Where does squirrel black cone go

richardkillmon · April 22, 2026, 01:46:16 PM

Hello to anyone,

I'm trying to get parts before I dismantle cooling fan system. I have the three oil seals.

I've tried to see a diagram or picture of the system. I been told that the black cone is usually damaged and needs repair or replacement.

I have a MCI parts book and service book but there are no pictures of the squirrel cage assembly.

Does anyone have a better picture or diagram or parts numbers.
And where to get them.
On the picture below -- Is the cone missing? Does it belong where the little slot of sunlight is?You cannot view this attachment.

lovetofix · April 22, 2026, 03:54:54 PM

This is the cone marked with red, you can see it is broken and worn off. It should be almost touching the edge of the fan.

lovetofix · April 22, 2026, 03:58:50 PM

Here is a picture of a good one from the outside.

Dave5Cs · April 23, 2026, 12:41:57 PM

Ok Richard in your last picture next to the fan that is inside that thing that looks like it is bent in a little and goes all the way around the opening and is about 2 inches and has been painted it looks like is what they call the air cone because it seals around the two fans. Should be one at each side. it keeps the air from going around the fans. If not painted like yours it would be black and 12 to 14 inches across as I remember. You need to take the whole unit out as one with the fans attached until you get it out. Yours cones look ok but be careful when handling them they get brittle over time and with the heat in there. HTH

PS you will need to take the fans off with an impact inside them there is one bolt there to get the seals in.

richardkillmon · April 23, 2026, 04:51:03 PM

You guys are great

Thank you

richardkillmon · April 23, 2026, 05:08:31 PM

Does anyone have a parts number of this air cone?
Thanks
You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.

Dave5Cs · April 24, 2026, 10:39:30 AM

uscoach@att.net
Luke B in Vineland, NJ

Last I heard he was the only one that had them but then someone else tried and said he was out of them?
I don't have the numbers but he would. Don't know if anyone else has any and some guys have said they made them somehow?

richardkillmon · April 24, 2026, 01:38:58 PM

Dave,

thanks again.

I called Lucas and he has been out of those parts for years.

He said some people make new ones out of metal.

I trying to find used buses that have them.
Any other part shops?

freds · April 24, 2026, 03:46:44 PM

Maybe they could be 3D printed with a nylon filament. Do you have two intact parts, like the other side is functional?

luvrbus · April 25, 2026, 06:35:30 AM

Quote from: richardkillmon on April 24, 2026, 01:38:58 PMDave,

thanks again.

I called Lucas and he has been out of those parts for years.

He said some people make new ones out of metal.

I trying to find used buses that have them.
Any other part shops?

People are coating the old cones and the housing that hold the cones with fiberglass any fiber glassing outfit for boats can make those look new, if you know how to fiber glass ( it is nasty) you can do it your self, I have a MCI 9 here that has the fiberglass cones he had made, I can see where a shop with a fiberglass chopper gun it would be an easy job, that being the smaller blower fans they could be hard to find used

richardkillmon · April 25, 2026, 07:47:30 AM

Hello,

I haven't dismantled the units yet.
I trying to get parts before I tear it a part.
In the past, the longest time is spent waiting for the right part.
I will be working at my friend's shop and don't want to abuse my stay.
The fiberglass sounds like the best option so far.
I would like to get a part number or find a used air cone.
When I start working on it and find I don't need them I can forward the part to someone who does.

again, thanks for the ideas and help. You guys are the best.

luvrbus · April 25, 2026, 08:04:34 AM

Quote from: richardkillmon on April 25, 2026, 07:47:30 AMHello,

I haven't dismantled the units yet.
I trying to get parts before I tear it a part.
In the past, the longest time is spent waiting for the right part.
I will be working at my friend's shop and don't want to abuse my stay.
The fiberglass sounds like the best option so far.
I would like to get a part number or find a used air cone.
When I start working on it and find I don't need them I can forward the part to someone who does.

again, thanks for the ideas and help. You guys are the best.

You could try Sam (Caylor Supply) in Rantoul KS @ 785-878-3405 it is a little old for Sam, but you never know what he has buried in his stock, Sam is the go-to guy for MCI parts and information, he can probably give you the parts numbers for those off the top of his head ,if haven't tried him already

richardkillmon · April 26, 2026, 04:46:09 AM

thank you

dtcerrato · April 26, 2026, 08:08:19 AM

I would be inclined to replace the rubber boots with a similar shaped metal ring.
Running without the cones would be similar to not having a fan shroud on a radiator.