Spitfire Electric Fan- Spitfire

[KSIS]

Who has fitted a electric fan to their Spit and what did you use. I went trudging through the junk yard today and came home with a narrow Geo Metro fan but it looks too tall. What would you recommend?

 

[JRC]

I haven't done this. I was just thinking about replacing the old 4-blade with a new plastic style. We don't have very many junk yards in CO. either.

 

[Andrew Mace]

I can't think of any good reason to do this except possibly to save .5-1 hp or so.

 

[HerronScott]

I agree with Andy. We never had any issues with cooling with my wife's MkIII at least here in Virginia.

Scott

 

[booley]

Gareth Thomas states in his Triumph Tuning Manual that, "a mechanical fan robs 7hp at 5500 rpm"

search ebay for "electric radiator fans"

 

[KSIS]

I was hoping to find a good donor in the junk yard. 10 buck seems like a good price to me. I thinking because I am running a 1300, dual SU's header,stainless exhaust. I would like to tweak horse power with out cracking the engine open.
That will be later when I find a 1300 to put on a stand and build.

 

[poolboy]

Gareth Thomas states in his Triumph Tuning Manual that, "a mechanical fan robs 7hp at 5500 rpm"

search ebay for "electric radiator fans"

That sounds significant. What's it, about 10% ?
The thing I noticed the most after removing the big red 13 blade fan from my TR6 was that during the process of shifting the engine speed did not drop off as much during that interval that the clutch was depressed. I contribute that to the elimination of air resistance on the crank.

 

[71MKIV]

I used a fan out of a fiat x-19 mounted with some strap steel to the front of the radiator. It's running backwards but it works. It also fits under the fabbed up radiator shields I have. It's actually the same fan that's on the last Spits, the one with the rad that leans forward.

FWIW

 

[KSIS]

I like the idea of the X-19. they just got one in at the Pick-n-Pull.

 

[billspit]

One big problem with cooling a Spitfire is the lack of a decent shroud around the fan. The fan won't draw air through the radiator because it spills in around the side of they fan. Spit tends to overheat in slow traffic on hot days. I think a later model plastic fan with a close fitting shroud may take care of it. I haven't found one pre-made so it would have to be fabricated.

Most of the electric aftermarket fans have somewhat of a shroud built into the fan. I found a SPAL fan that was perfect, but not cheap. A trip to the salvage yard with a tape measure should help. The problem I foresee is that the space between the water pump and radiator isn't very deep. You may need to tilt the radiator for extra clearance.

 

[pjsmetana]

I got mine from Moss. The smallest one they sell. Its really really powerful... I actually had to raise my idle for when it kicks on it was causing enough of a draw that it bogged the engine down. Its been a really good thing here in FL, but the temp probe it came with was a hunk-o-junk.

I also relocated mine to be a pusher fan... as this way it gives SOME sort of anti-rock protection to my slanted, close to the ground, radiator.