Fan Shroud

[Keith_M]

Over the weekend we (my wife and I) drove the Healey in a parade of sorts. It was well over 90, and for a good portion of the route, we were just creeping along. Here's a picture of us just for fun.


Anyway, to no one's surprise I'm sure, the engine got hot. I have a re-cored radiator, and I never have trouble with overheating as long as I'm moving (I can easily pull a 2000 ft mountain pass with temps in the 90s), but as soon as I stop, the temperature starts climbing.

I think a fan shroud would help this situation, and I see that British Car Specialists sells them. Has anyone had any experience with their shroud or any other commercially-available shrouds?

 

[Keoke]

Yes a fan shroud will help.
However, you did not indicate if your recored radiator increased the number of tubes and do you also have a Texas cooler fan. Cumulative these changes usually aleviate Healey cooling problems at low speed. FWIW

 

[Bob_Spidell]

I have the BCS fan shroud, a re-cored (4 row) radiator and a Texas Cooler fan. Together, I think they give me about 3-5degF of 'extra' cooling, or margin for error if you prefer. Before I put in the TC, I had a 7-bladed stainless steel flex fan, and it had the most significant impact of any of the other mods as at idle it pulled about as much air as a Cessna 172 at idle (to the extent it would blow leaves and dust out from under the car). Unfortunately, it sounded like a Cessna so I took it out.

 

[RAC68]

Hi Keith,

I too have a re-cored radiator and added the additions described in this article “I Always Wanted a COOL Car” (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx4EjcJmfaScY0NLdlB0YjEwRFE/edit?usp=sharing). The additions are inconspicuous for the most part and easily made and installed (or removed). As a result, I have driven in a number of town parades and, although I was boiling, the car remained reasonably cool for the conditions you have described.

Hope it helps,
Ray (64BJ8P1)

 

[Keith_M]

I do have a Texas Cooler fan (or at least the Denis Welch equivalent), and tubes/rows were added when my radiator was re-cored. Those two modifications completely eliminated my overheating problems at speed and dramatically improved overheating while sitting. At this point, I'm looking to further reduce my problems while sitting.

Ray, thanks for the link to that article; it's really useful and a must-read for all Healey owners who live south of Alaska.

Bob, how hard was the BCS shroud to install?

 

[Bob_Spidell]

... Bob, how hard was the BCS shroud to install?

If it's the same design--basically, two semi-circular pieces of steel sheet with brackets welded on--it's pretty easy. They--the two halves--bolt on to the two bolts holding the lower radiator brackets (under the existing nuts). IIRC, I did it from above with radiator, etc. installed, but it would probably be a bit easier from underneath. You'll need to secure the tops to the existing fan guard; I used 4 short #10x32 screws after drilling through guard and shrouds simultaneously to be sure holes would line up. Shouldn't take more than an hour, tops.

 

[Keith_M]

If it's the same design--basically, two semi-circular pieces of steel sheet with brackets welded on--it's pretty easy. They--the two halves--bolt on to the two bolts holding the lower radiator brackets (under the existing nuts). IIRC, I did it from above with radiator, etc. installed, but it would probably be a bit easier from underneath. You'll need to secure the tops to the existing fan guard; I used 4 short #10x32 screws after drilling through guard and shrouds simultaneously to be sure holes would line up. Shouldn't take more than an hour, tops.

Thanks Bob. I'll give it a try.

 

[steveg]

I improved on the stock sketchy design with a stretcher bar to push the two halves outward and maintain tension without screwing them to the shroud. Also made sheet metal closures to seal the gaps on either side of the radiator, as well as the gaps around the tank lip:

 

[Bob_Spidell]

Nice. I'll bet your 'gap sealers' add a degree or two of cooling, since part of the problem is hot air being recirculated around the radiator by 'eddy currents.'

 

[dcarlg]

Keith,

I also recommend the BCS shroud, and yes it easy to install. If you will be participating in more parades, you may wish to consider an electric "pusher" fan in front of the radiator, with either manual or thermostat switch. I chose a manual toggle switch.

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

Keith,

I also recommend the BCS shroud, and yes it easy to install. If you will be participating in more parades, you may wish to consider an electric "pusher" fan in front of the radiator, with either manual or thermostat switch. I chose a manual toggle switch.

I chose to add more rows/tubes to my radiator, Texas Cooler Fan Blade, BCS/Kilmartin Shroud and a thermostaically controlled pusher Fan in front of the radiator. I did have to remove the "X" brace from in front of the radiator. In summer driving with the AC "on", no overheating!

 

[Keith_M]

Thanks Guys. This is all good information. I've wondered about adding an electric fan in front of the radiator as well, but I always worry it will slow airflow through the radiator at speed. Maybe this really isn't a concern?

 

[HealeyRick]

Keith,

If you want to talk to guys with cooling problems, talk to the Nasty Boys. Generally a "puller" fan mounted behind the radiator will help cooling better than a "pusher" mounted in front of the radiator. I did a very large pusher like this:



As described here: https://www.britishcarforum.com/bcf...-Healey-Passion-vs-Healey-Hack&highlight=hack Even still, it wasn't enough and I eventaully turned it into a puller and added a shroud. So far, that seems to have worked.

 

[Keith_M]

Keith,

If you want to talk to guys with cooling problems, talk to the Nasty Boys. Generally a "puller" fan mounted behind the radiator will help cooling better than a "pusher" mounted in front of the radiator. I did a very large pusher like this:

As described here: https://www.britishcarforum.com/bcf...-Healey-Passion-vs-Healey-Hack&highlight=hack Even still, it wasn't enough and I eventaully turned it into a puller and added a shroud. So far, that seems to have worked.

Ha! I guess I should be thankful that I just have a "little" engine!

 

[Bobbydsport]

I have the BCS fan shroud, a re-cored (4 row) radiator and a Texas Cooler fan. Together, I think they give me about 3-5degF of 'extra' cooling, or margin for error if you prefer. Before I put in the TC, I had a 7-bladed stainless steel flex fan, and it had the most significant impact of any of the other mods as at idle it pulled about as much air as a Cessna 172 at idle (to the extent it would blow leaves and dust out from under the car). Unfortunately, it sounded like a Cessna so I took it out.

Bob with regard to the Texas cooler fan. The instructions say if you can't get a good 1/2" to 3/4" clearance between the fan & the radiator, don't use this fan.Well I bought one & to get the clearance necessary I had to pad out the bottom of the radiator with some aluminum blocks I made. I didn't move the top out because when I checked for bonnet clearance with some play doe on top the radiator cap I only had 1/4" to spare.In addition my motor mounts are solid & not all oiled up & I replaced the bushings in the tie between the back of the trans & the frame.I did get about 5/8" clearance but the fan blades still just barely clipped a very small area of the radiator fins.Have you had any similar problems? BTW my car is a '67 BJ8 series III.

Bobbyd

 

[Bob_Spidell]

I've run the TC for at least 50K miles with no problem. I have about 3/8" clearance from the edge of the blade to the seam on the top tank. It's possible the construction of the fans has changed over the years; I got mine from a Texas club--hence 'Texas Cooler,' I believe--many years ago and I think the sources may have changed over the years.

 

[Bobbydsport]

Very possible Bob. I got mine thru Moss & is suppose to be an exact duplicate of the original.But you know how that off shore stuff goes.

Bobbyd

 

[Keith_M]

I got my 5-bladed fan through Denis Welch. I always assumed it was identical to the famous Texas Cooler, but I now realize that the Texas cooler is a 6-bladed fan. Mine fits nicely behind my radiator with at least a half inch clearance and it moves A LOT more air than the original fan, but wonder if the 6-bladed fan is better.

 

[Lotuswins]

Hi Keith,

I have added an electric fan too, bolted to the cross brace in front of the radiator, 12 inch diameter as detailed in the article on A/C for the Healey. No issues with blocking air at speed that I can detect. Note that the addition of the electric fan in addition to the mechanical one is it not only adds velocity to the air entering into the fins but pushes fresh air up over and around the radiator preventing hot air from recycling through the radiator. You can add a thermostatic switch to have it come on only when things are warm too, adjustable ones are a nice touch so you can get it to come on just when you want it to.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

... wonder if the 6-bladed fan is better.

Yes, by 20% (6/5). Actually, sometimes more blades is worse, as turbulence created by the previous blade reduces the efficiency of the 'current' blade.