127 driveshaft question

[tobo127]

I just spent 2+ hours looking for info I thought I recently saw on a post regarding the cooling fan placement on the driveshaft. Somewhere I just saw the dimension called out but can't for the life of me find where that was (post, manuals, etc). It stuck in my head because I thought the fan was placed real close to the flex disc and it appears that the disc would block a lot of the airflow from being directed back to the hydro. Anyone have the dimension of the fan from the driveshaft flex coupling arms? It's probably not all that critical, but if I have a choice I'd rather place it where the engineers thought it should go. As a replacement fan, I have the metal fan with the nice setscrew hub to attach it to the shaft. Seems to be a much better design than the plastic fans on most units. Was this an early design that just proved to be too expensive for future production? I've seen a fan shroud called out also. Which models used these shrouds? Was this for improved airflow or protection for the fan blades? Also shows an air baffle in the exploded parts diagram which is missing on mine. Where was that installed? Anyone with pics of these items installed on a 127?

[64fleetside]

As long as it's not too close to the lift you are OK. IIRC it was somewhere around an inch+ from the rear flange.

[J-Mech]

Did you replace the driveshaft?

[ford4150]

[tobo127]

Yes, driveshaft was replaced with a new (remanufactured) one. I purchased a fan from Patton and he advised using the metal one (which I totally agree). Probably a lot more durable if you pick up any debris while mowing or running over branches and such. Spinning plastic and solid objects just can't compete with no damage.The original shaft had a plastic fan with all the blades broken (along with a snapped front section at the pin hole, and the rear coupler on the hydro worn through). Definitely needed a reworked driveshaft. The metal fan even has a clutch action in the hub, nice design.

I can take an educated guess where the fan should go but remember seeing the dimensions somewhere recently. As mentioned on the previous post, it is somewhere around 1" from the rear driveshaft cross arm. What I remember seeing was a picture with a dimension added (I think it was 1 1/4", but just can't be sure). It just seems, with the diameter of the fan blades about the same as the flex disc that something further away would help in getting more air around the flex disc. I'm down to a bare frame right now so I can't imagine what other obstructions might be in the vacinity.

Again, a picture of another 127 with the factory setup would speak volumes!

[tobo127]

Ford4150, which manual did that come from? I think that is what I saw recently.
If I can see it clearly enough, the dimension is 1 1/8" hub to flange?

Thanks for finding that info.

[Yosemite Sam]

When new, I'm pretty sure all the NF hydros had the metal fan and shroud.

I also believe that the fan was supposed to be even with the back of the shroud

Lew will be along shortly, I'm pretty sure he will know for sure.

[J-Mech]

I don't know what you are talking about "clutch action" on the fan.... How about a pic of the fan.

Don't make this harder than it is.... you should have a fan shroud. If not, you still should see where it bolts in. I'm sure someone can give you a dimension if you still don't know where to put it.

Your original fan probably broke when the driveshaft did.

Yes, the metal fans were a earlier production. There is nothing wrong with a plastic fan. As long as your driveshaft doesn't come apart, it shouldn't ever give you trouble.


Here's a pic for your machine from the parts book. Not too difficult to look up at either cubcadet.com or partstree.com.

127.jpg

[Yosemite Sam]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

I don't know what you are talking about "clutch action" on the fan

The fans were set in a rubber that is mounted in a "hub", you can turn the fan without turning the shaft.

I don't know if they were originally designed to turn or not, pretty sure all of mine do now though.

[drglinski]

The metal fan on a 127 should be housed within a metal shroud that mounts directly behind the tower on top of the tunnel. You should see 4 bolt holes where it mounts.