C2: What fan blade is correct for my 1966

[Hans R.]

The AIM and Noland Adams Restoration guide states that a 1966 A/C (C60) car came with either 3789562 or 3863137 fan blade. Both these fan blades had 5 blades. The NCRS 1966 Technical Information Manual & Judging Guide (#3, page 103) on the other hand, states that "Air conditioned cars use a fan which has seven blades for better cooling". Is this later information not correct that all A/C cars had 7 blade fans?

I have a p/n 3955182, 914166 19895 (with "Front" marking) fan blade. Could this be considered ok as a service replacement part for my 1966 327/300 A/C coupe?

Thanks for any help on this. Hans Ryden #868, Sweden

[Jim S.]

Re: C2: What fan blade is correct for my 1966

Hans,

I have owned three small block mid -years . Two 66's and one 65 . all had a/c and only the 65 had the 7 blade fan. The JG is wrong.

The only thing I can think of as to why the JG states this is because the assembly manual may have called for a 7 blade. To my knowledge however, I dont't think any 66s had a seven blade fan .Nor did either of mine have the extension ring on the Fan Shroud , as also stated by the Jg.

As to the fan you have being correct or not , I will leave it to Joe Or others who know the Numbers better than I

Jim

[Peter L.]

Re: C2: What fan blade is correct for my 1966

Hans - Is the 66 TIM&JG reference the latest version? I agree with Jim. The 66 sb C60 Corvettes had one of two 18" diameter fan blade assemblies and both have 5 blades. There is a statement in the 66 TIM&JG that says that some 66 C60 Corvettes had a 7 blade fan blade assembly but this is unverified. Pete

[Joe L.]

Re: C2: What fan blade is correct for my 1966

Jim and Hans-----

The GM #3955182 is not an "NCRS-correct" fan blade assembly for your car and it was never cataloged by GM for your application. However, in my opinion, it should 100% functional. The 3955182 was originally used for some 1969 and 1970 Corvettes and later became the SERVICE fan for most 1969-70 Corvette applications, except 1970 LS-5 with C-60.

[Dick W.]

Re: C2: What fan blade is correct for my 1966

The 4th Edition is the latest version. I will look in it in the a.m. and see what it says

[Jim S.]

Re: C2: What fan blade is correct for my 1966

Pete and Dick,

I would be interested to see if #4 JG has changed also.

66 JG #3 , on page 103 states, just as Hans said : "Air conditioned cars use a fan which has seven blades for better cooling."

[Randy S.]

Re: C2: What fan blade is correct for my 1966

Guys,

The 4th edition JG says pg 102 states

"Air conditioned small block cars use one of two assemblies, either 3789562 or 3863137. Both are 5 blade...

Ther are undocumented cases of 7 blade fans used in air conditioned cars

Randy

[Hans R.]

Re: C2: What fan blade is correct for my 1966

Thanks a lot for the info from all you guys. It appears that I have to buy 2 things; the 4th edition of JG and a 5 blade fan. I looked in the catalogs I have (LIC, Mid America, Ecklers) and I can't find any 5 blade fan for A/C cars that is 18 inch in diameter? Does anyone know where to buy such a fan that meets the NCRS specs? Hans Ryden #868

[Dick W.]

Re: C2: What fan blade is correct for my 1966

I purchased one from Keen Parts a few months ago. It is not in their catalog, but they had the correct A/C fan blade.

[Joe R.]

Re: C2: What fan blade is correct for my 1966

Hi Hans:

Part of your challenge will be learning to recognize the 3789562 and 3863137 fans, since the part number is not stamped on either one. The GM drawings for both appear in Noland Adams' book.

The 3789562 has a unique shape to the blade where it attaches to the center "spider." Attached is a photo of a NOS 3789562 that I located a few years ago by doing a google search on the part number. I'm not 100% certain that this unit matches the production design in every respect, but it has done fine in judging.

I will put a photo of the 3863137 in a separate posting.

[Joe R.]

Re: C2: What fan blade is correct for my 1966

Here is a photo of the 3863237 fan (Hey Brian, do you recognize this car?).

[Jim S.]

Re: C2: What fan blade is correct for my 1966

Randy,

Well I am glad we got that corrected in #4! Thanks for the info.
Like Hans, I guess I need to get one .

Jim