans.

Never totally doubt a story you hear, investigating it is always a nice idea.

Mark.

 

Hey thanks Mark!! So is there a better alternative to the fan?? aftermarket or maybe one off a different year that is better?

 

The only good alternatives are using electrics, or running a 2nd gen fan, which is slightly heavier due to having steel blades.
If you use the 2nd gen fan you also should use the fan clutch, as well.

Mark.

 

Is there any difference in length between the 89-93 clutch hubs and the 94-97's?

I have a ramcharger swap, and the 97 mechanical fan just wont fit behind the radiator.

Electric fans ARE NOT getting it done.

Help?

 

Okay...
The clutches are the same depth from '89 to at least '02, BUT the fan SUPPORT, the part that the clutch screws onto, is different through the years.

You need the pulley and fan support from a '91-1/2 through 1993 INTERCOOLED 1st gen engine.
It is @ 1/2-3/4 inch SHORTER than any other version and also moves the offset to a more centered (in relation to the block) location.
You'll also need the pulley, because of the modified depth.

Also, the 1989-'91 NON-intercooled fan blade is thicker across the blade and will cause clearance problems, as well.

The fan BLADE is technically the same shape and size from '91-1/2 through 2002.

Mark.

 

where can a guy find a good electric fan? i want to go electric and price is no issue cus if im gunna do it i wanna do it right the first time thanks

 

Thanks Mark, any clue where to find these parts?

I noticed a buddy of mine had the earlier motor in his ford, and the fan was much shorter than the setup off my 97 ctd.

Now if i could find all those parts, maybe i can get it going.

I will be making my own shroud from aluminum. Its an aluminum radiator in this beast right now.




I bought "good" electric fans, but they just dont get it done. It doesnt overheat, but not enough to keep the a/c condenser happy.