changing the rad fan

[Ray Morley]

On my 70 Kadett I have a 5 bladed fan and I think I may be getting some vibration from it. I have a 7 bladed one that is is great shape that I may install.

Will I have to take the rad out to do this OR does anyone have any better ideas. Any tips appreciated.

Ray

[Anonymous D]

If you can find them, inserting one or two metric thread studs (of the same diameter as the bolts) will allow you to change a fan blade without having to remove or readjust the fan belt.

If there's clearance between the fan blade and the radiator, it's possible to do the job without draining and pulling the radiator.

[namba209]

I'm not sure about a Kadett, but on a GT without a shroud you can change out the fan without pulling the radiator. It's just a bit tight on space but can be done. IIRC the bolts don't hit the radiator as you remove them.

[jlthunder]

I'll add one more thing to Ron's response. If you do have a shroud, unbolt it from the radiator and slide it over the fan. You will now have some access to the fan. a rachet without any extensions should be able to unbolt the fan. Leaving the fan belt tight or loose is up to you. Be carful of the radiator, thoese fins are sharp.

HTH

Jeff

[opelnut10]

Yes, if you remove the shroud from the radiator and move it back behind the fan you have enough room to get to the fan bolts. Use a 1/4 drive ratchet and socket for the most operating room. To save your knuckles being scraped on the radiator fins either use a pair of mechanic's gloves or make you a ratcket handle extention made out of a piece of PVC pipe, it will keep you from losing your religion and a couple or three layers of skin off your knuckles

[guyopel]

If you cut the outer covers from a old phone book and tape to the radiator to protect your hands and the rad.
this can help speed up removal. HTH
John

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by namba209 I'm not sure about a Kadett, but on a GT without a shroud you can change out the fan without pulling the radiator. It's just a bit tight on space but can be done. IIRC the bolts don't hit the radiator as you remove them.

Same procedure is used on both Kadett and GT . . . distance between fan and radiator is about the same in both cases and fan shrouds must be unscrewed and moved back to gain access to four fan mounting bolts.

As has already been said, watch out for your knuckles!

[Ray Morley]

I managed to get the fan off with no problems but getting the new one back on was a bit of a trick. Because you had to feed the bolt through the fan, pulley and then the water pump holes it was tough to line up all four holes with virtually minimal wiggle room. I eventually managed to get the first bolt in and the other 3 were no problems.

One tip offered was to put cardboard on the rad to prevent cuts on the hands. I used some 2 way carpet tape and left one side of the tape backing on. It worked great.

Thanks for the tips!

[guyopel]

Great , now you're back on the road .
John