Spitfire Spitfire Fan Clutch

[Alabama_Hokies]

I have a '76 Spitfire. First Triumph with a fan clutch. Well, that used to have a fan clutch. It started making noise and successfully removed itself while my daughter was coming back from collage. Shortest path for the fan evidently involved a short trip through the radiator. Good news is that daughter is fine and that it failed write in front of a tow company. 

Question is, can I replace the water pump and fan with the non-clutch type? Is it a direct bolt up to the original housing? Is the Fan the same size; is there a clearance problem?

Thanks,

Dave B

 

[Andrew Mace]

Yes, you can go with the non-clutch type; no problems at all!

 

[Alabama_Hokies]

Thanks for the quick response. I will be ordering pump, fan, and arghhhh.... new radiator.

Thanks,

Dave B

 

[71MKIV]

Um, make sure that you order the older water pump, for the 71 to 75.

The later waterpumps had a different nose on them to accept the clutch.

OTT it's a bolt up

 

[Andrew Mace]

I will be ordering pump, fan, and arghhhh.... new radiator.

Is the damage confined to the core itself, i.e., are the top and bottom tanks, etc., ok? Maybe you could get your radiator recored locally? Likely cheaper, and almost certainly better quality, than a "new" radiator.

 

[TR3driver]

Likely not a problem with a Spitfire; but when I tried eliminating the fan clutch on my 71 Stag, I learned the hard way that it performs an important function. The Stag has the fan down low (on the crankshaft) and when I hit a big water puddle during a heavy rain, the fan blades deflected due to the water and cut into the (freshly recored) radiator.

The 'clutch' on a Stag also lets the fan turn considerably slower then engine rpm during normal operation, which reduces drag on the motor noticeably. Although I did not try to compare; I have a feeling that it pays for itself fairly rapidly in fuel savings ...

 

[71MKIV]

I replaced my fan with an electric unit from a Fiat x19, that looks very similar to the last units on a 1500. solved all the problems all at once. Just left the fan off completely.

 

[SteveGlusman]

I also installed two 10" electric fans and got rid of the fan/clutch after losing one and detroying a radiator..the Haydon fans fit great and cool very well...I got my radiator from Spitbits where the price was much better than others...

good luck

Steve G
76 Spit

 

[Alabama_Hokies]

All,

Thanks for the input. Parts are on order from SpitBits for a new radiator and pump and fan that will remove the clutch.

Thanks again,

Dave B