Cadillac 6 blade fan for Buick Straight eights

JPIndusi · July 4th, 2009

My 53 Special has had the radiator recored and all the rest of the cooling system replaced. It never overheats but does run hotter in a long parade or on a hot day in traffic. So I reasoned that air flow through the core is the only reason why the temperature goes up. I found a 6 blade fan from a 1958 Cadillac with Air Conditioning and it bolts right up with no interference , even on my 45R with power steering. It also looks very much like the four blade original in that the blades have a relatively square shape and not tapered like the 5 blade Buick fan for the Roadmaster straight eights. The results were very good, the thermostat (160) keeps it at the tight temperature when at highway speed and during a 30 minute parade the gauge only moved to "N" in the normal range. The part number for the 53 fan blade is the same from 1950-56 for cars without AC. I will check to see if it will fit earlier straight eights.
Joe, BCA 33493

Aaron65 · July 5th, 2009

That is an awesome tip...I've been thinking about upgrading the fan for the same reason you mention...Any ideas about what year Cadillac fans will work (part number wise) so I can start looking?

JPIndusi · July 6th, 2009

Aaron65:
I do not know the part number of the Cadillac 6 blade fan, I just know the fan came off a 1958 Cadillac with AC. The original 4 blade Buick fan is supposed to be the same for all Buicks 1950-56 except with air conditioning. I think the earlier Buick fans back to 1942 are very similar so this might work for these cars also. I know there was a five blade fan for some models of the Roadmaster and this would likely bolt up as well.
Good luck. Let me know if you can get a line on Cadillac part numbers for 6 blade fans.
Joe, BCA 33493

Aaron65 · July 6th, 2009

Thanks Joe...anyone have a Hollander manual? I'll post in another topic...

rusty1951 · July 19th, 2009

I tried that, it works. My 46 runs hot even with a new core and fresh rebuild pump and a fresh engine. I installed a 6 blade off a 59 caddy (with air). It was a bolt in. It dropped the temp about 20 degrees. The only problem is that you have to remove the rad to install the 6 blade. There is not enough room for your fingers to install the bolts to pump. I did try the 59 cad( non air) fan blade (4 blade) and that works also but not as well. The blades are deeper and move more air. It dropped the temp about 10 degrees. Each was about 15 bucks on ebay. Straight bolt in. Very easy.

JPIndusi · July 20th, 2009

I was able to install the 6 blade fan without removing the radiator. I assembled the bolts through the fan and the aluminum spacer, then slid this down in front of the pulley and started the bolts by hand. I then switched to a box end wrench to tighten.
If you put the fan blade in place with the spacer and then try to install the bolts there is not enough room for the bolts.
Joe

Aaron65 · July 20th, 2009

Now I just have to find one! The cheapest ebay one is 75 dollars...eek!

ian mac · July 29th, 2009

My 49 248 super gets warm if left ticking over for over 15 minutes.
am i correct in guessing that the clutch unit would be discarded before fitting the fan to the buick engine?
might seem obvious but i havent looked at my 49 sedanet as yet.
there is a 1960 cad 6 blade fan on ebay now for $75 but it has a clutch attached,
does anyone know ifl this fan will be correct to fit the 49?

Straight eight · July 30th, 2009

Have you guys tried Water Wetter? Added to coolant its good for a 20 degree drop in temp.
www.waterwetter.com

Red Line WaterWetter® is designed to provide improved metal wetting and excellent corrosion inhibition when added to plain water or a glycol coolant.
Water has twice the heat transfer capability when compared to 50% glycol antifreeze/coolant in water. Most passenger automobiles have a cooling system designed to reject sufficient heat under normal operating conditions using a 50/50 glycol solution in water.
However, in racing applications, the use of water and WaterWetter® will enable the use of smaller radiator systems, which means less frontal drag, and it will also reduce cylinder head temperatures, even when compared to water alone, which means more spark advance may be used to improve engine torque.
Red Line WaterWetter® will provide the proper corrosion inhibition for all cooling system metals, including aluminum, cast iron, steel, copper, brass, and lead.
$7.00 Per 12 ounce bottle
$80.00 Per Case. (12 Bottles)

JPIndusi · July 30th, 2009

Ian Mac:
The bolt pattern on the Buicks from the 1940's-50's was four bolts and I don't think the fans with a clutch will work. A straight 5 or 6 blade fan from a Buick or Cadillac (or possibly other GM car) before the advent of the clutch type fans is more likely to work. Ask the seller for the bolt hole size and spacing before bidding.
Joe, BCA 33493