broke fan blade... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

caspear78 · 01-09-2004, 01:01 AM

ok this mornin i started out to work and about half way there i heard a loud pop and then the truck started shakein real bad every time i got on the gas, i couldnt figureit out for like a few mins after i got to work, but when i turn it off after lookin underneath, i saw that i piee missin off of my blade, my blade was stuck between the frame and radiator support,, what i want to know is how can a fan blade brake if it was never been hit or bent? when i looked at it closer i aw that it didnt have much metel left to hagn on to, it had a spot that was rusted a good part of the blade, does any one have any ideas on what type of blade i should use when i put it back together?

**old Rusty C10** · 01-09-2004, 01:06 AM

rust can definately make metal weaker and cause a fan to snap. Id replace it with a flex flan or OEM fan the OEM is better cause its less likely to snap again . Consider yourself lucky that ya didnt punch a hole thorugh the radiator.

caspear78 · 01-09-2004, 01:10 AM

or my power steering lines which werent but an inch away if that, ill have to go out and take a pic of it all and show what a mess it is under my hood , and where the blade was

Rod · 01-09-2004, 01:31 AM

Had a friend have his blade break off and it landed across the battery posts ...arching away and welded itself .

Longhorn Man · 01-09-2004, 01:33 AM

I would stay away from flex fans...stock or aftermarket.
The aftermarket ones are known for flying apart, and the stock ones were re-called years ago. (for the same reason)

TonyM · 01-09-2004, 01:40 AM

My two cents.... I had this happen to me too. Mine came off and went straight through my battery ground strap... THEN THROUGH THE TOP OF THE FREAKIN HOOD!!!!! THat was not so nice. ANyhow, from all the people I talked to, they said stay away from aftermarked, go with OEM.
Tony

Hooter · 01-09-2004, 01:47 AM

Had a flex fan go right through the hood of my 69 once, that scared the crap out of me!!

**Stocker** · 01-09-2004, 01:54 AM

I tried a flex fan once and the truck overheated. Go with a clutch fan. New ones aren't too spendy, but it's even cheaper to get one from a salvage yard. Measure everything and try to get one from a full size GM product.

*1972C10* · 01-09-2004, 02:01 AM

Ive had the exact opisite Seen many clutch fans wear out and come crashin into the radiatior.. I ran a flex fan for years all the way up to 6500rpm never had a problem i guess some folks have probs with them some dont. kinda like anything ask 10 people 5 will say there good 5 will say they suck.

VTKidder · 01-09-2004, 10:05 AM

Any metal part can break due to fatigue as well; fatigue is when something suddenly breaks, usually at a much lower stress level than it would normally break at, as a result of MANY cycles of a little bit of stress. On a fan blade, that could be vibration from the engine, movement caused by blowing air, etc. Even though the stress and movement on the blade is very very small, after millions or billions of cycles, the part will weaken and suddenly fail.

cableguy0 · 01-09-2004, 10:18 AM

get another stock fan stay the hell away from those aftermarket flex fans seen a lot of nice looking hoods destroyed by a fan blade that came flying out at 5000rpm

caspear78 · 01-09-2004, 07:14 PM

ive got about 10 stock fans lined up as of now,lol if one dont work ill get another,lol, thanks for the advice on the flex fans every one

Cat Fuzz · 01-10-2004, 12:00 AM

I heard of a guy that had his head nearly cut off by a fan that broke away from the engine. Cut 2/3's the way thru his neck. He actually survived for a couple days in the hospital.

caspear78 · 01-10-2004, 11:07 PM

OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, im glad hes still alive tho, but that had to hurt bad, im glad that i just hit my frame and rad support

Cat Fuzz · 01-10-2004, 11:39 PM

No, he died. My point was that he didn't die right away.

CPNEJR · 01-10-2004, 11:57 PM

Ya stay away from them flex fans was goin' to put one on my truck but then my brother said he saw what happened to someones hood because of a blade flying off!!!

I decided to go with the original one in good shape

caspear78 · 01-11-2004, 06:57 PM

i got me an 8 blade fan to play with now so i hope it works better

Stingray42 · 01-11-2004, 11:58 PM

y dont they ever go DOWN!!!

caspear78 · 01-12-2004, 03:13 PM

i got lucky and it did go down,and i was wrong on my last post, i have a seven not an eight blade fan

paintpyro · 01-12-2004, 07:48 PM

Ive got a flexfan now, but will change it out before I get my hood done

Suicide-D · 01-12-2004, 07:58 PM

count a nice dented hood for me also....

01-09-2004, 01:01 AM	#1
caspear78 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: biwabik, minnesota, what is this white stuff out here Posts: 334	broke fan blade... ok this mornin i started out to work and about half way there i heard a loud pop and then the truck started shakein real bad every time i got on the gas, i couldnt figureit out for like a few mins after i got to work, but when i turn it off after lookin underneath, i saw that i piee missin off of my blade, my blade was stuck between the frame and radiator support,, what i want to know is how can a fan blade brake if it was never been hit or bent? when i looked at it closer i aw that it didnt have much metel left to hagn on to, it had a spot that was rusted a good part of the blade, does any one have any ideas on what type of blade i should use when i put it back together?

01-09-2004, 01:06 AM	#2
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,283	rust can definately make metal weaker and cause a fan to snap. Id replace it with a flex flan or OEM fan the OEM is better cause its less likely to snap again . Consider yourself lucky that ya didnt punch a hole thorugh the radiator. __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

01-09-2004, 01:31 AM	#4
Rod Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Eastern - Manitoba Canada, Winnipeg Posts: 4,369	Had a friend have his blade break off and it landed across the battery posts ...arching away and welded itself . __________________ Senior active founding member. 70 3/4 ton GMC Suburban 4x4 250/4 spd. 71 1/2 ton Suburban Chevy 4x4, 350/350 72 Chev 1 ton tow truck 402BB w/Holmes 440 wrecker on propane 2005 FLSTSCI Harley Springer 85 FXSB Harley Lowrider 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville 5spd "Poor people don't have hobbies" Quote from wife.

01-09-2004, 01:40 AM	#6
TonyM Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 203	My two cents.... I had this happen to me too. Mine came off and went straight through my battery ground strap... THEN THROUGH THE TOP OF THE FREAKIN HOOD!!!!! THat was not so nice. ANyhow, from all the people I talked to, they said stay away from aftermarked, go with OEM. Tony __________________ 68GMC in family since new Victoria, B.C. Canada

01-09-2004, 01:47 AM	#7
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,085	Had a flex fan go right through the hood of my 69 once, that scared the crap out of me!! __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

01-09-2004, 01:10 AM	#3
caspear78 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: biwabik, minnesota, what is this white stuff out here Posts: 334	or my power steering lines which werent but an inch away if that, ill have to go out and take a pic of it all and show what a mess it is under my hood , and where the blade was

01-09-2004, 01:33 AM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	I would stay away from flex fans...stock or aftermarket. The aftermarket ones are known for flying apart, and the stock ones were re-called years ago. (for the same reason)

01-09-2004, 01:54 AM	#8
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,594	I tried a flex fan once and the truck overheated. Go with a clutch fan. New ones aren't too spendy, but it's even cheaper to get one from a salvage yard. Measure everything and try to get one from a full size GM product. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

01-09-2004, 02:01 AM	#9
1972C10 Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 2,686	Ive had the exact opisite Seen many clutch fans wear out and come crashin into the radiatior.. I ran a flex fan for years all the way up to 6500rpm never had a problem i guess some folks have probs with them some dont. kinda like anything ask 10 people 5 will say there good 5 will say they suck.

01-09-2004, 10:05 AM	#10
VTKidder Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 996	Any metal part can break due to fatigue as well; fatigue is when something suddenly breaks, usually at a much lower stress level than it would normally break at, as a result of MANY cycles of a little bit of stress. On a fan blade, that could be vibration from the engine, movement caused by blowing air, etc. Even though the stress and movement on the blade is very very small, after millions or billions of cycles, the part will weaken and suddenly fail.

01-09-2004, 10:18 AM	#11
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,950	get another stock fan stay the hell away from those aftermarket flex fans seen a lot of nice looking hoods destroyed by a fan blade that came flying out at 5000rpm __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

01-09-2004, 07:14 PM	#12
caspear78 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: biwabik, minnesota, what is this white stuff out here Posts: 334	ive got about 10 stock fans lined up as of now,lol if one dont work ill get another,lol, thanks for the advice on the flex fans every one

01-10-2004, 12:00 AM	#13
Cat Fuzz My son, my joy. Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 463	I heard of a guy that had his head nearly cut off by a fan that broke away from the engine. Cut 2/3's the way thru his neck. He actually survived for a couple days in the hospital.

01-10-2004, 11:07 PM	#14
caspear78 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: biwabik, minnesota, what is this white stuff out here Posts: 334	OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, im glad hes still alive tho, but that had to hurt bad, im glad that i just hit my frame and rad support

01-10-2004, 11:39 PM	#15
Cat Fuzz My son, my joy. Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 463	No, he died. My point was that he didn't die right away.



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01-10-2004, 11:57 PM	#16
CPNEJR Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Franconia,N.H. Posts: 1,029	Ya stay away from them flex fans was goin' to put one on my truck but then my brother said he saw what happened to someones hood because of a blade flying off!!! I decided to go with the original one in good shape __________________ (Only) Member of the CPNE Fan Club Aint that the truth 67 C-10 350 with 3-speed tranny and 308 gears swb step 82 Z28 Camaro 355 small block over 350 hp and a borg warner super t-10 (blown engine) 72 Chevy K20 Suburban (future project) 70 Chevy K20 now 68 GMC K2500 2003 Chevy 2500hd ccsb 4X4 (daily driver)

01-11-2004, 06:57 PM	#17
caspear78 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: biwabik, minnesota, what is this white stuff out here Posts: 334	i got me an 8 blade fan to play with now so i hope it works better

01-11-2004, 11:58 PM	#18
Stingray42 Woot. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Stouffville, Ontario Posts: 2,291	y dont they ever go DOWN!!! __________________ Clarkson 96 Chevy RCLB 4.3 2WD

01-12-2004, 03:13 PM	#19
caspear78 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: biwabik, minnesota, what is this white stuff out here Posts: 334	i got lucky and it did go down,and i was wrong on my last post, i have a seven not an eight blade fan

01-12-2004, 07:48 PM	#20
paintpyro Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Santa Fe Springs, CA,USA Posts: 1,579	Ive got a flexfan now, but will change it out before I get my hood done __________________ 70 shortbed stepside "Schleprock" 350 w/TH400 rallys and BFGs -We can rebuild it, we have the technology-lower,shinier,faster

01-12-2004, 07:58 PM	#21
Suicide-D Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Katy, TX...but the love of my life resides in Dublin,OH. Posts: 1,408	count a nice dented hood for me also....

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