Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Pat, try using some washers as spacers rather than boring out the center hole in the fan to a larger size. Use just enough spacers to get the fan to be even with or clear the hub. It worked for me.

(o{I}o)

We talkedit over and decided not to, because the bolts were significantly smaller than the slots, so the rig could slip. It will eventually work; the question is whether to weld a shet stell reinforcing plate which would then be drilled to fit properly. It's the mechanic's call.

GO to any auto parts store. Buy a spacer for fan blades. A stock chevy spacer (ca. 1955-75) will probably work. The auto parts stores sell a kind of universal such spacers in a variety of sizes and applications. Cut it down a little if needed. Have it COUNTER bored just enuf to fit hte Packard pump. That's what i had to do.

Packard V8 has it right. If you're scared you won't get the hole centered, take it to a machine shop. They'll likely do it right then and it'd be dirt cheap. Fortunately the 50 pump had the large shoulder on the water pump and then a small one on the end and the small one fit the spacer perfectly. I put washers on the pump from the flange to the small shoulder where the spacer was just to give it some rigidity.

Plan B;
A fan shroud. Most all modern production shrouds are PLASTIC. That means they are ez to cut and fit. Used ones are Probably dirt cheap too.

Wonder why none of the vendors offer a spacer/adapter for modern fans????

Spacers are cheap, maybe kanter or someone will buy some, drill them correctly, and add 50% to the price. It'd be worth it, $30 for a correct spacer vs $20 for your own you have to mangle. Plus, with all us Guinea pigs giving the correct dimensions for different cars/motors, they can list the application in their book.

Quote:

patgreen, have you considered cutting some short lengths of steel tubing to fit over the bolts? These would act as sleeves to make up the diameter difference. Also you could drill out the holes in the pump hub and tap in new threads. This is probably not the fan for your car, but these are a couple of other things to consider to get it to fit.

(o{I}o)

Appreciate the good ideas. I don't do the work, but I use a couple of mechanics I trust, and find that they make better decisions than I do, plus when they make the call they are invested in the work. They don't like using washers, and I agree. As to spacers, there isn't a lot of room in which to "space".

To my untrained eye, enlarging the hole makes the most sense if it doesn't weaken the fan too much.

Another consideration is that these are old cars; the day may come when the water pump has to go while we are in the middle of nowhere (probably holding a tin cup for gas money). I don't want that potential scenario complicated by the need2 for a machinist; I don't want grief brought about by a wobbling fan blade.....

As it turns out, thr flrx riye fan is a no-go. Drilling out the the mounting hole would weaken the fan too much. Apparently welding on reinforcement doesn't answer either.

back to square one for the moment.....

meanwhile, the alternator is coming along. We figure to mount the evaporator with vibration standoffs which will absorb harmonics and allow the glove box to be used. A compressor bracket is being fabricated from the Vintage air universal bracket.

Don't know if the oil filter needs to be repositioned yet....