Where to buy a 98 V8 fan blade

[ASAP]

Hey guys,
New to the sight. I tried to search the sight but have come up with nothing. If anybody can help, I need to get a replacement fan blade for a 98 v8 explorer. Local dealer says it's obsolete. The stock one I have is plastic and cracked. I've seen some metal ones out there, but don't know if these are OEM replacements or generic that doesn't work.

Please let me know any info you have....
Thanks,
David

 

[Turdle]

I'd try very hard to find a metal junk yard unit. Every plastic one out there is cracked. You will see the white stress marks at the fan blade to hub intersecting point

My 98 mounty had a metal fan, as does my 93 now

 

[ASAP]

Does the metal unit have the same clearance? The clutch mounts in the inside of the plastic one. The metal one looks to mount outside of the clutch twards the radiator.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Turdle]

I only noticed a clearance difference on the 93 but it works great. The 98 came that way. I haven't seen metal fans on v6's and the v8 metal fan is a hard unit to find.

 

[2000StreetRod]

plastic fan

Plastic is a suitable material for numerous automotive components. The photos below illustrate an unsuitable application of plastic. I purchased another used plastic fan in good condition on eBay but eventually want to switch to a metal one. I have the SOHC V6.

 

[Turdle]

Great pics Dale!

I might note that when I installed a 98 v8 fan to the 93 OHV, I should have used about a 1/16 or so thick spacer washer on the water pump neck-as the nut threaded down nicely, however the fan blades themselves do protrude back a bit further than the stock plastic fan. Between this and the water pump bolts, I don't think i can get a wrench to the fan nut now. I will have to "knock it around" with a chisel to get it turning off. Another 1/16" would allow my fan wrench in there.

I do not think the v8 serpentine setup will give you these issues though.

 

[pricetag2]

Try Rock Auto - $49.79

MOTORCRAFT Part # YA228 {#F87Z8600FA}
11 Blade Plastic

 

[ASAP]

Thanks alot for the info guys! I know these fans aren't the best, but don't want to try the metal one on a customer's truck due to potential issues.

I'm going to buy this one from rockauto.com

Thanks again!
David:biggthump

 

[Xplorer82]

I'm going to buy this one from rockauto.com
Thanks again!
David:biggthump

dont forget to use the rockauto 5% discount code. it is found in the vendors section of the forum.