Merc1973
Active member
- 308
- 38
- 28
- Location
- Sykesville, MD
Has anyone "upgraded" to a nylon fan? There are some on FleaBay for sale for $125. I wouldn't mind using it alone or along with the thermal fan clutch mod this summer.
-
Steel Soldiers now has a few new forums, read more about it at: New Munitions Forums!
Nylon Radiator Fan?
- Thread starter Merc1973
- Start date
ATPTac
Member
- 379
- 3
- 16
- Location
- Charlotte, North Carolina
I saw those and meant to ask if anyone had any experience with them. I don't see it making a huge difference, but couldn't hurt I suppose.
Jeepsinker
Well-known member
- 5,399
- 456
- 83
- Location
- Dry Creek, Louisiana
I've seen, and am curious about these as well.
welldigger
Active member
- 2,602
- 15
- 38
- Location
- Benton LA
What would the advantage of the nylon fan be versus a flex fan? I get that nylon is lighter than stock but I would think a flex fan would be the best overall approach to reduced weight and drag on the engine.
DieselBob
Active member
- 2,891
- 15
- 38
- Location
- Arnold Maryland
I'm no expert but in my years I have seen several metal fan failures but have not seen a nylon fan fail. Not saying they don't but I have not seen one yet. That would be a plus in the long run. Also you can't bend a blade and throw the balance off. 
ATPTac
Member
- 379
- 3
- 16
- Location
- Charlotte, North Carolina
Those are very valid points. I might pick one of these up and see how it does.I'm no expert but in my years I have seen several metal fan failures but have not seen a nylon fan fail. Not saying they don't but I have not seen one yet. That would be a plus in the long run. Also you can't bend a blade and throw the balance off.
JasonS
Well-known member
- 1,650
- 144
- 63
- Location
- Eastern SD
I'd be curious to know if they are any quieter.
welldigger
Active member
- 2,602
- 15
- 38
- Location
- Benton LA
I wonder if it adds any drag with almost double the number of blades.
Last edited:
Merc1973
Active member
- 308
- 38
- 28
- Location
- Sykesville, MD
Thanks for the input. I will pick one up next month and give my review.
ATPTac
Member
- 379
- 3
- 16
- Location
- Charlotte, North Carolina
Doubtful, most of the noise you get out of fans is the air its moving. So assuming it moves the same amount of air, I would guess it would be the same noise level. I guess if you get down to the science behind it, the blade angle and other various factors play into it as well. That's not really my department, so who knows... they might be.
From what I can tell from the pictures, the blades look smaller than stock fans. So it might be the same or equivalent.
- 4,210
- 37
- 0
- Location
- Las Cruces, NM
Just bought one, I'll let you guys know how it works.
Ed
Ed
rustystud
Well-known member
- 9,284
- 2,994
- 113
- Location
- Woodinville, Washington
All our Busses run these type of blades. First off they rarely break. What usually happens is they get nicked from some object that was loose flying around the engine compartment, but I've only seen a couple completely loose a blade. Even after loosing the blade it did not destroy itself from being "out of balance" .In fact one was in service for over 1 year before someone noticed it never got replaced on a work order ! As far as noise goes, "ATPTac" is right, they make the same as a steel one. I cannot comment on the issue of drag, as we never checked for it. Though all the engine builders "speced " this type of fan blade for their engines : "Detroit Diesel", "Cummins", "CAT". So maybe there is less parasitic drag with a nylon fan over the steel. There is one more issue that needs to be brought up, "Weight". These types of fans
don't put the extra weight on the "water pump" bearings like a steel one would. So hopefully longer water pump lives.
don't put the extra weight on the "water pump" bearings like a steel one would. So hopefully longer water pump lives.
- 9,604
- 1,493
- 113
- Location
- mid- michigan
Sounds like you work in a real high quality shop.
rustystud
Well-known member
- 9,284
- 2,994
- 113
- Location
- Woodinville, Washington
We have over 1400 busses to maintain, and only 240 mechanics in 7 bases, (not shops, as the buildings can hold over 44 60ft busses at one time) so sometimes things fall through the cracks. We have the most modern buss system in the USA. Over a third of our fleet is hybrids, we where the first fleet to use this technology. Over 80% of our mechanics are "ASE" certified. We have our own rebuild center, where all components are rebuilt. We work hand in hand with "Cummins" "CAT" "Meritor" to name only a few. We have our own training center where mechanics from 3 states come to learn about the newest systems.
So yes I work in a "real high quality shop".
Last edited:
ATPTac
Member
- 379
- 3
- 16
- Location
- Charlotte, North Carolina
Have you had a chance to install/test it yet?
JasonS
Well-known member
- 1,650
- 144
- 63
- Location
- Eastern SD
Any update?
- 2,052
- 57
- 48
- Location
- Milford / Michigan
Has anybody ever had a stock deuce fan break? When I rebuilt my truck, the fan was bent, so I got a take-off replacement from another Deuce and it looked to be almost brand new, nice and straight.
gimpyrobb
dumpsterlandingfromorbit!
- 27,786
- 755
- 113
- Location
- Cincy Ohio
I have! It was awesome, I was towing an m818 home from GL when it happened, it cut open the radiator an we had to abandon the trucks at walmart for 2 days till I could get back and swap out the rad.
Carnage pics in post #46:
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showth...-are-good-some-not-so-good&highlight=radiator
Last edited:
FarmerRob
Member
- 151
- 2
- 18
- Location
- Chandler, TX
What's the haps, FMJ?
I just discovered today that I need to buy a fan and I'm trying to justify $125 for a nylon one over $35 for a used steel one. I'm also considering about $100 for an electric one.
Jeepsinker
Well-known member
- 5,399
- 456
- 83
- Location
- Dry Creek, Louisiana
I've been waiting to hear something on this subject as well.