Who has had success w/Vertex Fan Housing. Somewhat long.

GrowIt · 01-15-2007, 01:29 PM

How many of you have tried the Vertex Fan Housing? Yes I have read the archives. They have sent my second one because the 1st was not even close to fitting (too large). The second one sent to me was the same size as the first. I decided to try the sanding method to get it to fit that I read in the archives. After about 4 hours of sanding and checking fit - still does not fit correctly. The 2 top threads on the housing, still do not line up w/holes in fiberglass cowl. When I get the threads to line up close, the bottom of the housing pulls away from the engine case towards the crankshaft pulley. In addition, when the housing is close to fitting, as it should, it moves right to left a few millimeters like I have a high spot on the base part of the housing still.

I contacted them today and they act like they do not understand why I am having trouble getting it to fit. They feel I am doing something wrong and that they have sold hundreds of them with no problems. I asked them if they were sending the one for an 88 3.2. Their answer was we only have the one size and that fits all years. I have removed and replaced my old housing at least a dozen times repairing the old one (the old one kept cracking as many of us know).

Looking for encouragement that one of these housings will work. They have offered to take this one back and send me another (of course, after they receive this one back - more time and more money on my end). This is even after I told him I have been sanding it trying to get it to fit.

Thanks for all suggestions.

David · David's Garage

I spent at least 10 (maybe 20) hours sanding and polishing my Vertex housing. Extra time was spent on the OD so it would fit as good as I thought it needed to. I bought another aftermarket one from another source so I knew as bad as the Vertex was, it was way better than the alternative. I talked to them about the fit and they seemed surprised. I'm sure they had been told that many times so I wish they wouldn't act surprised, it sure doesn't make me want to buy from them again.

Once it was polished, it looked good and since it's aluminum it'll look good longer than the magnesium. The timing mark was a degree or so off and I had to use a longer bolt on the strap, but at least it's a strong part that won't fail again unlike the weld the old one alternative.

GrowIt · 01-15-2007, 03:08 PM

Thanks. When you completed it, do you feel it fit perfect? I am concerned w/the slight movement right to left w/out the strap attached. Thanks again for your reply and encouragement. I am not too sure if I am returning this one to start over. I had my old one welded 2x's and each crack was new w/in a 2 or 3 year period. This Vertex part does look stronger.

discovery2 · 01-15-2007, 03:12 PM

Mine fit, no problem.

GrowIt · 01-15-2007, 07:09 PM

Any one else??

David · David's Garage

There's probably a little side to side movement on the pin, but when the strap is tight it's not going anywhere.

304065 · 01-16-2007, 05:19 AM

One size fits all years!

There are at least three different fan diameters and at least four different fan blade designs over the years!

The casting appears to be of very low dimensional accuracy and I would NEVER buy anything that had a vendor's name and phone number staring me in the face every time I opened the engine compartment.

redcoupe86 · 01-16-2007, 06:20 AM

I went throgh the same crap your going through! Don't even try sanding it and all that, just call them up and ask them to send you another. I went through all kind of measurments with micrometers, I did cad drawings I took measurements on the car, I even contacted a machine shop to take material off the damn thing so It would fit. In the end, it was too critical of a part to "rig" up. So I called them and explained my delima, and then took pictures and sent the whole thing back.

The new one they sent worked fine.

Just send it back, trust me it will be a lot better if they send you one you don't have to fiddle with.

Here is a link from my problem:

I new I should of bought a real Porsche part the Vertex fan housing is a real piece

GrowIt · 01-16-2007, 09:43 AM

Thanks. I think I have decided to send it back since they are going to take it after I have sanded it. I just wish they would not act so suprised that it does not fit and assume I am doing something wrong. Thanks again

75Carrera · 75Carrera's Garage

I got one from Vertex and have had no issues with it at all. I have an '86 3.2 in my car...

William930t · 05:36 PM

I know your frustration well, it took quite some time to get the Vertex fan in its notch base and squeeze under the fiberglass shroud. The two top screws aligned ok, but a longer strap bolt was necessary. Once tightened it felt firm. I don't trust the timing mark either.

For all the trouble, I am generally pleased. It is one solid piece of aluminum.

Don't forget to grind off the Vertex logo & number on top!!!

rusnak · 05-11-2007, 04:14 PM

I need to buy a replacement fan shroud badly, but no way am I gonna buy a Vertex. I don't need that kind of brain damage.

And they actually cast their own logo and phone number on the part?!

You gotta be kiddin me!!!!!

Nutmeg911 · 05-11-2007, 06:00 PM

Hi Rusnak
I have experiance with the vertex fan housing its a pain, its pretty much like the bad experiance's of the posts above, I ended up sending mine back and getting a refund, I have only one crack, so I put my old one back in. I was just going to try to find a good used one if thats possible. I dont know why there are such dimensional differences between one vertex fan housing and another vertex fan housing, if from the same manufacture, then they should have the same dimensions. I think the best company for the job of making after market fan housings would be maybe a wheel manufacture. It seems there should more machining on the vertex fan housing, not just the pad for the alternator.

redcoupe86 · 05-11-2007, 06:28 PM

well if good luck on finding what your after if your not going to use the Vertex unit. I understand why you wouldn't want the pain, but I didn't have the patience to wait for one to come up from a wreck at a dismanteler. I mean I called everywhere, all over the contry and there was just nothingm for two weeks I searched. They are getting so scarce. All in all my story ended up well with a unit that finally worked but it did take some time. The Vertex name and number don't really bother my that bad, my car will never be a rare bird, and I just wanted it to run. Again, good luck to all yall looking for an orginal.

rusnak · 05-11-2007, 07:22 PM

I found a guy who welds pipes and well casings for a living. I think they might be able to weld up the cracks in my old one. I'll report back with pics if it works out. I mean unless the cracks connect and I lose a directional vane in my old one, nothing is worth dealing with "surprised" vendors who sell junk to you and make you return the part and demand your money back. Why would I invite that on myself?

Nutmeg911 · 05-11-2007, 08:14 PM

This subject is very frustrating to me, if you dont have this part on your car it is dead in the water, thats it you are not going anywhere! It is a simple part one solid chunk of material casting with minor machineing and we live in an age were darn near any part can be replicated and produced at a reasonable price, then why is it only two places are making copys at such sporatic quality and dimension levels? If someone would make one with consistent quality and dimensions they would sell every one of them. This is supposed to be a REPLACEMENT part not some kind of refurbishment/do it yourself molded in color maybe painted to match picture on box paint and glue not included kit. I just want to buy one and put it on and go drive my car without grinding, filing, filling, cutting, carving or what have you thats all.

redcoupe86 · 05-11-2007, 09:22 PM

I suppose welding is ok if the metal is in otherwise good condition, but my understanding of magnesium (not very good mind you) it that as the material ages it becomes - i dont know how to technically explaine it - "fragile" for lack of a better word. I think the reason we are seeing so many bad fan housing is that the life of the housings are nearing some kind of end life cycle. Now Im totally pulling that idea out my rear, but if you look a the cars with 20 plus years and look at the original upainted housings they start looking like the metal is "flaking" away, or pitting away. I don't know, just speculation here.

Anyway, my point is if your going to weld a housing make sure the whole thing is in pretty good shape besides the crack, otherwise your just get cracks somewhere else and you'll be chasing your tail.

Quote:

Originally posted by rusnak
I found a guy who welds pipes and well casings for a living. I think they might be able to weld up the cracks in my old one. I'll report back with pics if it works out. I mean unless the cracks connect and I lose a directional vane in my old one, nothing is worth dealing with "surprised" vendors who sell junk to you and make you return the part and demand your money back. Why would I invite that on myself?

rusnak · 05-12-2007, 03:37 PM

It's made out of magnesium? I thought it was aluminum. I guess if it's made out of magnesium then you can't really weld it.

redcoupe86 · 05-12-2007, 03:54 PM

yes, its magnesium, and you can get it welded its just not an "any shop" can do it thing. You can try to find some aircraft mechanics that are trainned in it though.

Quote:

Originally posted by rusnak
It's made out of magnesium? I thought it was aluminum. I guess if it's made out of magnesium then you can't really weld it.