<VV> Fan bearing & Rebuild

[N. Joseph Potts]

First, confirm it's the fan. Unship your fan belt and run the engine long
enough to see if the noise has stopped. If it hasn't stopped, it isn't the
fan, nor any other part of the belt train. If the noise has stopped, turn
off the engine and spin the fan by hand. Hear the noise?
     If the answer to the last question is yes, then you want to try to make
sure the problem isn't some piece of trash inside the engine shrouds
clicking against the fan blades. A flashlight, perhaps accompanied by
ambient darkness, would be of most help here. Maybe even a mirror for
certain angles, unless you've got either a giraffe's neck or a mouse's body.
     A rank amateur would find this job a bit of a challenge. Obviously, a
rank amateur with time, interest, and a modicum of tools can do this - how
about read your Shop Manual on the point? Just as important, this job CAN be
messed up, although messing up isn't likely to damage the engine in any
serious way (assuming you watch your temperature gauge, and that it's
working).
     Can't help you with the market for service - not in Ohio, not here, nor
anyplace in between.

Joe Potts
Miami, Florida USA
1966 Corsa coupe 140hp 4-speed with A/C

-----Original Message-----
From: virtualvairs-admin@corvair.org
[mailto:virtualvairs-admin@corvair.org]On Behalf Of Doug Foust
Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:05 PM
To: virtualvairs@corvair.org
Subject: <VV> Fan bearing & Rebuild

my 64 vert 110 PG is making a whirring sound that sounds like the bearing at
the top of the fan.  This comes at a time when I have been debating whether
to pony-up 2 and a half to 3 grand for an engine rebuild (which I really
can't afford at the moment).  A couple of questions:
1. If my diagnosis - fan bearing - is correct, any guess how long I can
drive like this before something catastrophic happens?
2.  How tough for a rank amateur with basic tools to replace?
3.  What should I pay to have it done?  (wondering whether this is the final
straw that leads me to go for the rebuild)
4.  Any suggestions on who to use in Ohio if I go for rebuild?  (likewise,
any sugestions of who to avoid off-line please)

Thanks to all,
Doug Foust