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TR2/3/3A Macy,s new fan

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So, first off let me apologize for not posting sooner. I haven't read all the posts but the question was asked if you could replace the fan without taking off the apron. For the fan to work on my car it would be the only for me to do it. When I bought my Tr3 the previous owner painted over the seems. Anyway, I bought the fan months ago and with the hopes of replacing. I got side tracked as I could see it may not have been possible and I did not want to go the summer without driving it.

So, long story short, IT IS POSSIBLE. However I would not recommend it. I am by all accounts a novice so here is what I had to do. I first removed the water pump to get more room to operate. I then disassembled the Macy fan. I maked off the blades and position on the metal housing. I took the back of the fan and bolted it on to the hub. I then loosely attached the front of the metal housing to the back. There are four bolts that holds the fan together. I then slipped the blades back into place and tightened the bolts. There is very little room to work and tightening the bolts was very slow going. It is installed and now I just have to replace the water pump and drive!
 
Good persistence on your part. Hope you never have a radiator problem - though I think it may be able to come out thru the engine bay with the head off.
 
Hi There Kiowa,

Thanx for posting your exp. & I did get your PM as well.

My car will be getting re-painted this winter so; Off comes the apron, remove the radiator (Good time to check that out) & "EASLY, SIMPLY" re-install a new fan.

Fast up-date on my latest exp. I removed the "Crossmember" for easier access to remove the "Hub Ass`y" & there was no distortion etc. in replacing it; Jacked Up. Removed the 6 bolts on the Hub Ass`y. (Not too easy but got it) but; How do you remove the "Crank Bolt" without running into the Radiator?

As I mentioned; This winter the apron is coming off so; Problem will be solved without too much Drama!!!!

Thanx to All for your Input.

Russ
 
toysrrus said:
...How do you remove the "Crank Bolt" without running into the Radiator?
Click to expand...

I've only done it with the radiator out but I think the method I used might work with it in.

I used a six-point socket (1/2" drive) on a 18" breaker bar. I braced the bar against whatever frame component it touched -- then bumped the starter. Walla.

If you try this think twice about which direction the bar will want to move so it is braced correctly.

Of course this will be of no use when you reassemble but then you'll use a torque wrench.

If you have a crank hole, 2 thoughts:

- I have wondered if the wrench extension could go through there to loosen & tighten (never tried that).

- If you use your hand crank to start the engine you will want to note the position of the starter dog on the bolt as the engine starts better with those ears in a specific position (adjusted upon reassembly with shims by trial & error). The manual has the position (10 til 4?).
 
TR3 Spitfire GT6 replacement Fan.jpg

Hi Folks,

I still have`nt installed this "Plastic Spitfire GT6" fan but I will shortly. I`m taking the "Front Apron" off to make this a "Non-Drama" event!!

I`m wondering if you can tell me whether I need the "Rubber Grommets, etc etc" to properly mount this fan? TRF offers a "Fan Mtg Kit" (RFK-180) which offers all the Hdwr. etc.

Do I need all this stuff???

I also posted a "Wanted" ad in the classifieds for a "Passenger Side" Seat Track Ass`y. Preferably adjustable if there is such a thing. I`m not very fond of the new way to post via whatever that site is.

Thanx much,

Russ

PeterK said:
Looks like a Spitfire fan. A similar fan was used on early TR6 models 69-70ish but that fan was yellow. Not to be confused with the squared later TR6 fan.

Oh and it should fit OK. No idea on cooling value.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
I don't know for sure, but all the plastic Triumph fans that I've seen do not use the rubber bushings, and the metal sleeves are cast into the plastic. So I don't think you need the fan mounting kit.

Is there some reason you don't want to buy new seat tracks? They aren't very expensive as I recall. I've got some rusty originals that might be salvageable, but it didn't seem worth the effort to me.
 
toysrrus said:
Hi Folks,

I still have`nt installed this "Plastic Spitfire GT6" fan but I will shortly. I`m taking the "Front Apron" off to make this a "Non-Drama" event!!

I`m wondering if you can tell me whether I need the "Rubber Grommets, etc etc" to properly mount this fan? TRF offers a "Fan Mtg Kit" (RFK-180) which offers all the Hdwr. etc.

Do I need all this stuff???

I also posted a "Wanted" ad in the classifieds for a "Passenger Side" Seat Track Ass`y. Preferably adjustable if there is such a thing. I`m not very fond of the new way to post via whatever that site is.

Thanx much,

Russ
Click to expand...

Hey Russ, Here's the early TR6 version of your fan https://home.myfairpoint.net/kentech0822/triumph/fans_tr250-6.jpg as well as the later squared fan. I think that the Spitfire fan is just a different color although I haven't seen them side by side. But looking at your it seems that the metal sleeves are in place and I assume that the rubber pieces are between the metal and the plastic fan. Both the plastic TR6 fans in my photo use the kit so I would think the Spitfire does also.


https://home.myfairpoint.net/kentech0822/triumph/fans_tr250-6.jpg
 
I purchased the mounting kit when I bought Macy's fan because Mark recommended it. He was right (which is very typical) that the rubber bushings off the old fan were toast.

I've taken the car out 5 or 6 times on hour plus rides (and as many as 4 hours) several times since installing Macy's fan and have yet to climb much over 185 before it came back below 185 (although all these rides were in New England autumn temperatures). My wife and I were out about two week ago in bumper to bumper traffic in Rhode Island and the temperature never got to 185. I realize this is a small sample in cool air temperatures, but to this point I'm pretty happy with the fan.
 
Glad the fan is working out Bill. I have a yellow plastic TR6 fan that I may try out and plan to order the TRF mounting kit. I would expect the car to run fairly cool in the driving you described. My understanding was that the fan's main benefit would be during slow driving or when stuck in traffic. Any experiences yet in these conditions? Cheers, Mike
 
I only installed the fan in September and have only been in bumper-to-bumper traffic once (albeit for close to an hour), but that was in October when the ambient temperatures were very cool. I'll certainly update the forum next year as the temperatures rise again. I drove the car more this year than I've had the opportunity to since I own her (bought in Dec 2010) as I work out the bugs and fix some of the head scratching decisions the PO made. I'm still struggling a bit with her running very rich, but that is a topic for another post.....
 
The first fan in the picture is something I am not failure with, perhaps a 60’s herald. If the bolt pattern works, and the bolting holes are big enough and the fan does not hit the bottom of the radiator, it is worth a try. The fan has what looks like metal sleeves built right into it, but they look kinda small (1/4) and the other white one has the larger holes that would need a mounting kit. The mounting kit perhaps would not be needed, but, and because the stock mounting kit holds the rubber grommets and sleeves in place and does not have sleeves built into it; it is different. The white one with the sleeves looks like it has been functioning well for a long time, so it should be fine. Heck if it fits, paint it black, and it will blend right in.
 
TR3driver said:
I don't know for sure, but all the plastic Triumph fans that I've seen do not use the rubber bushings, and the metal sleeves are cast into the plastic. So I don't think you need the fan mounting kit.

Is there some reason you don't want to buy new seat tracks? They aren't very expensive as I recall. I've got some rusty originals that might be salvageable, but it didn't seem worth the effort to me.
Click to expand...

Hi Randall,

Thanx for your input on the fan. As you can see from my pic; The sleeves are cast right into the fan. I bought just the "Rubber Buffers & New Locktabs" from TRF. You do not need to buy the entire kit if you don`t need all the parts.

The "Seat Tracks" sell for approx. $50.00 ea. side + Shipping but they don`t appear (At least in Moss`s pic) that they are adjustable for the "Passenger Side"?? I have`nt called them to confirm that but I will.

I`ll be back with my findings.

Thanx, Russ
 
toysrrus said:
...The "Seat Tracks" sell for approx. $50.00 ea. side + Shipping but they don`t appear (At least in Moss`s pic) that they are adjustable for the "Passenger Side"??
Click to expand...

If you mean this page:

https://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=123689&SortOrder=160

They only illustrate the driver side tracks, but I can't imagine that the passenger side would be any different other than handedness.

Indeed, if they were not adjustable there would be no point in seat tracks at all -- you might as well bolt the seat to the floorboard.

BTW - I am somewhat amazed they can sell them for only $50 bucks.
 
You might want to tack weld or somehow reinforce the bolts on the new seat rails. On the ones I installed last year, the bolts appeared to be just pressed in. Several broke loose rather easily when tightened. I checked with all the usual suspects, (Moss, TRF, & VB), and all of their seat rails were the same.
 
Geo Hahn said:
If you mean this page:

https://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=123689&SortOrder=160

They only illustrate the driver side tracks, but I can't imagine that the passenger side would be any different other than handedness.

Indeed, if they were not adjustable there would be no point in seat tracks at all -- you might as well bolt the seat to the floorboard.

BTW - I am somewhat amazed they can sell them for only $50 bucks.
Click to expand...
The ones I have came from Moss many years ago ($35 then as I recall) and are definitely handed and both adjustable, just like the originals.

Just in case it isn't clear yet, the page that Geo references shows only one set; each seat takes 4 separate pieces. Two bolt to the floor, two bolt to the seat. So the RH set is simply not illustrated.
 
Hi Bill,

Thanx for letting us all know about your exc. exp. with "Mark Macy`s" fan. I for one will be buying his & his mtg. kit comes this winter while my car will be getting dis-assembled, stripped & repainted.

Regards, Russ
 
All,

Just a little update for those who have followed this thread.

Although it is only May, I've had the car out several times in high 70's/low 80's temperatures and I'm very optimistic about the results after installing Macy's Hurricane fan. I've driven in bumper to bumper traffic, had her up to 85 on the highway and ran for over an hour on country roads so far this Spring and my TR3A has only registered at tick over 185 (I'm chalking that up to the fact she has a 55 year old gauge). Keep in mind, I also replaced the badly damaged radiator and added a missing radiator shroud so it the better cooling may be the result all the enhancements, but overall, I'm very pleased thus far.
 
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