96 fan removal?
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Senior User
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96 fan removal?
I read the post about the fan blades that are plastic and cracking so I checked mine out and sure enough it is cracked so I`m going to replace it,question is do I need to remove the clutch fan to get to the blades?if so what size is the nut and is it a right or left threated nut?(1996 4.0 engine)what do I have to remove to get the fan out?thanks for your help this site is great.
Lead Driver
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From: SoCal
The 4 liter engine with the serpentine belt uses a reverse-rotation water pump, so its nut will be right hand (normal) thread. I had to get a 1-7/16" (or about 36/37mm) open-end wrench to fit it. Some people have been able to get very thin adjustable wrenches to go over it, but I was not able to get those to fit between the water pump and fan clutch.
About those cracking fans, did Ford ever fix them? It seems that just about all such fans I see in the salvage yard are cracked as well, so I can't find a replacement there. I would like to find a better solution than what Ford offers. Will the fans from Ranger, Bronco, or Explorer using the same engine fit? I guess the ultimate solution would be to install an electric fan.
About those cracking fans, did Ford ever fix them? It seems that just about all such fans I see in the salvage yard are cracked as well, so I can't find a replacement there. I would like to find a better solution than what Ford offers. Will the fans from Ranger, Bronco, or Explorer using the same engine fit? I guess the ultimate solution would be to install an electric fan.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Southern California
Originally Posted by xlt4wd90
The 4 liter engine with the serpentine belt uses a reverse-rotation water pump, so its nut will be right hand (normal) thread. I had to get a 1-7/16" (or about 36/37mm) open-end wrench to fit it. Some people have been able to get very thin adjustable wrenches to go over it, but I was not able to get those to fit between the water pump and fan clutch.
About those cracking fans, did Ford ever fix them? It seems that just about all such fans I see in the salvage yard are cracked as well, so I can't find a replacement there. I would like to find a better solution than what Ford offers. Will the fans from Ranger, Bronco, or Explorer using the same engine fit? I guess the ultimate solution would be to install an electric fan.
About those cracking fans, did Ford ever fix them? It seems that just about all such fans I see in the salvage yard are cracked as well, so I can't find a replacement there. I would like to find a better solution than what Ford offers. Will the fans from Ranger, Bronco, or Explorer using the same engine fit? I guess the ultimate solution would be to install an electric fan.
Fleet Mechanic
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From: Kansas
Originally Posted by xlt4wd90
I would like to find a better solution than what Ford offers. Will the fans from Ranger, Bronco, or Explorer using the same engine fit? I guess the ultimate solution would be to install an electric fan.
Money wise, the best fix is the aftermarket el cheapos. I know they are made in China, but they seem to last just as long.
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From: North Jersey, New Jersey
My 96 Aeros fan is original and no cracks. However its just a city driver with the occasional long trip so I guess use and environmental conditions would be a better determinaing factor.
Can you remove the fan without removing the clutch on my 3.0 it looks possible remove the shroud and with a small socket or box end wrench loosen the bolts push the shroud back and maybe there may be enough clearance to remove the fan. If that won't work the radiator would need to be removed to get a bit more clearance.
If it does work the labor would be overkill for just the fan blades.
Its alot easier to remove the fan clutch. I used a chain wrench to hold the pulley and a large adjustable wrench on the bolt. There are also special fan clutch wrenches that hold onto the pulley bolts.
My 3.0 engine rotates counterclockwise so its a left handed thread. It was clearly printed on the fan shroud in raised letters. Left Hand Thread On Fan Clutch
I've heard that other Aeros possibly 4.0s make access for the adjustable wrench and chain wrench difficult. Here is a picture straight down from the top as you can see I have a clear shot down for a chain wrench and an adjustable wrench.
Can you remove the fan without removing the clutch on my 3.0 it looks possible remove the shroud and with a small socket or box end wrench loosen the bolts push the shroud back and maybe there may be enough clearance to remove the fan. If that won't work the radiator would need to be removed to get a bit more clearance.
If it does work the labor would be overkill for just the fan blades.
Its alot easier to remove the fan clutch. I used a chain wrench to hold the pulley and a large adjustable wrench on the bolt. There are also special fan clutch wrenches that hold onto the pulley bolts.
My 3.0 engine rotates counterclockwise so its a left handed thread. It was clearly printed on the fan shroud in raised letters. Left Hand Thread On Fan Clutch
I've heard that other Aeros possibly 4.0s make access for the adjustable wrench and chain wrench difficult. Here is a picture straight down from the top as you can see I have a clear shot down for a chain wrench and an adjustable wrench.
Last edited by krankshaft; Jul 13, 2007 at 08:09 PM.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Kansas
Originally Posted by krankshaft
My 96 Aeros fan is original and no cracks.
Coincedence?
Maybe the 3.0 factory produced good fans and the 4.0 factory produced crack-prone fans, who knows?
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From: south of France
Mine is a 3.0 L and the fan is O.K (1989 ), the 3.0L is Vulcan serie engine, made in USA, I've seen that the 4.0L is a Cologne engine, made in Germany, and the tranny A4LD is build in Bordeaux, France (don't laugh: it's totally impossible to find parts in France, only import!) and for the history two rear brakes cylinders from USA and ...made in Italy! perhaps fan for the 4.0L are made in East Europa, who know? I think also the problem of carbon deposits in the 4.0L come from the difference in gasoline formulation in Europe (if the 4.0L is build in Germany) here we find currently only 95 octanes Regular and 98 octanes premium, 102 is sold only for races. I think octanes ratios are lower in USA.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Northern PA
Originally Posted by xlt4wd90
About those cracking fans, did Ford ever fix them? It seems that just about all such fans I see in the salvage yard are cracked as well, so I can't find a replacement there. I would like to find a better solution than what Ford offers. Will the fans from Ranger, Bronco, or Explorer using the same engine fit? I guess the ultimate solution would be to install an electric fan.
http://www.flex-a-lite.com/auto/html...ize-truck.html
Last edited by AeroPA; Jul 14, 2007 at 04:53 PM.
Lead Driver
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From: SoCal
I like the idea of a lighter weight hanging off the snout of the water pump. It might make let the pump last longer.
So would you still use a clutch with one of these, or use just the fan with the proper snout spacer? Looks like we'll also need their snout adapter, PN 851 or 852.
So would you still use a clutch with one of these, or use just the fan with the proper snout spacer? Looks like we'll also need their snout adapter, PN 851 or 852.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Washington state
anyone ever seen a Aero fan loose a blade and damage radiator or hoses?
I've seen 4Ls with modified EEC-V PCMs that turn 6k+ rpm and use the stock plastic fan. the stock 4L is PCM limited to 4,500 rpm
I've seen 4Ls with modified EEC-V PCMs that turn 6k+ rpm and use the stock plastic fan. the stock 4L is PCM limited to 4,500 rpm
Elder User
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From: Northern PA
Originally Posted by xlt4wd90
I like the idea of a lighter weight hanging off the snout of the water pump. It might make let the pump last longer.
So would you still use a clutch with one of these, or use just the fan with the proper snout spacer? Looks like we'll also need their snout adapter, PN 851 or 852.
So would you still use a clutch with one of these, or use just the fan with the proper snout spacer? Looks like we'll also need their snout adapter, PN 851 or 852.
I've used both plastic and aluminum flex fans, but most recently I've gone with aluminum. I've been thinking about putting a flex fan on my Aero, but so far, the stock fan is OK.
Like 96_4wdr says, pay attention to the RPM rating on those fans, too.
Last edited by AeroPA; Jul 15, 2007 at 05:39 PM.
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From: North Jersey, New Jersey
Originally Posted by AeroPA
Like 96_4wdr says, pay attention to the RPM rating on those fans, too.
However if an aluminum flex fan failed due to excess RPM I have visions of a flying sharp projectile slicing through things.
Lead Driver
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From: SoCal
Originally Posted by 96_4wdr
anyone ever seen a Aero fan loose a blade and damage radiator or hoses?
Originally Posted by 96_4wdr
I've seen 4Ls with modified EEC-V PCMs that turn 6k+ rpm and use the stock plastic fan. the stock 4L is PCM limited to 4,500 rpm