Exploding Magnesium Fan!

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bbodie52
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Exploding Magnesium Fan!

Post by bbodie52 »

:eek: Something new that I had never heard of or seen before...
Robert Deeds — Corvair Owners Group — Facebook wrote:This happened the other day, was cleaning the gas tank finally got everything back together jumped in to get some gas put it in drive and went to go then bomb! Fan exploded taking out the draft tube dipstick and a spark plug. Damn magnesium lol. In my '61 Greenbrier...

... I've taken it apart a few times and noticed a hairline crack in the fan. I think it finally snapped on me.
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:whoa: :omgosh: :jawdrop:
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Bobby65
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Re: Exploding Magnesium Fan!

Post by Bobby65 »

WOW never herd of that happening! sure makes a mess!
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davemotohead
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Re: Exploding Magnesium Fan!

Post by davemotohead »

Well it had a crack in it! He should have know'n! :doh:
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bbodie52
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Re: Exploding Magnesium Fan!

Post by bbodie52 »

:nono: The lightweight magnesium fan definitely has some advantages over the heavier steel fans -- when it comes to increasing the life of your fan belt by reducing stress on it, but it is relatively fragile. It needs to be handled like china or pottery, and not allowed to impact other items or to be dropped. Obviously it should be inspected whenever it is removed and reinstalled, and it should be scrapped if any hairline cracks or other damage is detected!

IMAGINE IF YOU WERE WORKING OVER A RUNNING ENGINE, REVING THE ENGINE, SYNCING CARBURETORS, ETC. IF THE FAN WERE TO SHATTER UNDER SUCH CONDITIONS, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT NOT ALL OF THE SHRAPNEL WOULD BE CAUGHT BY THE UPPER SHROUD. Considering the broken spark plug and damaged PCV tube and dipstick, a piece of magnesium fan could do some severe damage to your body! Dropping a tool into a spinning blower could cause similar results. So work with caution!
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davemotohead
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Re: Exploding Magnesium Fan!

Post by davemotohead »

Also the Magnesium does corrode and weaken the fan,I have had 2 of them explode like that over the years,I always inspect them closely now
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miniman82
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Re: Exploding Magnesium Fan!

Post by miniman82 »

Happens to steel fans too, just ask any respectable VW drag racer...


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myhotrod
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Re: Exploding Magnesium Fan!

Post by myhotrod »

I am not doubting your information but I know that if the fan sucks in any piece of metal, nut, screw, etc., it may possible explode as shown. This usually happens at higher fan speed but my fan has chipped of a rather large piece at idle and can only guess what would happen at 3500 engine RPM. Thanks for reading
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