cooling fan

[gingerclive]

Anyone know what the fan was off origionally on the 350i? mines about to expire & I was wondering where the original came from.

[Mr Tank]

Hi

Have you one or two fans! Early 350 had twin 12" fans! But I believe later cars had a larger single one fitted.

Andy

[gingerclive]

Hi Andy its the later large single one.

Clive

[Wedg1e]

Think it was something of Australian manufacture...

[jmorgan]

Seem to remember it being from down under when I tried to find out about mine, the name on mine was on the casing of the motor.

Went down the dual fan route before you ask where I got a replacement. Annoyingly the bearing that went on mine looks replaceable if you could get a puller on it.

[blueone]

Just replaced mine with a fan from car builders. Had to modify the mounting (cut it down and drilled new holes).

Before you ask the only way to get the old one out and the new one in is to remove the bonnet

[islander]

Davis Craig were the original manufacturer, and they do appear to be from Down under. Because of the cowl around the fan itself, the original fan is quite a small diameter, when you remove the assembly you will find you can fit a much larger modern fan into the same hole in the cowl attached to the radiator and get a much improved air flow! Modern fans are also much thinner than the old one so it is possible to get a new one to fit, without clashing with the bonnet when it is up! I was offered a spal fan by a local motor factors which would have done the job perfectly, but I went for a new Davis Craig fan based on higher air flow, but still had to slightly modify if to clear the bonnet.

[redweapon]

Used a SPAL 12" as recommended on PH, Just been round south of France in 35+ temp, no problems with the cooling, did change the fan switch to one that has a range of 87-93 also. See pic.

[blueone]

used one of these http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/14-inch-fan14-761-p.asp no bonnet modification necessary

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

Have bought Spal fans, and non Spal over the last few, Years, I'd never buy a non Spal one again.

[Mr Tank]

Hi

David Graig fans are available on e-bay! I got one to use in front of my rad for use when the cars in slow traffic etc, to help with air flow.

Andy

[Brap_Brap]

Mr Tank said:

Hi

David Graig fans are available on e-bay! I got one to use in front of my rad for use when the cars in slow traffic etc, to help with air flow.

Andy

I haven't bought a replacement for the wedge yet, but when I did convert my mazda to an electric fan it came preassembled as a pusher type, although you can flip over the blades and make it a puller type. I left mine a pusher. It makes no sense whatsoever to pull heat over your fan motor as that will only shorten its life. It doesn't feel like it moves as much air in the front of the rad, but I've had no cooling issues whatsoever. When I replace the fan in the wedge, it will be in the front of the rad.

[gingerclive]

thanks folks. off to e-bay now !!

[350Matt]

Get yourself down to the breakers yard you can get a decent 12" fan from loads of things these days complete with shroud and mounting brackets for about £15

[PR350]

islander said:

Davis Craig were the original manufacturer, and they do appear to be from Down under. Because of the cowl around the fan itself, the original fan is quite a small diameter, when you remove the assembly you will find you can fit a much larger modern fan into the same hole in the cowl attached to the radiator and get a much improved air flow! Modern fans are also much thinner than the old one so it is possible to get a new one to fit, without clashing with the bonnet when it is up! I was offered a spal fan by a local motor factors which would have done the job perfectly, but I went for a new Davis Craig fan based on higher air flow, but still had to slightly modify if to clear the bonnet.

And yet we didn't when we fitted mine did we?

BTW - bluddy hell it lives!!! Have you got any of my messages? I'm kinda thinking you've been avoiding me.........

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

gingerclive said:

thanks folks. off to e-bay now !!

As said I've had 2 of the cheaper fans from Ebay, that have failed. after only a few hours use, mainly due to brushes not fitted correctly, and poor design. 1st one was replaced 2nd one I fixed. on the racer they are easy to reach / fix / replace, so not a problem, but would not be happy on a road car.

So If I had to buy again I'd pay a little extra and get REAL spall ones, not had any problem with these on the 400SE.

[adam quantrill]

I suppose you could run it on the bench for a few hours to get over the infant mortality phase...

[redweapon]

As its a bh of a job to do properly get a SPAL fan and do it just the once ! Anything else is a false economy you regret later.

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

redweapon said:

As its a bh of a job to do properly get a SPAL fan and do it just the once ! Anything else is a false economy you regret later.

Glad someone agree's