My fan started rubbing the radiator at bottom of its swing

[joltesvig]

The Model A rookie again. I know you're getting tired of me but I just experienced yet another issue with my new 31 Coupe and I need some direction from you.

I was really happy to have all my other issues basically fixed with your help in the past. Lots of downtime fixing and not as much joy-riding as I would like. But I am increaing my Model A knowledge by heaps!

Having fixed the vacuum tube connection at the manifold, another mission-disabling experience, I went out for a trip to the local drug store. From all the bending over to fix all the issues with my 31 Coupe since I got her last spring, I started experiencing lower back pain. I was going to pick up one of those work-belt things to keep my discs from popping out anymore than absolutely necessary.



Well, I did not make it to the drug store. I started to hear a distinct kind of popping or ticking sound occasionally on the way in to town. That got my attention so I pulled over. I shut off the engine. I opened the hood. On the curbside of the engine as I looked I couldn't help but notice that the fan pully was on there cock-eyed. Wow, this is serious I thought. The ticking sound was the sound of the fan ticking on the radiator on its bottom stroke. I paniced, put on my readers and looked closely at the damage. Whew, no tube damage but a lot of fins bent over, bright copper color in that spot.

I just took the photos below. What I need is some advice as to what happened and what I will need to do to fix this.

I know, I have not yet installed the aluminum fan I bought a couple of weeks ago. I have been waiting until my courage gets up to the point where I can pull the hood, tilt the radiator and work on the new fan. (Remember that my cheap, stamped-steel fan blew up several weeks ago?...This radiator has nine lives apparently, no damage at all when that happened but the broken piece did ding-up my hood on the driver's side a little.)

So know I'm dead-in-the-water until I fix this pulley failure or whatever. The good news is that I'll finally get the new aluminum fan where it belongs!

Cheers!

[TinCup]

Where are the pictures?

[Gerard]

I you are still using the old style ( steel radiator fan ) it could well be the fan is on the brink of total collapse and a blade is coming of check that. Second at the firewall were the rad rods are attached check here fore cracks or coming of also.

Good luck with your back

[Fred K-OR]

Is your bolt holding the radiator to the frame loose? It may have shifted the radiator back against the fan if it was loose. Easy way to check it try to push the radiator forward at the bottom. But the pulley thing-don't know. Did the nut come off the crankshaft that holds the pulley on to the crank? Is it a two piece pulley?

Sorry, thought it was the crank pulley you were having problems with>

I don't know from the pictures but it would seem to me (not being that good with Model A's either) that you had better get that new fan and pulley installed now.

[Franchise_24]

Can you post those pictures? They didn't seem to come through.

[Elcastor]

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I think the pictures did not come through because he had used up his quota of questions for this week! LOL! (Just kidding!)

[joltesvig]

Ok, finally got the 6 photos edited into in the original post above for your viewing enjoyment and comments. They should help you figure out what happened in this case. I'll check on some of the other things you all made note of. You can see that the pulley hub seems to have disintegrated. The pulley is just lopsided on the water pump shaft. The castellated nut and cotter pin are solidly in place. Wa'happun' to make the pulley come loose from its hub?

[joltesvig]

What I did to get her back home without anymore radiator damage was bend the two blades back away from the radiator. Man those blades are flimsey!

[Bill in Al]

You are one lucky fellow! Get some books and read 'em.

[Franchise_24]

That looks like its begging to fly off and either hurt you or destroy the radiator and mess the hood up.

[Fred K-OR]

Originally Posted by Franchise_24

That looks like its begging to fly off and either hurt you or destroy the radiator and mess the hood up.

Looks to me like you need that new fan and pulley NOW.

[MCHinson]

Yes, You need to install a new fan before you start that engine again.

[Franchise_24]

Originally Posted by Fred K-OR

Looks to me like you need that new fan and pulley NOW.

Agreed. I wouldn't be driving or running that engine until it's fixed.

[sonny30coupe]

Oh, its not that big of deal, just bend those back close to the radiator and go for it. LOL

[TinCup]

Wow, that looks like a nice 10 fin radiator I am glad that fan didn't go through it.

[1931 flamingo]

Looks like the inner hub on the pulley has broken or disintegrated. Park it and change fen assy. While you're at it ck the waterpump also. JMO
Paul in CT

[Peter J]

Your wp shaft is probably OK. It looks like the pulley base broke loose from the pulley. As much as it's been wobbleing, it shouldn't be any problem remove it.
I've pulled my radiator so many times it almost jumps in my lap on command. It's no big operation at all.

[85930tudor]

Yes the pully and hub assmly has failed. it is cocked out and causing this. You my friend are very lucky .My AA did the same thing. Rust is not our friend!.... Dave

[Milton]

"The good news is that I'll finally get the new aluminum fan where it belongs!"

You're sure right about that.

[Tom Wesenberg]

I would say the damage was caused by running an alternator with the belt too tight.