Electric cooling fans
Discussion
There are a few on the market, but i have heard contradicting stories as to there usefulness. The main criticism seems to be the restriction of airflow they cause across the radiator under normal driving, but not having experienced one on a classic i'm not in a position to comment. The problem i have is in the Healey in slow or stationary traffic, or,more importantly, waiting at time controls on rallies. The temperature really starts to climb, sometimes alarmingly so, especially in hotter climes, so an electric fan that can be switched on and off to order would seem to be a logical answer. The cooling system of the car is in excellent working order, it just doesn't like hanging around (rather like the owner!)
What are other peoples experiences and recommendations?
What are other peoples experiences and recommendations?
I only have an electric cooling fan on my XK140 special as I did on my previous XK120. It never overheats and can sit in summer continental traffic indefinitely.
Engine driven fans are at their least effective when they're most needed, i.e. when the car is stationary or slow moving. They absorb horsepower all the time and are generally quite inefficient.
A well installed electric fan is superior in every respect to an engine driven one. An additional advantage is that you can leave the fan running for a minute or two after the engine has been stopped. This helps to alleviate the "heat soak" that some classic cars suffer from after they've been switched off and can lead to boiling over.
Engine driven fans are at their least effective when they're most needed, i.e. when the car is stationary or slow moving. They absorb horsepower all the time and are generally quite inefficient.
A well installed electric fan is superior in every respect to an engine driven one. An additional advantage is that you can leave the fan running for a minute or two after the engine has been stopped. This helps to alleviate the "heat soak" that some classic cars suffer from after they've been switched off and can lead to boiling over.
I had a 100/4 for a while, it suffered from overheating in traffic fairy quickly and wasn't terribly good at hot starts, which made any kind of queue a bit stressful. It ran a big end so I rebuilt the engine, while in bits I pulled the core plugs and had the block on end and hosed out the water jacket, a mass of rusty crud and I think some casting sand came out, I was amazed at the amount of crud.
Why do I mention this? After the rebuild it ran on average 10 degrees cooler at all times and was hugely better in traffic.
Just a thought.
Why do I mention this? After the rebuild it ran on average 10 degrees cooler at all times and was hugely better in traffic.
Just a thought.
I have a Kenlowe on my Lotus, caught in traffic once too often with no fan at all! It's worked very well and has kept the car cool in long queues of traffic, including leaving Goodwood. There is a word of caution I have been given; if the "ties" that go through the radiator core are not tight enough the vibration and movement can cut through the core after a period of time. A top tip I was given, after I installed mine, was to put plastic sleeves around the ties which remain stationary and the ties vibrate inside without damaging the core.
Hope that helps
Jon Adams
Hope that helps
Jon Adams
I've a Kenlowe on my Jag too.
The fastening method appears a bit "Heath Robinson" but mine's been working well for more than ten years, so if it's correctly tensioned it seems to be fine.
I'll be fitting a different brand to my next project, a Revotech. These are tailored for individual models and they do one for the AH.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/111562335440?lpid=1...
I would certainly remove the engine driven fan, it serves no purpose aside from robbing horsepower and using more fuel.
The fastening method appears a bit "Heath Robinson" but mine's been working well for more than ten years, so if it's correctly tensioned it seems to be fine.
I'll be fitting a different brand to my next project, a Revotech. These are tailored for individual models and they do one for the AH.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/111562335440?lpid=1...
I would certainly remove the engine driven fan, it serves no purpose aside from robbing horsepower and using more fuel.
There's another way.
My Hawk stratos replica had an overheating problem. My driving enjoyment was always tempered by concerns about overheating. Half an eye was trained on the water tempwrature guage at all times.
I solved the problem by replacing the water/coolant with Evans waterless coolant. I saw it being used in an old episode of Wheeler Dealers. I suggest that you check it out
My Hawk stratos replica had an overheating problem. My driving enjoyment was always tempered by concerns about overheating. Half an eye was trained on the water tempwrature guage at all times.
I solved the problem by replacing the water/coolant with Evans waterless coolant. I saw it being used in an old episode of Wheeler Dealers. I suggest that you check it out
Russwhitehouse said:
Can i ask why you are changing from Kenlowe to Revotec mph?
The only reason is because I think the fitment is more in keeping with the car, having custom made brackets rather than cable ties. I've never had a problem with the Kenlowe and I know dozens of people who have them fitted.Regarding Evans Waterless Coolant. If a car overheats with water, it will also overheat with waterless coolant. In fact waterless coolant is a less efficient cooling medium than water so your engine will actually run hotter if your cooling system is marginal. The only difference being the waterless coolant won't "boil over".
Rubin215 said:
S'funny, but I've never considered an electric fan for my old beetle.
Or fancy waterless coolant!
I'm still using the original fan and coolant that came with the car direct from from the factory...
I'm sure the coolant must've been changed a few times over the years, though...Or fancy waterless coolant!
I'm still using the original fan and coolant that came with the car direct from from the factory...
There really are no downsides to an electric fan, compared to an engine-driven one. There may be downsides to a badly-fitted electric fan, but...
Electric fans are great .
Please do all the other maintenance to the cooling system .
Drain and flush the system until the water runs clear ,check the hoses .
It is not unknown for the old canvas style hoses to collapse when the engine is running slowly and hot .
Have a look at the water pump as well many lose efficiency due to the impeller blades becoming worn ,look to uprate if possible ,in extreme cases some people will fit an electronic pump .
Please do all the other maintenance to the cooling system .
Drain and flush the system until the water runs clear ,check the hoses .
It is not unknown for the old canvas style hoses to collapse when the engine is running slowly and hot .
Have a look at the water pump as well many lose efficiency due to the impeller blades becoming worn ,look to uprate if possible ,in extreme cases some people will fit an electronic pump .
As i mentioned in my original post, the cooling system itself is fine. The water pump is an uprated Denis Welch competition item, all the hoses are relatively new, the rad was replaced with new in 2014 and i use Motul Inugel premix coolant. All the waterways were flushed and thoroughly cleaned at the end of last year during a partial engine rebuild. The car suffers no cooling problems other than when stationary for any length of time simply due to lack of air flow over the rad. An electric fan is a no brainer, it's just which one to choose?
TooMany2cvs said:
Rubin215 said:
S'funny, but I've never considered an electric fan for my old beetle.
Or fancy waterless coolant!
I'm still using the original fan and coolant that came with the car direct from from the factory...
I'm sure the coolant must've been changed a few times over the years, though...Or fancy waterless coolant!
I'm still using the original fan and coolant that came with the car direct from from the factory...
There really are no downsides to an electric fan, compared to an engine-driven one. There may be downsides to a badly-fitted electric fan, but...
J
Looks like Kenlowe have one for the Healey too. I'd suggest giving them a call, they were very helpful when I spoke to them:
http://www.kenlowe.com/CoolingRetrofit.php#kits
http://www.kenlowe.com/CoolingRetrofit.php#kits
I have a fan from a Honda cooling my Lotus engine. Wired through a relay and a 86 deg switch mounted in the top rad hose.
It's a pusher so mounted on the front of the rad, invisible unless I take the front bodywork off. Just comes on if its needed.
However, for those owners who like to keep things original, or at least looking original, the other option is to fit a cowl.
Often engine driven fans are quite a way back from the rad so most of the sucking effect of the blade is lost.
A cowl will remedy this.
I made one as a bit of a favour for a chap once. That's how I saw it anyway. I think he saw it as highway robbery, as when his
car was made people worked for half a crown an hour, and so that figure should still apply.
Paul G
It's a pusher so mounted on the front of the rad, invisible unless I take the front bodywork off. Just comes on if its needed.
However, for those owners who like to keep things original, or at least looking original, the other option is to fit a cowl.
Often engine driven fans are quite a way back from the rad so most of the sucking effect of the blade is lost.
A cowl will remedy this.
I made one as a bit of a favour for a chap once. That's how I saw it anyway. I think he saw it as highway robbery, as when his
car was made people worked for half a crown an hour, and so that figure should still apply.
Paul G
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