Fan welding/balancing: buy aftermarket or have existing fan done?

[bugnut68]

What's the verdict on aftermarket welded and balanced doghouse fans?  Should I have mine done or buy a fan already done for me?  Just want the best quality I can get, so if the difference in price between labor to have my fan (bought new for my last 1776 engine, Brazilian doghouse fan, I believe) welded and balanced and buying one already done is minimal, I will take that into account.  Just looking for advice, as I am shoring up what needs to be done for my new 2017 that I'm working on. 

[Zach Gomulka]

Berg. Hopefully they still carry them.

[bugnut68]

Berg. Hopefully they still carry them.

I think the web site says they charge $90 to do the labor... I figure I may as well have my existing fan set up and done, no sense in letting it set around.

[stealth67vw]

I use a Bugpack. They start with a new VW Brazil fan. I bought it from Dom Luppino at Sac a few years ago for less than Berg charges to weld your old fan.

[Jesus]

http://www.vwoneonone.co.uk/

£75

cheers alex

[Vince W.]

Talk to Racin Jason. He did one for me. I think it was 75 bucks. Nice work.

http://www.jseracing.com/

[Torben Alstrup]

Well, I hate to admit it, but the Berg version is one of the few that actally are in proper condition. I have seen (bought) new welded fans from several other vendors, and they grow in the housing. None have exploded yet, butits not comforting when they grov at rpms below 7200 rpm.
ACN used to make them (right), but stopped due to the price pressure from overseas imported (that doesnt hold)

So, yes, if you know a good tig man AND can get it balanced afterwards, that´s the ticket.
T

[BeetleBug]

I have to agree with Torben.

I do believe that Scat have improved the quality on their fans, worth checking.

Best rgs
BB

[Jim Ratto]

Bugpack in my car for last 19,000 miles.

[bugnut68]

Cool, thanks for all the input!  Very useful information, will now have a good direction in which to proceed.

[bugnut68]

Just wanted to verify one thing on the Bugpack fan: on another forum, someone claimed that the Bugpack fan is only welded on half of the tabs?  It doesnt' appear to be the case when I visited Bugpack's web site, so I'm wondering if it was done this way in the past or if the person making the claims is full of toilet gravy?

[stealth67vw]

Yes, only welded on opposing tabs just like it says on the Bugpack web website. There are 4 tabs on each blade and only 2 are welded at opposing corners.



http://www.bugpack.com/content.php?id=231

[Bruce]

I've always wondered why they only do half the job.

[TexasTom]

We replace them all the time at the shop on daily driver (mostly stock) cars.
I always recommend just spending the money and putting a Berg unit on, simply because the new fans available are such junk to begin with; poor quality assemblies and poor fit.
Cheap insurance.

[Zach Gomulka]

Yep, I'd get a Berg!

[DKK Ted]

Hey Ryan, Call Tim at Berg's to see if they have any, they might. If you have a good German one or just a good one, they can do your, they should. Rich is there and is the guy that does the balancing. He's very good. Welding, I'm not sure of. But a call won't hurt. But my vote is also BERG. Hands down!


Ted

[bugnut68]

Hey Ryan, Call Tim at Berg's to see if they have any, they might. If you have a good German one or just a good one, they can do your, they should. Rich is there and is the guy that does the balancing. He's very good. Welding, I'm not sure of. But a call won't hurt. But my vote is also BERG. Hands down!


Ted

I remember when I was there eight years ago Donny did the welding on the tabs... I vividly recall sandblasting the cores down before the went in and welded the tabs   I remember Rich, also!  Will give them a call. 

[DKK Ted]

Here's a thought, if they cannot do it anymore cause of the welding, Donny now work at ACE with Art, maybe he can do the welding there, then send it to Bergs to have Rich balance it. 

Ted

[bugnut68]

Here's a thought, if they cannot do it anymore cause of the welding, Donny now work at ACE with Art, maybe he can do the welding there, then send it to Bergs to have Rich balance it. 

Ted

They still have the labor listed on their website, but I'll check in with them anyways!  Not quite to that point in the engine build, but it's always good to have the information available.

[Dominick Luppino]

I've had the same BUGPACK fan in my Unlimited Street car for the last 10 years shifting at 8000rpm, there has never been any problems with it!

[BeetleBug]

I've had the same BUGPACK fan in my Unlimited Street car for the last 10 years shifting at 8000rpm, there has never been any problems with it!

Have you tried to take it out from the house?

I have used both Scat and Bugpack and neither of them exploded but both of them expanded so much that they I had to spend hours to get them out. I did not notice anything before (no sounds or vibration) I noticed that my head and oil temp started to increase.

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[Dominick Luppino]

I've had the same BUGPACK fan in my Unlimited Street car for the last 10 years shifting at 8000rpm, there has never been any problems with it!

Have you tried to take it out from the house?

I have used both Scat and Bugpack and neither of them exploded but both of them expanded so much that they I had to spend hours to get them out. I did not notice anything before (no sounds or vibration) I noticed that my head and oil temp started to increase.

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Yes, just recently, looked great.

[bugnut68]

I've had the same BUGPACK fan in my Unlimited Street car for the last 10 years shifting at 8000rpm, there has never been any problems with it!

Have you tried to take it out from the house?

I have used both Scat and Bugpack and neither of them exploded but both of them expanded so much that they I had to spend hours to get them out. I did not notice anything before (no sounds or vibration) I noticed that my head and oil temp started to increase.

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BB

How recently did you purchase this fan/these fans?

What's the verdict on the OEM VW welded and balanced fans, like what's being sold through www.cip1.com?

[BeetleBug]

I bought the fans 2 years ago and used both last season. I took my old engine up to 8200 rpms (original size pulleys) but I personally do not think it is the high revs that is the problem. Mind you that Scat immediately gave me a new fan from their new supplier but I did not risk using it and bought a new one from Berg. So far my Berg is as good as new.

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[bugnut68]

It appears having the Bergs weld my fan is among the top options, I do still have a request for reviews on the factory welded and balanced fans advertised through some outlets?  I noticed it was interesting that VWParts.net advertises them for $100, while Kustom1 carries the same item for about $60... just curious if anyone has experience with those.

Dom, why does Bugpack only welded half the tabs?  Is there any specific reason?  I'm still considering the Bugpack fan, as well.  Thanks all for any additional info!

[neil68]

Another Berg welded fan here, 6+ years, over 200 passes on 1/4-mile plus over 3,000 miles street driving. Swapped generators and the fan still looks perfect...I would recommend just getting the Berg fan, or else send them your fan for welding/balancing.