51 flathead cooling fan question

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Apr 23, 2007 | 08:56 PM

restoringmy46

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From: Ashland, KY

51 flathead cooling fan question

Hey guys need some help. The cooling fan on my truck cools it just fine but I need to know if the fan and pulley is one piece on the shaft. Right behind the fan belt pulley where the bearing is it looks like the front of the bearing has come off and just spinning on the shaft. It makes a awful noise when you come to a stop sign or a red light. I need to get another one, but I can't see how it comes apart. Is the fan pulley pressed on the shaft. I have lloked at some on ebay and they are selling as a whole piece. And I have found that a 1949-51 wide pulley cooling fan will work. 1948 and back wide pulley fans a guy told me that the pulley off set is different than mine. So I quees I need to know is a 49-52 wide pulley the only thing that would work and is the cooling fan and pulley one piece or does it come apart and I'm just missing it. Thanks for any help. By the way I have put 600 miles on my truck and this is the first problem that I have had with the motor or motor parts so far. I think that is pretty good since it set from 2002 until Jan of 07. Thanks for the help. Scott

1951 Ford F1

Apr 23, 2007 | 10:45 PM

ALBUQ F-1

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Joined: Jul 2004

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From: NM

I have the same kind of fan, it's the "late model" fan and as far as I know, only used on car engines with narrow belts. They are sold as a unit. I have heard of some people successfully opening them up and replacing the bearings, but it looks like it would be darn hard to get it together again.

The trucks all used a rebuildable hub with 4-blade fans and wide belts. Yes, the pulley will be made to align differently. If you are running narrow belts, look at how the belts are offset on the water pump and the crank pulley. The wide pulleys more or less split the difference.

I need a new one too, let me know where you find one at a good price! I'll be looking too!

PS -- if it looks like it's coming apart, don't run it!!! Bad things can result!!

Apr 24, 2007 | 03:55 AM

NumberDummy

Ford Parts Specialist

Joined: Nov 2006

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From: Simi Valley, CA

I ordered all the 1949-1979 passenger car books today...Just thought y'all would like to know.

Apr 24, 2007 | 08:17 PM

restoringmy46

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Joined: Nov 2004

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From: Ashland, KY

I can grab the fan and pulley and move it back and forth about a 1/16 of a inch. I looked at some on ebay but I need to order some up to date books. Some of my books are 2 to 3 years old. My pulley is a wide belt pulley. My dad said he might have some extra one's in the barn at my grandfather's. If he has a extra one I will let you know ALBUO F1. I can ship it to you but I'll make sure it's good first. NumberDummy can you look in your books and see if they even sell it as one piece, and let my know how much they cost. Thanks Guys Scott

Apr 24, 2007 | 08:29 PM

ALBUQ F-1

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Joined: Jul 2004

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From: NM

If it's a wide belt, it should be a large diameter hub with a set of bronze bushings in it, that can be repaired. If it is truly a sealed bearing type, and you are running a single wide belt, then any wide belt cooling fan from '48 - on should fit. I misunderstood your previous post; I thought since you said it was sealed, that you had narrow belts. I've never seen a wide belt with sealed bearings.

Here is what '48-'51 truck fans look like:

Attached Images