saving a fan, how
 

Last winter I had my racecar alternator rebuilt locally here in Denver. I removed the fan first and put it back on myself. The first practice session out at the Texas club race, the shaft slips past the hub keyway slot and throws the belt. Nuts! and for most of a day I wrestled with this vexing issue. I tried to free the fan from the shaft and got no where. I ended up buying another fan and alternator from some other racers (one guy had an alternator and another the fan) and throwing the old (new alternator) and fan into my spare parts bin.
So now I am in my garage attempting to salvage my fan as these items are pricey. I know you can get another hub for the fan, so I tried drilling out the rivets with limited success. The shaft is toast so the alternator is , but I really would like to have a spare fan.
Any thoughts lads?http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1230392506.jpg

Saving your fan........
 

Bill,

I just went down to my basement and opened the box containing my spare alternator unit and here is my thought. Have you tried using a hydraulic press to push the alternator shaft out? Harbor Freights sells this press for a real bargain or find someone local that has one. Good luck......

Tony

I see one chipped blade at least - is it worth saving?

I have removed the center hub for plating. You need to use a smaller bit and a drill press would be nice, but it looks like you are almost home. The thru hole in the hub is .205" so use a bit smaller then that! Be careful not to enlarge the holes, your goal here is to remove most of the material from the flat rivet head..go slow and let the bit go for the aluminum. I had to tap the remaining rivet out with a drift. I need to look but I might have a center hub.

Ron if you have a hub, I would be way interested in it. Thanks for the tips.
I was a little impatient last night when I was drilling. I will see if I go back to a smaller size bit that I can finish it right. No drill press though. Oh and a little chip on the fan is no big deal in the scheme of things, price a new OEM fan and you will understand my cheapness.

You may want to economize, but if that blade lets loose, it won't be such an economic success. Some things we just have to toss. Or make wall art from. (You could always take it down and use it ;))

Have you tried the inertia method? Lay a couple of 4x 4's on the floor parallel, maybe two more on top of those. Spread them just enough that the alternator passes through. Holding the fan carefully smack it down, evenly against the blocks. The alternator should come away. Watch out for the fingers. :eek:

x2 ^ Sometimes just a bit of brute force is needed to get things done. Im not sure what your problem was int he first place. You said your keyway was slipping. Did you forget to put the key in it? Im thinking your alternator is saveable if you dont bugger the shaft much more. Before you try to get it off i would dremel around the edge of the shaft a little to deburr where it was peened over. then heat it up a little with a propane torch. then use the blocks and punch