I've been struggling trying to make a set of fan hub bushings for my 26. The hub bolt is worn and I figure if I turn it down then the shaft diameter will be smaller than the threads and I'll have an even sloppier fit. So while I'm pondering what to do, I began to wonder why you couldn't put a zerk fitting where the oil filler plug is on the hub and just grease the hub instead of put oil in it? Has anyone tried this?
Many times!
I do all mine that way.
Just a little dab will do ya. Too much and you risk blowing the cover off the hub and grease coating the entire inside of the hood in line with the fan.
Jim
howbout just taking the fan off? haha, thats what i did. been running without one for a year now, even through 110 degree weather.
i have put 600w in them before. in reality if its loose its no big deal. all it has to do is spin, the biggest problem ive seen is over tightening the belt. all it has to do is spin the fan, and like jim said, just touch will do, that bearing isnt under any load and a little grease or heavy oil will last a long time.
Ford used a grease cup on the fan hub for some time in the 19 - teens. It works just fine!
Here's my take on the situation.
Oil or grease, either one works fine. I just feel that if you use oil, and fill up the fan hub, then the bushing is sort of "self-oiling," at least until the hub runs out of oil! Grease, however, doesn't really flow, so I just think that you would have to be a bit more active with your grease gun. On the same token, it would be easier to use the grease gun than fill the hub with oil...
I think that in the end, the best way is whatever one you prefer!
Chester,
I used to replace my fan hub bushings almost every year on mu '16 (I drive a lot). I finally bought a sealed ball bearing unit. I haven't touched it since. If you have the means to make bushings you might consider a sealed ball bearing conversion.
Be_Zero_Be
I packed mine with wheel bearing grease. It works fine. If you drive in cold temperatures, the fan may not turn very well, so just remove the belt. You won't need it anyway. Dave
I switched to a "modern" v belt years ago on our 13 out of necessity (the flat belt started to separate and I wanted to drive). When I went to the multi-v belt, I needed almost no tension on the belt to turn the fan. Since then, the wear on the bushing has been near non existent.
I already had the "modern" pulley on the crank with shoulder..
I put a zerk in just out of convenience. Just be careful not to overgrease - otherwise, you'll have grease all over the inside of your hood. Don't ask me how I know