plastic cooling fan options for 1275

[Jer]

I have just discovered loose cooling fan bolts on Midge & also discovered that it isn't an original style fan (steel but at least 8 blades, not 4, some sort of flex fan, looks like the type that were on a 1500)that has been bastardized on to the 1275, seeing I have to remove the radiator to get in there I was looking at my reserve of parts & discovered I have a plastic 6 blade (which I understand I need a spacer for to clear the timing cover canistor) OR I also have an 11 blade plastic like this off a Mini. From what I have read the plastic were better than the original 4 blade (I have those as well)

https://www.mra-minis.co.uk/classic-mini-...-12g2129yel.htm

I was thinking about using the one off the Mini seeing it is off the same vintage motor (with the timing cover canistor, therefore not needing spacers) & 11 blades has to be better than 6 right ? ;-)

Has anyone tried one of these before ? anything to watch out for ? removing & installing the rad is a major PITA & I only want to do this once !

Thanks

 

[spritenut]

Do NOT use a Mini fan on a Spridget.
It is a puller fan as the Mini has a tranverse engine.
The 6 blade plastic is stock 1275 Spridget and yes you either need the dual belt pulley or a spacer to clear the timing cover snoot.

 

[Jer]

just to clarify, isn't the stock fan on any Spridget a "puller" fan as it pulls the air thru the radiator from the grill side to engine side ? Do you mean the Mini fan is a "pusher" fan which pushes the air from engine side to the wheel well ?

 

[smaceng]

Yes, Mini fan is a pusher. Will not work (well anyway) on a spriget.
Scott in CA.

 

[Jer]

When I got home tonight, I jacked Midge up, put a pail under the rad drain & went in for supper... just before 7 I headed back out to the garage removed the rad & old fan, adjusted the belt tension while it was easier to reach & had the new fan installed & back together by 8 pm, actually went really well.
I had got some bolts to use as a 1/4" spacer for the 6 blade plastic fan, but it turns out the odd-ball steel 6 blade fan that I removed had a 1/4" spacer (nice machined disc) already installed so I just used it on the plastic fan, took her for a test drive & all is well.
Below is a front & rear view of the fan I removed, it did have locktabs on the bolts, but the bolts went thru little rubber grommets with steel sleeves (seen in rear view) & it was wobbling on the worn rubber making a nice clunking noise at low idle, strange fan... 3 of the blades had angled reliefs, 3 didn't ... anyone recognize this fan ? wonder what it's off of ?