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Hey guys,
I need some info and yall have never failed me yet!
I think the bearing in the fan is about to go out. I believe its making a whining noise. Either that or its the water pump. 54 y-block 239. Where can I find one?
Thanks again!!!!
You can't find the water pump anywhere. But they can be rebuilt by anyone that rebuilds water pumps. The bearings are pretty standard. I shipped mine off to a guy a couple hours away from me and he did it with no problem.
I would think the bearing on the fan would be about the same. I wonder if it is listed in the parts catalog. I will take a look.
The fan is similar to the 42-53 Ford flathead V8. I have heard of people replacing the bearings in their flathead fans, I just haven't had to do it myself (yet?).
My truck has a car engine with that bearing setup. It's not super hard to replace the bearing, but it isn't super easy either.
First thing I'd do is take off the belt for the fan and see if the noise goes away, which would likely mean it's the WP.
The only replacement bearing is a universal cartridge, NSK #885586, that I got thru Kaman Bearing. Any shop with a catalog should be able to get it. It comes with an extra-long shaft that you need to cut to size.
First the shaft needs to be pressed out of the bracket. Ford capped the inside end of the hub to retain a rubber seal washer. You need to un-cap it, either in a lathe, or by grinding. After removing the rubber seal washer, you'll see a retaining clip on the bore. Now you can press the hub off the bearing while holding the shaft. Not simple with the fan still attached... Assembly is the reverse. The bearing goes in until it seats on two pressed-in bumps on the hub.
I agree with Albqu. Take the belt off and do a little investigating. You should be able to hear any grinding noise by simply hand spinning the fan. If in fact that is the issue.
That said, if you don't know when the pump was last replaced, now might be the time. You are going to be down for a little while anyway. Might as well take care of it while you have the fan off, even if it isn't the source of the noise, right now.
