cooling fans

[chromosome17]

Sorry if this has been asked before but search is down again and just spent 3 hours trying without luck.

Found out on rolling road a Growl one fan was jammed, np I thought, I'll pop out fix and replace, it's only 4 bolts!!! oh how wrong I was. Removed coolant pipes, drained coolant, removed 2 shroud top bolts and 1 bottom but can get at the other and if I could the bottom 90 deg pipe stops it comming out. If only the nuts on the inside of shroud were fixed solid it would be a 2 second job rahter than 2 day!

Anyone have any tips please?

No such thing as a five min job!

[Colin RedGriff]

I've not tried to remove the fans with the rad still in the car, not sure that it can be.

[BliarOut]

From memory!

Loosen the rad but don't take it out then you can remove both the lower retaining bolts with an open ended spanner.

[chromosome17]

Cheers guys, lol then step 1245 once engine is out lift out fans, nearly ran out of swear words this morning

[chromosome17]

Yeah not a bad idea Quinny, they are in a bad spot and require you to be super supple and and have 3 hands!

Got it out, lost the bolts at the moment behind the rad and bodywork but will sort it out.

Was going to repair the fan but it's shot to hell, the brushes are gone and the plastic plate that holds them melted out of shape. Been trying to get a new one but no joy at all, TVR Power don't have one, Tried Auto Air and they can get one for £175 !! in 4 weeks, ebay google and local auto store all turned up nothing, anyone know alternative part to spal VA10-AP6-47A please? as usual put TVR anywhere near a part and it magically tripples in price!

[BliarOut]

Any use?

http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinest...

[chromosome17]

Cheers blairout,

Thats just it, don't know. Most fans seem to run fair bit slower/shift less air than original spec of the spal:-
width 305 mm height 86 mm airflow 2600 m3/hr current 18.7 Amps direction - Suction

Don't want to fit one thats not up to the job.

[FlipFlopGriff]

I think this is the original part number which has been superseded. I'll have a look tonight at the ref and also try and dig out the invoice to see who we got it off. Done a search but no names seem familiar. From memory it was about £125 + VAT, and about £20+ cheaper than from the SPAL agent.
FFG

[Gnasher]

Hi Ian,

My 4.3 blew a fan on the way to Classic Le Mans, & when I got back I rang Spal.

They told me that my original (1992) fan had been superceded & the equivalent was a VA10-AP9/C-25A, 305mm suction, and costs £72.72 + £11.00 carr + VAT (£98.38).
The one they sent me was the last one they had until September, I know because I wanted 2 on the basis that if 1 had gone after 18 years the other might not be far behind.

BTW did you use the wheel?

Regards
SteveD

[MisterT]

I dont know if the fan ratings differ between the smaller engine griffs and the 500 but the Spal VA10-AP9/C=25A 'only' shifts 1460m3/hr of air whereas the original 500 fans shift 2600m3/hr.
Radtec supplied me with VA10-AP70/LL47A which if I remember shift 2300m3/hr which is nearer the original spec. This was a year or two ago so I dont know if these are still available?

I found this webpage in my favourites which list some Spal fan ratings hope it is of some use.
http://www.feredaycars.co.uk/everything%20else/spa...

[FlipFlopGriff]

My replacement was a VA10-AP70/LL-47A so this would seem to be the correct replacement fitting. Replaced in late 2006. Still can't find the invoice so not sure where I got it from? I did write down what all the numbers and letters meant but guess they are with the invoice.
FFG

[chromosome17]

Cheers guys, thanks for taking time to find that info, should be able to get one with the other part no. Only needs to be close, fingers crossed.

Hi Steve, yeah thought about you when my fan went, I did use the wheel yes. Got me to the growl and back, though my hub or stub axle is bent as it wobled like mad on rr. Thanks again for the loan.

[Wildfire]

MisterT said:

I dont know if the fan ratings differ between the smaller engine griffs and the 500 but the Spal VA10-AP9/C=25A 'only' shifts 1460m3/hr of air whereas the original 500 fans shift 2600m3/hr.
Radtec supplied me with VA10-AP70/LL47A which if I remember shift 2300m3/hr which is nearer the original spec. This was a year or two ago so I dont know if these are still available?

I found this webpage in my favourites which list some Spal fan ratings hope it is of some use.
http://www.feredaycars.co.uk/everything%20else/spa...

Hmmmmm... interesting....

Looking at 450Nick's Chim, his fans have curved blades, where as mine have straight blades. Unfortunately my serial numbers have worn off.

[David H]

FlipFlopGriff said:

I think this is the original part number which has been superseded. I'll have a look tonight at the ref and also try and dig out the invoice to see who we got it off. Done a search but no names seem familiar. From memory it was about £125 + VAT, and about £20+ cheaper than from the SPAL agent.
FFG

Was it these people:

http://www.racetechdirect.co.uk/tvr-car-parts-subs...

[chromosome17]

Thanks guys, sorted. for info, anyone needing one it is VA10-AP70/LL-47A and like you said these guys are cheapest by far, most quote £175.
http://www.racetechdirect.co.uk/tvr-car-parts-deta...

[neutral 3]

ANY IDEAS ? My cooling fans are permanantly running, ie turn on the Ign and they run, which is a joke, costing me loads in warm up time , fuel, and starting power .

any idea what has been done and how do i set them to just cut in when needed ?

[RichB]

Could be a faulty otter switch, I've had one go intermittently permanently on rather than what you'd expect when they break.

[Barreti]

Neutral3
You don't have an override anywhere under the dash that you've knocked with your knee do you?
Try the dash light switch, that is sometimes re-used as a fan override.

Edited by Barreti on Wednesday 11th August 12:40

[Mark_S_24]

Neutral 3: Some people have also converted the "Rear Wash" on the right hand stalk to be the fan override too, so check that isn't pushed forward.

Mark S

[neutral 3]

Hi Guys, thanks for the advise, dont think ? its either of those, think previous owner had them wired up ? to be on all the time. Gould knows why

The wireing to the fans doesnt look orig, it has a dial for adjusting the temp that the fans should cut in, but turning this makes no difference.
would put a pic on here but ime in london at mo and griffs in essex .