Plastic Fan Blade Replacement ?

[ThreeJs]

While replacing a leaking heater hose I noticed the numerous cracks in my plastic cooling fan.
I have a 12 blade fan. 1996 4.0 OHV.
I see 10 blade and 12 blade replacements.
Is one better than the other?
Is a 10 blade more resistant to cracks or...????

http://www.ebay.com/itm/332143401609?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/301954400299?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Going on a road trip next week so this needs immediate attention.

Cracks between almost every blade. Think this is the worst cracks.

 

[XLTrunner]

Seeing that these are Chinese (Taiwan) made parts, who knows what their quality is like? I'd just go with the 12-blade as originally supplied and hope for the best.

 

[Josh P]

The more blades on the fan the more air it will move. I need to look at that 12 blade for my grand cherokee, I found an 11 blade from a 96-04 gmc 4.3l fits the Ford fan clutch.

 

[J_C]

Supposedly those Chinese plastic replacements are short lived. I've seen people suggest to go with a metal blade instead but don't know a source for it.

 

[Rhett]

As with J_C I have not found a source of metal fan. This topic recently came up in the 1st gen forum and someone said that *some* 2nd gen 5.0 V8's had metal fans, and that those would work, but i have never gone that route. All the 2nd gen 5.0 V8 fans I've ever seen were plastic.

Your fan is cracked pretty badly, that would concern me. I'm on my probably third (3rd) fan on my truck, and none of the ones I replaced were that bad. I ended up buying one from Ford the last time, and it was expensive (like $100) !!

 

[lobo411]

I have a 1996 4.0 OHV too, and I went with this one from amazon...40% cheaper than the ones you linked. Made in Taiwan, seems to be at least superficially OEM quality.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004J0SSLU

 

[Josh P]

A metal fan and clutch hub from a jeep with a 4.0l will fit the Ford 4.0l.

 

[ThreeJs]

Thanks for the replies.
I ordered the 12 bladed replacement plastic fan.
No need to mess with what works. It's inexpensive enough. If it needs replacement every few years...I can deal with that.

The seller also lists this metal fan blade for those thinking of trying to fit it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Replacement...96|Model:Explorer&vxp=mtr&hash=item43ffe1b9b0

Fitment chart says it fits 96 Explorer EB, Limited, XLT 4.0 OHV and 5.0
Under Product Info though it lists:

• Fitment:

• 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 FORD EXPLORER (V8)