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Advice Needed: Fan Blade Touching Radiator Cowling

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Eric, Aug 22, 2022.

  1. Aug 22, 2022
    Eric

    Eric Member

    CA
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    I installed a new water pump and swapped a radiator in to my 1962 from a 1963. Upon starting, there is a pinging sound from the impact (very slight) between the fan blades and the cowling. The blades do not drag all the way around, just in a place or two. It subsides when idling, then when accelerating or changing the demands on the engine, it moves the engine a bit to ping a bit more aggressively. My question: is it safe to file the ends of the fan blades (as equally as I can) a bit or will that put things out of balance? I do not know if balancing blades is as crucial as balancing tires. Or is it wiser to file the cowling? I worry about making the thing look like a hack job.

    My neighbor thinks I shoujld jack up the battery and drive a new Jeep under it. He doesn't get it! hahahaha
     
    Ol Fogie likes this.
  2. Aug 22, 2022
    danielbuck

    danielbuck Uncle Buck

    USA
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    Jan 22, 2013
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    how much is the motor moving? maybe motor mounts are shot? Maybe the shroud can be shifted over to one side a bit more if they are only hitting one side?

    I don't know how much the fan blades are really balanced, I would think it would probably be ok to grind a bit on them.
     
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  3. Aug 22, 2022
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    cordele, Ga.
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    Do you have room to put a fan spacer in and move the fan closer to the radiator?
     
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  4. Aug 22, 2022
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Checked your motor mounts?

    I recently faced this identical problem with a vintage vehicle, and I just bent back the tip of each fan blade slightly, and equally, with an adjustable wrench set to the thickness of the blades. It was easier than dismounting the fan, and way easier than grinding.
     
    Eric likes this.
  5. Aug 22, 2022
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    Drivers side motor mount needs replaced. Replace
    Both sides.
     
    Eric likes this.
  6. Aug 22, 2022
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    Ok people let's think about this the 50lb chunks of rubber turn about once for every 4 turns of the crank, if the tire is out of balance 1 gram out of 50lbs it is annoying how much out of balance can a fan be that is hanging sever inches in front of the water pump bearings before something let's go?

    I've had a stock fan explode on a truck going down the road and it wasn't pretty.
     
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  7. Aug 22, 2022
    Eric

    Eric Member

    CA
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    I'm feeling the same...
     
  8. Aug 22, 2022
    Eric

    Eric Member

    CA
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    I'll check next time I see it. Thanks.
     
  9. Aug 22, 2022
    Eric

    Eric Member

    CA
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    The power of the forum! Thanks.
     
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