Six blade, stock type fans are readily available aftermarket. The TBird vendors sell them, I imagine guys like Carpenter, Macs have them

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

John:  I thought of that after I posted my question.  Do you have any idea what car the 6-blade fan on my '56 might have come off of?  It fits perfectly and appears to be the correct size for my stock '56 radiator.

Ron

My 56 also had a 4 blade, as have all I have seen. As for which would move more air a 5 or 6 it would depend on blade area as well as the pitch of the blades. Mike

1956 Fairlane Victoria (ORREO)

 

Overlooking Beautiful Rimrock AZ

Ron:

I think someone has installed the 6 blade on your car.  All the '56s I've owned and seen had 4 blades.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

I read recently that Ford installed a 5-blade fan on all their 1956 models cars that came from the factory with a/c.  I assumed that was probably one blade more than the non-a/c cars for extra cooling.  But when I looked under the hood of my 1956 Club Sedan with factory 312 and no factory a/c, I count 6 blades.  That raises the question of whether the odd configuration of the 5-blade fan (they have a turn-up on the ends) actually moves more air than the 6 blade fans on the non a/c cars?  I'm curious because I'd like to pull as much air as possible through my radiator, and if the 5-blade does a better job than the 6-blade, I'll start looking around for one.

The other question is whether or not a good-quality day/night rear view mirror is available from any after-market supplier for the '56 Fairlanes.  I've struck out so far trying to find one.  Thanks, Ron