Fan clearance
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=208775
Printed Date: 25 Jan 2026 at 9:25am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Fan clearance
Posted By: DSeries4
Subject: Fan clearance
Date Posted: 03 Nov 2025 at 3:43pm
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Got the new D15 diesel in the shop to make some repairs over the winter and came across something I have not seen before. The fan is much closer to the radiator shroud on the right side compared to the left. I can easily fit my index finger between the fan blade and shroud on the left side, but can barely fit a pen on the right side. Same goes for the height of the rad - the previous owner put spacers under the mounts to raise it. If they were not there, I suspect the fan would not be able to spin without causing damage. Everything looks original: Perfex brand radiator, 4 blade fan and appears to have the original water pump (brazed on one spot). Would anyone have any insight on this problem?      ------------- '49 G, '54 WD45, '55 CA, '56 WD45D, '57 WD45, '58 D14, '59 D14, '60 D14, '63 D15D, '66 D15II, '66 D21II, '67 D17IV, '67 D17IVD, '67 190XTD, '73 620, '76 185, '77 175, '84 8030, '85 6080 |
Replies:
Posted By: DiyDave
Date Posted: 03 Nov 2025 at 4:00pm
My guess would be someone doctored the radiator and didn't get it right... ------------- Source: Babylon Bee. Sponsored by BRAWNDO, its got what you need! |
Posted By: DSeries4
Date Posted: 03 Nov 2025 at 4:25pm
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The neck might have been worked on at some point, but the rest of the rad doesn't look like its been messed with. ------------- '49 G, '54 WD45, '55 CA, '56 WD45D, '57 WD45, '58 D14, '59 D14, '60 D14, '63 D15D, '66 D15II, '66 D21II, '67 D17IV, '67 D17IVD, '67 190XTD, '73 620, '76 185, '77 175, '84 8030, '85 6080 |
Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 03 Nov 2025 at 5:17pm
| Tractor rolled on its side once. |
Posted By: Skip, W.Pa
Date Posted: 03 Nov 2025 at 7:10pm
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Yes , as the Dr. said it was crashed at some point in it's life. No big deal just repair it as needed. |
Posted By: Acdiesel
Date Posted: 05 Nov 2025 at 11:33am
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I'd have to take a look at mine it may be off set. I assume the roller over was a joke, because the core of that radiator would not be that straight in order to have shifted it that far and be in that nice of shape. ------------- D19 Diesel,D17 Diesel SER.3 2-D14, 2-D15 SER.II WF/NF D15 SER.2 DIESEL D12 SER.I, D10 Ser.II 2-720'S D21 Ser. II Gmc,caterpillar I'm a pharmacist (farm assist) with a PHD (post hole digger) |
Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 05 Nov 2025 at 11:53am
| Didn't say a roll over. Laid on its side lightly. |
Posted By: DSeries4
Date Posted: 05 Nov 2025 at 3:33pm
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Laying on its side is possible but questionable in this case. Seeing that the rad has less clearance on the right side, this would indicate that the tractor would have rolled to the right. However, the sheetmetal and original Nelson muffler are straight as an arrow on the right side (and even on the left). Surely a roll on the side would cause some sheetmetal damage if it was able to dislodge the radiator. Could all of the sheetmetal had been replaced in a rollover or fall on its side? Possibly. But you can see all the paint matches. Furthermore, seeing the creative backyard fixes the previous owner did to the tractor, I am sure he would not have gone through the effort (and expense) to find good original sheet metal for a diesel.   ------------- '49 G, '54 WD45, '55 CA, '56 WD45D, '57 WD45, '58 D14, '59 D14, '60 D14, '63 D15D, '66 D15II, '66 D21II, '67 D17IV, '67 D17IVD, '67 190XTD, '73 620, '76 185, '77 175, '84 8030, '85 6080 |
Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 05 Nov 2025 at 3:41pm
| In the last 60 years, maybe the radiator couldn't be fixed and he settled for a (not so nice) used one?? It is what it is and it didn't leave Milwaukee like that. |
Posted By: Tracy Martin TN
Date Posted: 05 Nov 2025 at 8:22pm
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Like Dr Allis said.Probably had it repaired at a half ass repair shop. That shroud is soldered on. I have seen them soldered crooked and off center. Not many quality oriented guys left. HTH Tracy ------------- No greater gift than healthy grandkids! |
Posted By: DSeries4
Date Posted: 18 Nov 2025 at 2:30pm
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Problem solved! Nothing wrong with the radiator. It's the water
pump! The last person who put it on installed it incorrectly. The
bottom brace was secured to the wrong timing cover bolt, throwing off
its location which caused the fan shaft to move up and to the right.
Who would have guessed? I had to tear apart the front end of my other 15 diesel to figure it out, but it was worth it! No major effort required to solve the problem!   Should be...  ------------- '49 G, '54 WD45, '55 CA, '56 WD45D, '57 WD45, '58 D14, '59 D14, '60 D14, '63 D15D, '66 D15II, '66 D21II, '67 D17IV, '67 D17IVD, '67 190XTD, '73 620, '76 185, '77 175, '84 8030, '85 6080 |
Posted By: ACinSC
Date Posted: 18 Nov 2025 at 4:37pm
| Good job 👍 |
Posted By: Ed (Ont)
Date Posted: 18 Nov 2025 at 7:52pm
Wow!! Who would have thought that! A fair bit of work but well worth to find the problem. 
Most people would not have a twin nearby to compare. Lol.
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Posted By: IBWD MIke
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2025 at 5:57am
| It's always good to have a 'reference tractor' close at hand when working on these old girls! Helped me many a time. Also a good reason to own at least 2 of any model. |
Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2025 at 6:32am
| Liked: "Also a good reason to own at least TWO of EVERY model"............ |
Posted By: Mikez
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2025 at 7:46am
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Interesting find. So without the shimming of the radiator on the one side would fan hit. That must have drove that guy crazy at that time.
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Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2025 at 7:55am
| Interesting, how to replace the leaking water pump, (I think) one would have to remove the radiator and grille shell to gain access to the water pump. So, after water pump replacement and upon reassembly of the radiator and grille shell, it doesn't fit the circle of the fan. The fix is to shim the radiator?? which used to be centered perfectly on the old water pump ?? Yeah. I guess that makes sense. Hope the tech went on to work at a Deere dealership. |
Posted By: DSeries4
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2025 at 3:42pm
Fortunately the guy didn't try running it. The radiator could not even sit on the casting because the shroud would sit on the fan. ------------- '49 G, '54 WD45, '55 CA, '56 WD45D, '57 WD45, '58 D14, '59 D14, '60 D14, '63 D15D, '66 D15II, '66 D21II, '67 D17IV, '67 D17IVD, '67 190XTD, '73 620, '76 185, '77 175, '84 8030, '85 6080 |
Mikez wrote:Posted By: DSeries4
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2025 at 3:44pm
Pretty sure it was the owner that did it. I don't think he was the type of guy to pay anyone to do the work for him. ------------- '49 G, '54 WD45, '55 CA, '56 WD45D, '57 WD45, '58 D14, '59 D14, '60 D14, '63 D15D, '66 D15II, '66 D21II, '67 D17IV, '67 D17IVD, '67 190XTD, '73 620, '76 185, '77 175, '84 8030, '85 6080 |