Damaged fan blade - repair or replace - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Yukon Jack** · 01-20-2004, 01:12 PM

The cooling fan on the engine I am going to use in my 69 was damaged slightly from a frontend impact. Appears one blade is bent slightly. No visible damage when you look at the blades but if you lay it flat you can tell one blade is bent.

Any thoughts on whether it is a bad idea to try to bend the blade or is it smarter to just replace it. It is a 5 blade fan off a 1989 454.

**too much stuff** · 01-20-2004, 01:26 PM

I wouldn't take a chance on it. After all the time and $ spent, Why take a chance on something that may wipe out bearings or worse.

71swb4x4 · 01-20-2004, 03:14 PM

I say replace too. Cheap insurance. If its out of balance it could mess stuff up, and if it has a crack that you can't see and a blade comes off will end up costing way more than just a new fan.

Shawn

*67Fleetsidedream* · 01-20-2004, 04:14 PM

Yep replace it. The bearing are going to go out in nothing flat. You should see what kind of damage a fan blade can do to a radiator. Not pretty.

*dtlilly* · 01-20-2004, 04:43 PM

Replace it.

meathead95 · 01-20-2004, 05:28 PM

I say replace too. Cheap insurance. If its out of balance it could mess stuff up, and if it has a crack that you can't see and a blade comes off will end up costing way more than just a new fan.

I AGREE TOTALLY! REPLACE IT.

Jace's68 · 01-20-2004, 05:37 PM

Replace it. Just imagine the damage that could happen if it came off going down the road.

**Yukon Jack** · 01-20-2004, 05:44 PM

Thanks, advice will be taken. I didn't figure it was wise to use but wanted to get the general thoughts of you all.

chevypete396 · 01-20-2004, 05:50 PM

Jack, I totally have to disagree with the rest of these guys, you have a chance to do something great here…

Remove the blade all together. That will still leave 4 blades more than enough to get the job done. Who cares about the vibration? Tell people it’s a blower. When some one looks under the hood tell them, “when I get around to fix’n that welder I’ll tack her back on.” But you got to keep a straight face, then buy some Coors Light with the money you save and sit on the porch and look at your neighbor’s funny with one boot on and one halfway off… Ever one will say, "Looky there kids, That's Crazy Yukon Jack"

... Chevy Pete.

SWEET7T · 01-20-2004, 06:01 PM

I don't know about that ChevyPete, he's

Spoof · 01-20-2004, 09:13 PM

Workers compensation in BC sent out an advisory lately regarding a mechanic who died when a weakened fan blade seperated, bounced of the underside of the hood and penetrated into his shoulder/neck area.
I'd always heard such a thing could happen but thought "what are the odds"
Good policy is don't hang over the engine if any reving is going on, do it from the front seat not the linkage.

cableguy0 · 01-20-2004, 09:43 PM

there are times when you have to rev the motor while standing over it for example when you set the total timing

Andy4639 · 01-20-2004, 11:01 PM

REPLACE THE FAN. I have been there done that. You don't want to mess with it, it will cost you big time in the long run.
MY STORY:
I was coming home one weekend when I herd a noise coming from the motor, it turned out the bearing had gone out on the water pump and the fan had hit the frame several times. It just got the tips of the blades.
I replaced the water pump and straightened out the tips and went on my way. Two months later I have to replace the water pump again. I figured I just got a bad one. To make a long story short, I replaced the water pump three times in less than a year, and one A/C clutch.
The last w/p I was replacing my dad happen to be at the house and I was telling him about all of this also, and as soon as he herd me say that I bent the blades back he said that's your problem it's out of balance. By the way my dad is retired from Chevorlet with 35 years and was the instructer at the training facility in Charlotte N.C. for about 6 years. He knows his stuff . Well I ordered a new fan and guess what, no more trouble, had the same pump now for over 5 years.

**oldiron** · 01-20-2004, 11:39 PM

If you want I can introduce to you a guy that got hit in the face with a fan blade that broke of and he can tell you how it happened. Oh yea, I forgot he can't talk anymore.

Hooter · 01-21-2004, 12:43 AM

replace it, I had a fan blade go through the hood of my truck once, that wasn't cool

01-20-2004, 01:12 PM	#1
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,684	Damaged fan blade - repair or replace The cooling fan on the engine I am going to use in my 69 was damaged slightly from a frontend impact. Appears one blade is bent slightly. No visible damage when you look at the blades but if you lay it flat you can tell one blade is bent. Any thoughts on whether it is a bad idea to try to bend the blade or is it smarter to just replace it. It is a 5 blade fan off a 1989 454. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

01-20-2004, 01:26 PM	#2
too much stuff Roadtrip! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Grand Rapids MN Posts: 13,718	I wouldn't take a chance on it. After all the time and $ spent, Why take a chance on something that may wipe out bearings or worse. __________________ 67 gmc custom lwb dakota truck. Sold...And bought back 69 swb 4x4 project (in progress) 70 c-10 lwb texas truck 70 4x4/BB/bkts/posi/tach(retired) 70 swb (wifes) 70 jimmy camper 71 K-5 factory 2wd 71 cheyenne 4x4/tach/posi/ plow rig 71 Cheyenne20 BB, buckets, tach, tilt, 4 speed 72 jimmy CST wyoming rig 72 jimmy Colorado rig 72 lifted texas 4x4 3/4 ton burb 65 fury conv. 383/auto 65 chrysler 300 "L" 413 auto

01-20-2004, 03:14 PM	#3
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	I say replace too. Cheap insurance. If its out of balance it could mess stuff up, and if it has a crack that you can't see and a blade comes off will end up costing way more than just a new fan. Shawn __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

01-20-2004, 05:28 PM	#6
meathead95 computer illiterate Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 6,446	I say replace too. Cheap insurance. If its out of balance it could mess stuff up, and if it has a crack that you can't see and a blade comes off will end up costing way more than just a new fan. I AGREE TOTALLY! REPLACE IT. __________________ 72 2wd blazer 72 swb 4x4

01-20-2004, 05:44 PM	#8
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,684	Thanks, advice will be taken. I didn't figure it was wise to use but wanted to get the general thoughts of you all. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

01-20-2004, 04:14 PM	#4
67Fleetsidedream Wiseass secured himself a BAN Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: MOON!!! Posts: 2,282	Yep replace it. The bearing are going to go out in nothing flat. You should see what kind of damage a fan blade can do to a radiator. Not pretty.

01-20-2004, 04:43 PM	#5
dtlilly Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Shadow of Lambeau Field Posts: 5,597	Replace it.

01-20-2004, 05:37 PM	#7
Jace's68 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kentucky Posts: 107	Replace it. Just imagine the damage that could happen if it came off going down the road.

01-20-2004, 05:50 PM	#9
chevypete396 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fernley, Nevada, USA Posts: 540	Jack, I totally have to disagree with the rest of these guys, you have a chance to do something great here… Remove the blade all together. That will still leave 4 blades more than enough to get the job done. Who cares about the vibration? Tell people it’s a blower. When some one looks under the hood tell them, “when I get around to fix’n that welder I’ll tack her back on.” But you got to keep a straight face, then buy some Coors Light with the money you save and sit on the porch and look at your neighbor’s funny with one boot on and one halfway off… Ever one will say, "Looky there kids, That's Crazy Yukon Jack" ... Chevy Pete. __________________ 1968 Chevy - 3/4 Ton - 4X4 - Longbed - 383ci - TH350 - NP205 Building the motor, painting the engine bay, rewireing everything... (775)-527-1199 / ryanspeterson@msn.com

01-20-2004, 06:01 PM	#10
SWEET7T Try spinnin 4 rear tars Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 757	I don't know about that ChevyPete, he's __________________ SWEET7T 1970 C10, 2wd, LB, 307/TH350/3.08. PS, PB

01-20-2004, 09:13 PM	#11
Spoof Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Victoria,BC, Canada Posts: 1,300	Workers compensation in BC sent out an advisory lately regarding a mechanic who died when a weakened fan blade seperated, bounced of the underside of the hood and penetrated into his shoulder/neck area. I'd always heard such a thing could happen but thought "what are the odds" Good policy is don't hang over the engine if any reving is going on, do it from the front seat not the linkage. __________________ 71 GMC 1500 LWB

01-20-2004, 09:43 PM	#12
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,950	there are times when you have to rev the motor while standing over it for example when you set the total timing __________________ 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.

01-20-2004, 11:01 PM	#13
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	REPLACE IT! REPLACE THE FAN. I have been there done that. You don't want to mess with it, it will cost you big time in the long run. MY STORY: I was coming home one weekend when I herd a noise coming from the motor, it turned out the bearing had gone out on the water pump and the fan had hit the frame several times. It just got the tips of the blades. I replaced the water pump and straightened out the tips and went on my way. Two months later I have to replace the water pump again. I figured I just got a bad one. To make a long story short, I replaced the water pump three times in less than a year, and one A/C clutch. The last w/p I was replacing my dad happen to be at the house and I was telling him about all of this also, and as soon as he herd me say that I bent the blades back he said that's your problem it's out of balance. By the way my dad is retired from Chevorlet with 35 years and was the instructer at the training facility in Charlotte N.C. for about 6 years. He knows his stuff . Well I ordered a new fan and guess what, no more trouble, had the same pump now for over 5 years. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

01-20-2004, 11:39 PM	#14
oldiron Designated Grumpy Old Man Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: arlington, washington usa Posts: 3,092	If you want I can introduce to you a guy that got hit in the face with a fan blade that broke of and he can tell you how it happened. Oh yea, I forgot he can't talk anymore. __________________ Never let the truth get in the way of a good story 71 Chev 1/2 ton 4X4 LWB Fleetside SOLD http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=361222 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LgREwtDfaA 68 Chev 1 ton flat bed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bO8szzlD4A 56 Chev Handyman Wagon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y-6ddpBTkM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbLzZ7zY8wA 56 Chev Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=410667 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoW0Ei7ZNIg

01-21-2004, 12:43 AM	#15
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,085	replace it, I had a fan blade go through the hood of my truck once, that wasn't cool __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life



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