Checking a few things out on my 66 Corsa today and noticed 1 of the fan vanes is missing a piece about 1/4 the size of a half dollar. Is this a concern from either a cooling or balance perspective?

All other vanes seem fine.

---

Gary
1966 Corsa Convertible
Northern New Jersey

gbullman Wrote:
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> Checking a few things out on my 66 Corsa today and noticed 1 of the fan vanes is missing a piece about 1/4 the size of a half dollar. Is this a concern from either a cooling or balance perspective?
>
> All other vanes seem fine.


Fan being out of balance could be a potential issue as it could place undue stress on the bearing. That said, I ran one for quite a few years that way

San Juan Islands, WA

1965 Monza Coupe 110/4 Evening Orchid/Black (2nd Owner)
1966 Corsa Coupe 180/4 Marina Blue/Blue



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/10/2021 12:54PM by Gatorfly.

In my opinion, Yes,

I think there would be a concern since the fan will now be unbalanced.
At the speeds that the fan turns, this could create additional stress on the bearing and potentially result in a failure at some point.
It is also important to inspect any replacement part for cracks prior to installation as they have been known to fail.

There are others here with more experience regarding these fans and I would defer to their expertise over my opinion.

1962 95 F.C. Van
1964 Greenbrier Deluxe
1965 Monza Coupe
1965 Monza Convertible
Westminster, Maryland

MID ENG enthusiast &
prior Kelmark owner.

Check the remaining blades for cracks. I doubt there was just the one that let go.

James
65 Corsa
SF Bay Area

jamesolefjensen Wrote:
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> Check the remaining blades for cracks. I doubt there was just the one that let go.

--------------

Steve sez: A notch broken usually was by someones' carelessness. I wonder what tool you will find laying on the cylinders when you remove the fan shroud??

best wishes, Steve
Rear Engine Spec. Inc. Golden, Colo.

1962 spyder 3.0L turbo---1965 Crown V8
1967 monza 110/4---1968 monza 110/4
1971 amante gt 110/4
CORSA/RMC/PPCC/V8 Registry

Caraholic4life Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> In my opinion, Yes,
>
> I think there would be a concern since the fan will now be unbalanced.
> At the speeds that the fan turns, this could create additional stress on the bearing and potentially result in a failure at some point.
> It is also important to inspect any replacement part for cracks prior to installation as they have been known to fail.
>
> There are others here with more experience regarding these fans and I would defer to their expertise over my opinion.

Agree 100% not much to add here except a fan that is that far out of imbalance now has a much higher potential for exploding, especially because of the aged magnesium, and its propensity for intergranular corrosion. Its going to suck big time if that fan breaks and leaves you stranded even if theres no other damage to anything, even if you shut the engine down quick. The few actual fan explosions that I've seen pictures of were pretty ugly. Most would be suprised as to how tight of tolerance the balance grade the stock fans were held to!!

------------------------------------

Kevin Nash
Friday Harbor Washington
63 Spyder, Daily driver, EFI read about my project here: [corvaircenter.com]
first test start on EFI here:[www.youtube.com]
first official EFI boost test here:[www.youtube.com]
My new fan! [corvaircenter.com]
engine less 62 Spyder
Canadian 64 Monza Parts car

I agree with Steve, something was dropped or left in the fan. A piece that size is going to be very light, but it may cause an imbalance. Since its is kind PITA to replace. I think what I might try is to make cardboard template of the missing chunk, then mark the out line on the exact opposite blade and replicate the hole with a dremel. That should mechanically and aerodynamically balance things close enough. Then keep an eye on things.

J.O.

65 Corsa Turbo Vert
79 Honda XL 500S
69 Honda CL 160 D
2010 BMW F 650 GS
2003 Bounder 36D
2013 KIA Optima SX turbo-AKA ZIPPY (wife,s car)
69 Newport Holiday Sailboat
Baja 150 dune buggy cart
Coleman HS 500 UTV
2016 KIA Sorento SXL Turbo

Bethlehem,Pa

I'd advise against dremeling the fan. If that magnesium ignites, you will not be able to put out that fire.

David Clamp


1965 Corsa convertible - 140 4spd/3.55/AM-FM

2013 Mustang GT convertible - 5.0, 6spd auto, Procharger i-1

2003 Miata SE - 6spd manual (wife's toy)

"Victory is mine!" - SG

Norman, OK

I would suggest a replacement top cover with fan and bearing. That may be overkill but if the bearing is old and the balance is off I'd go that way if you can afford it. I'd consider it cheap insurance.

Greg Miller
Eugene, Oregon

This is what will happen if you don't replace a failing fan: [www.hagerty.com]

Chet in Ramona

vairchet Wrote:
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> This is what will happen if you don't replace a failing fan: [www.hagerty.com]


Excellent post Chet

San Juan Islands, WA

1965 Monza Coupe 110/4 Evening Orchid/Black (2nd Owner)
1966 Corsa Coupe 180/4 Marina Blue/Blue

I don't like the idea of having broken (rotating) parts on my vehicles. Especially when I may drive 2,000 + miles at a time. With that said I have had the same broken/chipped fan for many many miles. I agree with what Chet posted. But it may not happen for a looong time. It is a lot easier to replace this part on a naturally aspirated Corsa than on the other type (especially in your garage vs. on the road).

Wow, certainly don’t want to chance that sort of failure!

While the Nashfan looks amazing it is quite a commitment of funds for a cooling fan on a street car.

Clark’s only has used fans listed and I can essentially exchange my top cover to get a cover with a new bearing.

What’s the benefit of the aluminum hub, just the lower weight?

Anyone have experience with used fans from Clark’s?

Kind of bummed I have to remove all the carbs and linkage to change out a fan.

---

Gary
1966 Corsa Convertible
Northern New Jersey

You can remove the carbs and linkage all together along with the fuel lines.

David Clamp


1965 Corsa convertible - 140 4spd/3.55/AM-FM

2013 Mustang GT convertible - 5.0, 6spd auto, Procharger i-1

2003 Miata SE - 6spd manual (wife's toy)

"Victory is mine!" - SG

Norman, OK

I just bought a used one from The Ranch, I think it was $40 and was nice. Changing it isn't a lot of fun, but it'll only take you a couple of hours. Unless of course you catch the "while I'm in here" bug...

Chad Guthrie
Onondaga, MI
'63 convertible

If you haven't deflashed the heads you'll have to do that while you are in there and that will add hours to the job.

Joel
Northlake, TX
5 Ultravans, 114 Corvairs and counting...

I took the plunge on the Nash Fan, but it hasn't arrived yet and when it does I will be putting it on the car in California when I go out to get it in April.

All that is to say that if you can wait that long, you can have my original stock one. I'll even pay the postage. You shouldn't drive on that fan.

PM me if this interests you.

Cheers.

____________________________________________

Eric C. Player, Fargo, ND, USA
MEMBER: CORSA National, Central Coast CORSA, South Coast CORSA, Vintage CORSA, Sfba CORSA, and the San Joaquin Valley Corvair Club. Those may change.
THEN:
1965 Monza 110, Canary Yellow
1965 Corsa 180 Turbo, Red
1966 Monza 110, Purple
1967 Monza 140, Red
1966 500 110, Black; nicknamed "Shadow"
1965 Monza 110, Camaro Yellow; nicknamed "Silver"
NOW:
1966 Corsa 180 Turbo, Blue; nicknamed "Bluvair"

"He cautioned me not to take notes. It would not have helped if I had, as he would start a paragraph with, 'It is therefore obvious. . .'
and go on from there to matters which may have been obvious to him and God but to no one else."
-- Robert A. Heinlein, character of Daniel B. Davis, 'The Door Into Summer.'

Eric,

PM sent.

Joel,

I’ve read of “deflashing the heads” since getting this car, what exactly does that mean?

Thanks,
Gary

---

Gary
1966 Corsa Convertible
Northern New Jersey

That chip in the fan blade has probably been there for many years/miles. Change it when you get a chance but don't freak out about it. I've seen far worse still in service.

Dave W. / Gilbert Arizona
65 Corsa 140/4
66 Corsa 140/4
66 Corsa 140/4 w/factory A/C
66 Corsa 455 Toro V8
65 Monza Convertible 110/4
66 Monza Convertible 140/4 A/C
65 Monza 4DR 140/PG w/factory A/C
65 Monza 4DR EJ20T/5