'65 396 L-78 Fan Blade Info Request

[Mike B.]

Good Evening Guys,

I've been reading a lot of old posts and came across one that we'd discussed (way back) about the proper fan blade for '66 and '67 big block engines. It was determined that fan blade #3888366 was correct with or without AC. Lots of closeup shots of the blades and their stamps "H", "FRONT", "66", and "W". Great info that really helped me.

But I have an earlier '66 427 car with what could've had an installed leftover 396 fan blade. Pretty sure it's original to the car. My car falls into that anomaly of a long lull between the engine cast date and the assembly date.

All this aside, I didn't see any actual photos of '65 396 fan blades on any of the old posts about #3872792 blades. Could anyone that has photos of this unique blade post them? Pitch, rivets, stampings, dimensions etc....Any and all would be much appreciated!

I'd really like to compare my blade against true 396 originals.

Take care, Mike

[Mike B.]

Re: '65 396 L-78 Fan Blade Info Request

My Blade. Mike

[Mike B.]

Re: '65 396 L-78 Fan Blade Info Request

A few more shots of my blade. Thanks, Mike

[Mike B.]

Re: '65 396 L-78 Fan Blade Info Request

Forgot to mention these facts about this blade.

-17" inches outer diameter.
-Front 4 hole plate has only "Front" and "H" stamps. No "66" stamp.
-Back of blade has no "W" stamp on any spoke
-Flat radial circles on front rivets
-Recessed flat rivets on rear

Unfortunately, I'm away on business and I don't have a blade pitch measurement. But there is a side shot of the blade showing pitch.

Hope to hear from the experts. I've always wondered if this is a real 3872792 fan blade.

Thanks guys, Mike

[David L.]

Re: '65 396 L-78 Fan Blade Info Request

Mike,

I have studied and owned many Chevrolet and Corvette fans over the years but I have never owned a 3872792 fan. However, my friend "Logic" tells me that the 3872792 fan is very similar to the 3888366 fan (stamped "66"). I have owned at least a half dozen 3888366 fans over the years. Here is what I have from my notes:

3888366: (66-67 Corvette 427, 68-70 Corvette)
5 blades
5 rivets per blade
17.50" dia.
5.93" blade length
4.00" blade width
2 1/4" pitch
3" bolt circle

3872792 fan (65 Corvette 396)
5 blades
5 rivets per blade
17" dia.
5.68" blade length
4.00" blade width
2 1/4" pitch
3" bolt circle

Both fans were made by Hayes-Albion.

Since each blade is 0.25" longer on a 3888366 fan then the fan diameter would be 0.50" larger resulting in slightly more air flow. If your fan is 17" in dia. and the pitch measures 2 1/4" then I would say that you have a 3872792 fan.

Dave

[Mike B.]

Re: '65 396 L-78 Fan Blade Info Request

Thanks for the reply David,

Excellent info! I'll check the blade's dimensions when I get home. I'm especially interested in the pitch measurement which wasn't listed on the diagram above.

Had an old friend call last night who saw my photos and said he has this exact same blade. Looking forward to comparing them side by side.

Take care, Mike

[James W.]

Re: '65 396 L-78 Fan Blade Info Request

Mike,

I've attached some pictures of the fan blade off of a late production 1965 Corvette equipped with a 396, VIN 2216xx. The car went through all levels of flight judging on 2014 with no deductions for this fan blade. Hope these help.

James

[Mike B.]

Re: '65 396 L-78 Fan Blade Info Request

Hello James, Thanks for the shots of your 396 Fan. I think our fans are the same. There's only one difference that I can see from your photos. My fan has "FRONT" and "H" stamped on the front. See my pics above. No other markings anywhere else on the part.

I see your fan has the "H" stamp but I don't see any other marks. Do you recall any other markings on your fan?

Thanks again for the great photos! Mike

[James W.]

Re: '65 396 L-78 Fan Blade Info Request

Mike,

There are no other letters or numbers on fan besides the H.

James

[Tom D.]

Re: '65 396 L-78 Fan Blade Info Request

For what it is worth, here are photos of the rivets on a Paragon REPRODUCTION 396 fan. (Check the photo names - The "back side" or "engine side" should be photo number 2.)

[Mike B.]

Re: '65 396 L-78 Fan Blade Info Request

Thanks Tom,

Wow. Pretty close to the fan in question (pics above in my post #2 & #3). That blade was on my '66 when I bought her in Aug '88. Normally repro stuff is way off!

Thanks, Mike

[Loren L.]

Re: '65 396 L-78 Fan Blade Info Request

FWIW, the Oct 1, 1967 Pts Bk in Gr,1.064 lists "65 Corvette w/Sp. H/Per (396)" all by itself at 17" dia 5 blades #3872792 and @ $7.85.

[Mike B.]

Re: '65 396 L-78 Fan Blade Info Request

SOLD!!!

[Andy C.]

Re: '65 396 L-78 Fan Blade Info Request

Mike,

I have 2-396 cars, both have the same fan with a "W" only and measure 17" with a 2-1/4" pitch. One is a June car and the Other is July. I did have a 66 that had a Fan like yours.

Thanks
Andy

[Mike B.]

Re: '65 396 L-78 Fan Blade Info Request

Thanks Andy!

Was your '66 a 425hp or a 390hp car? Any old file shots of it's fan?

A non-related question here. Do either of your 396's valve covers have "clover" head mark bolts/screws?

Mike