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TR2/3/3A Hurricane Fan Installation ???

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toysrrus

toysrrus

Yoda
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Hi Folks,

Well; I`m getting back at my "Very Quick" rise in coolant temp. while I`m idling.

I bought a "GT6" Hurricane Fan & plan on installing it within 2 wks.

The plan is "NOT" to move or remove the Front Apron to remove the Orig. fan & Install the new one!!

My Mech. had this suggestion that I`m "NOT" too keen on but ???????? Looking for opinions!!!!!!!!!!

He said that if he removed the large crossmember between the shock towers; That it would be reasonably easy to remove the bolts etc off the crank & pull the whole Fan Ass`y. out. That crossmember I`m referring to is the one that sits above the Fan Extension.

It looks good on paper but what sort of flex or whatever may occur when removed? How easy would it be to Re-Install?

Thanx Much,

Russ
 
Question - Does a tropical fan fit a TR3? Mine is way thicker/deeper than the original TR3 fan, maybe too big in diameter also, but I haven't tried it since mine is destined for my 4A. I would measure before going to all the work. I do know that a 4A fan (with the square ends versus the earlier rounded ends) is too big in diameter to fit.

And if you end up having to change the fan extension, the center crank bolt needs to come out which might or not be possible with the radiator in place.
 
Russ, I think if you have the car setting on it's wheels, it will increase the pressure on the crossmember making it harder to remove and even harder to reinstall. I would jack the car up in the front middle until both front wheels are off the ground taking the pressure off of the crossmember. When I did my body off restoration I noticed there was some flex in the front inner fenders after attaching the body to the frame. When the wheels were on the ground the crossmember became very tight; jacked up it seemed to take the pressure off.
 
Russ, one other thing, I installed an electric fan on mine which is a lot less work than installing an Hurricane fan and it does a really good job keeping the temp down.
 
Russ --

I know you are determined not to remove the apron, but doing so would not only simplify the fan install but also present an opportunity to address the radiator with an inspection, boil, rodding or recore as required. I do not know offhand what a hurricane fan is so I cannot help on the advisability of the proposed install.

I, too, dreaded the thought of removing the apron on my TR3A but when the day came (timing chain tensioner) it was actually not a big deal. Gave me a chance to take care of a lot of little things while I was in there.

Peter --

I installed a tropical fan in my TR3A with everything else (radiator, apron, etc) in place. It helped a lot that the car was on a lift (possible on jack stands but more pleasant on a lift). As I recall a ratcheting wrench was all I needed. The lock tabs were missing from mine so I did not have to fiddle with those. I used lock washers and Loctite Blue for reassembly.

As you note, measure first as it seems not all TRs have the same space in that area.
 
I agree, the crossmember is easier to R&R if you first jack the car up under the center of the frame. Still not what I'd call easy with the front apron on, but at least you'll take the force off of the crossmember. Should be OK to put the car back on the wheels (or jack stands) while working on the fan, though.

As noted, I think it's foolish not to pull the radiator and have it rodded out. With any kind of fan at all in there, and everything else normal, you should see only a very slow rise at idle, if at all. Your description of "quick rise" leads me to believe there is something else wrong; which means the bigger fan is not likely to fix it.

I've been through the "overheated blues" more times than I care to think about, tried all the suggestions and changes. Can't think of a single time where it didn't turn out to be either a leaking head gasket, or a bad radiator. Last time around, even the radiator shop said the radiator was "fine", but it was the problem. Once I insisted that they rod it out, they discovered it wasn't fine and the new core made all the overheating problems disappear. I once drove for several months with no fan at all, just by turning the engine off when I got caught at a long stop light.

PS, I take that back. Dad's TR3A had a very persistent overheating problem, mostly at speed, which I believe now was caused mostly by worn needles and jets in the carbs. The 4.1 rear axle with no overdrive may have played a part as well.
 
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https://www.macysgarage.com/myweb6/Parts/triumph_accessories.htm Hurricane fan here....no interest just providing the link in case people are looking for cooling alternatives.....


Geo Hahn said:
Russ --

I know you are determined not to remove the apron, but doing so would not only simplify the fan install but also present an opportunity to address the radiator with an inspection, boil, rodding or recore as required. I do not know offhand what a hurricane fan is so I cannot help on the advisability of the proposed install.

I, too, dreaded the thought of removing the apron on my TR3A but when the day came (timing chain tensioner) it was actually not a big deal. Gave me a chance to take care of a lot of little things while I was in there.

Peter --

I installed a tropical fan in my TR3A with everything else (radiator, apron, etc) in place. It helped a lot that the car was on a lift (possible on jack stands but more pleasant on a lift). As I recall a ratcheting wrench was all I needed. The lock tabs were missing from mine so I did not have to fiddle with those. I used lock washers and Loctite Blue for reassembly.

As you note, measure first as it seems not all TRs have the same space in that area.
Click to expand...
 
toysrrus said:
Hi Folks,

Well; I`m getting back at my "Very Quick" rise in coolant temp. while I`m idling.

I bought a "GT6" Hurricane Fan & plan on installing it within 2 wks.

The plan is "NOT" to move or remove the Front Apron to remove the Orig. fan & Install the new one!!

My Mech. had this suggestion that I`m "NOT" too keen on but ???????? Looking for opinions!!!!!!!!!!

He said that if he removed the large crossmember between the shock towers; That it would be reasonably easy to remove the bolts etc off the crank & pull the whole Fan Ass`y. out. That crossmember I`m referring to is the one that sits above the Fan Extension.

It looks good on paper but what sort of flex or whatever may occur when removed? How easy would it be to Re-Install?

Thanx Much,

Russ
Click to expand...

I keep a house window fan in the garage to run when running motorcyles stationary.
I think you may want to try this as a experiment to see if your issue is the fan.If temps keep rising at idle with a house fan blowing on radiator I think your issue is not the fan.
God luck
Tom
 
Geo Hahn said:
Okay, I didn't realize this was Macy's fan.

A local TR3A owner and Forum member John Mead just installed one of these so perhaps he will comment on how that went. I have seen it on his TR3A and fit & clearance look fine.
Click to expand...

I didn't either. So not a Tropical fan but good to know the tropical fan does fit a 3A too.
 
As Geo mentioned I installed the Macy fan. I removed the apron. I like being able to see what I'm doing and being sure everything's lined up and tightened correctly. As for the performance of the Macy fan, it sure seems to slow the temp rise at lights. I'm spending more time with eyes on the road and not on the temp gauge.
John
 
Hi Tom,

I think thats a great idea. I`m going to do that.

Thanx, Russ
TFB said:
I keep a house window fan in the garage to run when running motorcyles stationary.
I think you may want to try this as a experiment to see if your issue is the fan.If temps keep rising at idle with a house fan blowing on radiator I think your issue is not the fan.
God luck
Tom
Click to expand...
 
Hi Peter,

I checked the "Bolt Pattern, Thickness etc" on a friends `57 Small Mouth (My Ex TR3) & all should fit just fine. My Fan is 12" dia by the way as the Orig.

Regards, Russ

PeterK said:
Question - Does a tropical fan fit a TR3? Mine is way thicker/deeper than the original TR3 fan, maybe too big in diameter also, but I haven't tried it since mine is destined for my 4A. I would measure before going to all the work. I do know that a 4A fan (with the square ends versus the earlier rounded ends) is too big in diameter to fit.

And if you end up having to change the fan extension, the center crank bolt needs to come out which might or not be possible with the radiator in place.
Click to expand...
 
Hi Terry,

Yes; I`m giving that some serious thought as well. It sure does seem a heck of alot easier than any other method!!

Thanx, Russ

TR3TR6 said:
Russ, one other thing, I installed an electric fan on mine which is a lot less work than installing an Hurricane fan and it does a really good job keeping the temp down.
Click to expand...
 
Russ, I installed mine in front of the radiator, removed the stock one, ( to gain a few more horses) have run the car in the hottest weather here in Kansas with no engine heating problems. Now if I could just figure out a way to stay cool while driving.
 
TR3TR6 said:
Now if I could just figure out a way to stay cool while driving.
Click to expand...
Not sure how much it would help in Kansas, but in the southwest deserts, having a top over my head makes a big difference. I found an old white top with the windows clouded up (so not very useful in bad weather) and cut the windows out of it to make a "bikini" top. Still plenty of ventilation with no windows (and no side curtains), but having the sun off your head and shoulders helps quite a bit.

Also be sure to seal up any holes in the firewall/bulkhead, and check that the seals inside the front fenders are in good shape. It's amazing how much heat can get through even a 1/2" hole.

I assume you've already put insulation under the carpet, especially over the transmission tunnel. Mine used to get so hot I couldn't lean my leg on it, some cheap felt/foil "water heater insulation" made a big difference there.
 
Thanks Randall, I like the idea of cutting the windows out. I have a beige top for it, but it's just too hot with the top up. I will start looking for a well used white one. I put installation everywhere in the cab to keep the heat out.
 
Russ before you pull that brace off, ask your mechanic how long he figures that bolt is holding on the fan and the hub?
 
Hi sp53,

We`re way ahead of you on the length of the bolts. Very good suggestion by the way!!

Thanx, Russ
 
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