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TR2/3/3A More TR3 cooling ideas

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chris59tr3

Freshman Member
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I've been folowing the posts on 3 cooling issues as I am in the process of trying to improve the cooling in my 3. With all the front sheetmetal off the car and the radiator and water pump removed, I was going to mount a 6 fan that I had on the shelf. I have seen cars with this modification and find it looks a bit strange. Then I remembered that I had a 13 inch flex-o-lite fan that was supposed to work on my Volvo PV544 but didn't. It seems to fit with only modest modification. The fan center hole has to be enlarged and there is need for a spacer block behind the fan. I am concerned with balance after modifying the fan. Any ideas?
Thanks
Chris
 
Aloha Chris,

I have installed this plastic flexifan from NAPA

https://www.napaonline.com/MasterPages/NO...lade+-+Flexible

Since was 14" in diameter, I cut it down to 13" diameter. I fabricated a spacer to move the fan forward about 3/8" so the blades would clear the front cross tube. I made this from a polymer cutting board of the appropriate thickness. I also needed to enlarge the center hole in the fan and re-drill two of the holes for the mounting bolts. The plastic fan and spacer were mounted on the original extension with the standard crank shaft bolt and fan bolts. I did not use the rubber bushings. Make sure to use the crank bolt locking plate and locking tabs for the fan bolts to keep everything tight.

If your fan is symmetrical, I would not be concerned about balance. I my installation because the fan is so light and the six blades evenly spaced I was not concerned about balance.

The new fan has worked well for me. I rarely use my back up electric fan. Most often it is only needed when I'm in very slow moving traffic over 30 minutes or so.
 
How much and how are you going to enlarge the center hole? If you have access to a drill press or milling machine clamp the fan down with the current hole size bit in the press and the fan to center the fan. Than change the bit to the required size and drill out the hole. The fan should remain centered enough that you will not have to balance it on a flex-o-lite fan.

Phil
 
Aloha Phil,

I have a drill press and it was the principle tool I used. I used step drill bits, fostner bits and a hole saw to fabricate the spacer. The step drill bit was used to enlarge the holes in the fan blade. I used an x-acto fine tooth saw to shorten the fan blades.
 
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