Installing a Texas Cooler

[ynotme2]

Everyone,

I recently bought I texas cooler for the BJ*. I read the simpole instructions and it talked about leaning the radiator back and installing. The piece that confusded me is that it said to make sure there was enough clearance between the radiator and the fan. Can anyone give me the proper spacing between the 2? Does the fan flex that much that I have to worry about it?

Thanks

 

[stevebn2bj7]

Coincidentaly, I just put one on my BJ7 this morning. THe reason you need to lean the radiator forward is so that you can get a ratchet onto the bolts to tighten it. Once the fan is installed just put the radiator back where it was. There will be plenty of clearance.

 

[Keoke]

You are correct Steve,However clearances in the cars can vary. For optimum operation of the fan,YNM2, make certain that there is not less than 3/4" clearance between the fan and radiator.--Fwiw--Keoke

 

[Dave Russell]

To add to this debate,

The Texas Cooler fan, or likely any plastic fan, can flex forward a bit during maximum air pumping. The most frequent complaint about this fan is having it contact the radiator. Not all fans flex forward.

The only thing restraining the entire engine/transmission assembly from moving forward during deceleration or hitting the wrong bump, is the so called "tie rod" which goes from the back of the gearbox to the frame cross member. This rod is mounted with four rubber bushings which can get soft or fall apart after the inevitable oil soaking. It's VERY important to radiator life to have these bushings in top condition & the tie rod correctly adjusted. Keoke said 3/4" clearance between the fan & the radiator. I would consider this a minimum to allow for fan forward flex & forward engine movement.
D

 

[Keoke]

Hi Dave, I do not think that the Texas Cooler is subject to excessive flexing or breakage. The fan that garnered that distinction was the Steel Six Bladed Fan carried by Moss Motors.There was a recall issued by Moss for that fan several years ago. That fan flexed so much it introduced fatigue failure in the blades.Additionally, those fans did not move sufficient air to justify their cost.I see they still list them so they must have sorted the problem out.The formerly Haden fan also known as the Texas cooler has not exibited a chronic failure mode to my knowledge and we here in the south west run a bunch of them.Mine have been in stalled for over 15Yrs and no complaints.Regarding the Tie Rod Bush there is an ideal candidate for the polyurethane type.---Fwiw---Keoke

 

[Dave Russell]

Keoke,
I did not say anything about excessive flexing or breakage. I said they flex a bit. I also said nothing about the Moss fan. As long as we are on the subject though, the Hayden six blade metal flex fan sold by British Car Specialists moves considerably more air at low speeds than the TX Cooler, & has had no failures that I know of. The forward flex on the blade leading edges of this fan is zero. I guess you pays your money & takes your choice. In any event, as I stressed earlier, the tie rod & bushings MUST be in good shape to prevent a disaster with any fan.

I realize that the debate about Texas Coolers will likely go on forever & so be it. you TX Cool guys sure are defensive.
D

 

[Keoke]

No we are not defensive Dave, .But if it contacts the radiator it will break.When the metal ones hit the radiator Bye Bye Radiator or as one user experiencd they go right through the bonnet. When Moss recalled their six bladed fan they offered a metal SS bladed flex fan in exchange.I do not know what Knock is selling it might be a similar item. The hot rod boys here in SO Cal have come up with a Carbon Graphite fan that looks very good too,except the edges are sharp as a razor but they can be blunted and it can be painted to fit in with the Healey engine decor.---Keoke

 

[zblu]

Put a 5 blade plastic on myself, only because I am not game to keep the original ali propellor on after 50 yrs of service! But dont most fans become a resistance to airflow after about 35mph?

 

[Dave Russell]

[ QUOTE ]
But don't most fans become a resistance to airflow after about 35mph?

[/ QUOTE ]
Possibly so. It may be more like 60 mph.
I think most cars have a problem getting enough air flow at low speeds & more fan certainly helps this situation.

A variable pitch fan just increases it's pitch if air is forced through it. This compensates for much of the resistance that it would otherwise present.
D

 

[Keoke]

Zblu, where did you find a 5 bladed fan. That is one of the quietest and most efficient small fans going.??------Here is my opinion on the operation of the flex fan. when the blades start to move the air,the aerodynamic moment created causes the blades too flatten,reducing its pitch.At low speeds the blades exhibit their maximum ability to do work which is also the blades maximum pitch position. Now without the benefit of other users experiences it is not inconceivable that we could pick a fan that flattens too much at speed which would reduce the normal flow of cooling air to the engine and it consequently heats up.---Fwiw---Keoke

 

[zblu]

Got it thru the healey factory in melbourne in oz, comes with a spacer keoke

 

[Dave Russell]

[ QUOTE ]
Put a 5 blade plastic on myself, only because I am not game to keep the original ali propellor on after 50 yrs of service!

[/ QUOTE ]
A very good move. A few of the original 4 blade cast ali props have been known to throw a blade. Ali is subject to fatigue failures after a too long service life. There is a photo of where one blade exited through the bonnet. I have a pretty red one hanging on the wall if the car ever "has" to have complete originality.

The six blade fan is also very quiet due to the staggered blade arrangement. See attached pic:
D