Fan seizing.

[Jonathan.2909]

So on my 1919 runabout, the fan has seized for the second time in the span of 15 miles worth of engine run time. I’ve found that it does free up if I loosen the center shaft but I’d prefer to not have to fix it every 15 miles. Is there something I’m doing wrong, the fan spins freely when I put it on and then locks up and melts the belt before I can pull over to take the belt off.

[speedytinc]

Your belt is too tight if you are smoking them. You should be able to easily spin the fan slipping the belt.
Doesn't your fan shaft have a nut to lock the shaft after you set the shaft position?

[Norman Kling]

I agree with the above concerning the belt and adjustment. Also you must have good lubrication to the fan bushing. Some fans have a grease cup and others have a small plug next to the pulley for oiling or greasing and some aftermarket fans have sealed bearings. So it depends on the type you have, what you need to do to free it. It does sound like something is getting too hot and expanding causing it to freeze up.
Norm

[Oldav8tor]

I had the same problem until I replaced the fan hub with a sealed ball-bearing unit. Thousands of trouble-free miles since.

[Jonathan.2909]

Your belt is too tight if you are smoking them. You should be able to easily spin the fan slipping the belt.
Doesn't your fan shaft have a nut to lock the shaft after you set the shaft position?

The belt was smoking because of the heat from the crankshaft trying to turn it and the fan not rotating with the belt, the friction caused the belt to adhere to the pulley

[Jonathan.2909]

There isn’t a nut on the back of it.

[speedytinc]

If you can show a picture, we can confirm it's missing for the year or your T. Maybe a picture in your T1 service manual.
Earlier versions have a grease cup. The base of that grease cup acts as a lock nut, otherwise the later style has a separate nut.

[Jonathan.2909]

I can’t figure out how to get the photo onto the forum, I’m on mobile and as soon as I get home I hit the road for Hershey, I’ll try to but I don’t know if I’ll be able to

[jsaylor]

Here is an exploded view..

[Craig Leach]

Hi Jonathan,
If your 1919 has has the correct fan ( brass hub W/ riveted fan blades ) The bolt/shaft 3966 should a hole in the center for grease & the 3970
grease cap acts like a lock nut to stop the shaft from turning so you can set the shaft so it is not tight on the fan bushing. If you have the later aluminum hub w/the screws holding the fan there is a plug for a grease zerk between the fan & the belt. I grease mine every trip.
Craig.

[Jonathan.2909]

Here is a photo. its a 19 so it has a grease cup not a locking nut,I did fill the inside with grease before assembling it so it could be the grease cup not tight enough,

[speedytinc]

You got it figured out now.

[TRDxB2]

It looks like you have a mix of parts. The fan assembly T-3962 and a FAN SHAFT Part # T-3966 with a fan shaft 3967B.

So the question is is the fan shaft threading into the fan support arm your using ?

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[Jonathan.2909]

It looks like you have a mix of parts. The fan assembly T-3962 and a FAN SHAFT Part # T-3966 with a fan shaft 3967B.

So the question is is the fan shaft threading into the fan support arm your using ?
fansss.png
latre support arm.png
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The boxed in black thing that you questioned is a headlight wire, I am bad at managing the wires

[Mike Silbert]

According to the judging guidelines, encyclopedia, and parts books he has the correct fan assembly on his 1919 car. The 1917 to 1920 used an iron hub, riveted blade, straight arm. grease cup style fan. I can not find a diagram for it. It has replacable bushings is serviceable and quite sturdy. The blades will still crack like the brass ones so inspect carefully.
Inspect and if all is ok then grease it up and the shaft locks with the grease cup like the brass style. I had to add a spacer between the grease cup and arm once when it would not properly lock in place and stay put.
Properly setup these will give a long life and not give the problems with the earlier brass style.

If someone could find the correct assembly diagram it would be helpful

[Allan]

Early and late shafts have a smaller diameter threaded section to screw into the arm. Both should be fitted to the arm, hard up to the shoulder on the shaft. If the fan is seized/tight, then the faces on the bushings need to be worked back. Then the grease cup/castle nut can be wound up tight to lock things in place.
It is asking too much of the thin grease cup centre to hold the shaft tight if it is not already tight in the arm.

Allan from down under.

[Original Smith]

For the aluminum style with the brass plug, I use SAE 90 OR 140. It's a good idea to check them once in a while, because they can run dry over a period of time.