Cooling Fan

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Harlan Halsey
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Cooling Fan

#1 Post by Harlan Halsey »

What's the story with the cooling fan? I see that Stoddard offers everything else attached to the generator armature shaft but the fan. Other 356 sources don't seem to offer a fan either.
Apparently there are two fans, which are interchangeable, a 16 blade and 28 blade. I seem to recall that the 28 blade pushes more air but takes more power to drive. (I think that Chuck Forge took blades out of race car fans, but that may have been on the 914.)
VW sources (JBugs) offer a fan which they say is 36mm wide and fits all air cooled bugs, including the 36 HP. Is that the one 256 people are using?
I think given the passage of time, and the likelihood of metal fatigue, I'd like a new fan for my current project. I would appreciate informed opinion on the subject.

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Al Zim
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Re: Cooling Fan

#2 Post by Al Zim »

Zim's Autotechnik keeps that fan in stock. The cost is $69.95. Orders placed by 2PM usually ship the same day. If you are concerned about the horsepower lost because of the extra blades put another 3 pounds of air in the tires and switch to a slightly larger tire. It is important to use the same size generator belt because it positions correctly. Zim's Autotechnik 800.356.2964 Thanks for thinking of us al zim
I would think twice before I put a blower fan on that was at the youngest 47 years old.
Last edited by Al Zim on Fri Mar 16, 2018 6:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Dan Epperly
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Re: Cooling Fan

#3 Post by Dan Epperly »

It's a VW 36hp fan with the fewer blades and a 40hp with the increased blades. You can also use a 1600 single port fan, same dimensions just doesn't have the holes in it. You can get them at any VW swap meet for $10, at least out here.
There are also places on the internet that sell new fans welded and balanced for more bucks if you are so inclined.
Just make sure you don't get the wider "doghouse" 71 up type 1 fan, it won't fit your shroud.

Brad Ripley
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Re: Cooling Fan

#4 Post by Brad Ripley »

The correct fan is VW part number 113-119-031-A note the "A" suffix. The blade width is 32 mm, not the later 35 mm size. Most are made in Brazil; you'll find various pricing out there, usually about $20.

Steven Clarke
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Re: Cooling Fan

#5 Post by Steven Clarke »

Guys:
I just replaced the fan on a friends 912 engine. It was identical, but no VW stamp. Like Brad said, probably made in Brazil. $24, including shipping.
Steve

https://www.ebay.com/p/Engine-Cooling-F ... 0005.m1851
 

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John Clarke
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Re: Cooling Fan

#6 Post by John Clarke »

Hi Harlan
While on the topic of Cooling Fans. Does anyone have the detail of where to TIG Weld the fins to stop them flying apart, and also how to balance them once welded.
Cheers
Jay
 

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Ashley Page
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Re: Cooling Fan

#7 Post by Ashley Page »

The tabs on the fan vanes protrude through the fan housing and they are staked to prevent them coming apart. It is not difficult to weld them without adding filler rod or removing any metal; thus no need to balance after welding.
My fan weighed 1171G before and after welding and there was no warpage or potato chipping.
I have welded several that way but they were all tight and solid from the beginning.

Maybe the ones that we hear about self destructing were actually out of balance from the get go??

I’ve held maybe 25 fans but never one with loose vanes but would guess they do exist out there.
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Steve Douglas
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Re: Cooling Fan

#8 Post by Steve Douglas »

Harlan, be aware that there are at least three styles of VW fans out there, besides the number of blades, there are also 3 different centers, one with 8 holes about 3/4" diameter that go under the cover plate, there are also some with bigger holes about 1 1/8" diameter that won't be covered completely by the 356 cover plate, and one from later 1600 VWs with only two small 1/4 holes. The large holes can make a whine if not covered fully. I don't know if there were two different diameters of the cover plates. But all will fit the standard generator, check the depth as a shim or two may be needed under the "drive plate"
Try Peninsula Automotive in Campbell CA (408) 378-7033 they normally have some used, for like $10. Or, Kelly Park / Red Barn Swap Meets is coming up in mid-April, or June is Parts Heaven Porsche Swap.
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