Rocky - you may also try sonically cleaning the radiator. This is non intrusive
and I have had excellent results. I can highly recommend Michael Brayton
Enterprises at 714 879-8224.
Bill B
GT6+
-----Original Message-----
From: Rocky Entriken [mailto:rocky@tri.net]
Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2003 2:54 PM
To: Patrick Caswell; n197tr4@cs.com
Cc: VTR List; Triumph List; FOT
Subject: Re: 6 Blade fan for Triumph
I did not catch the original post, but the details in this one bring to
mind two different aspects of cooling that I've dealt with in my Spitfire.
First off -- one time I had a rather pronounced cooling problem with my race
Spitfire. It would cool well enough in a race (even running with no fan),
but in autocross it would be easily over 200-210 after one run and take
forever to cool down.
A friend suggested I take the radiator (which is a stock Spitfire unit) to a
radiator shop to be rodded out. I'd never heard the term before, but I did
that. They take the top/bottom off and ream out the water passages. The
change was remarkable. Simply put, I have no problem any more with cooling.
This despite the fact they said two passages were so badly clogged they
could not get the rod through it. I can do autocross runs back to back, or
sit and idle for long periods of time (the engine takes a lot of warmup).
That was several years ago and the fix is still working fine.
Second, I replaced the 4-blade Spitfire fan with a 6-blade unit several
years ago. The 6-blade is actually an aftermarket Corvette fan I bought at
the local speed shop. I simply cut the blades' length to that approximating
a Spitfire's, and drilled new holes in the hub to match the Spitfire bolt
pattern. Easy. The blades curve a lot more than the stock Spit fan's
blades -- 90 degrees -- but as long as it clears the fanbelt and the lower
pulley, no problem.
Primary reason was to reduce weight. That stock unit is awful heavy, the
6-blade is light plastic. It is light enough, I no longer bother removing
the fan for road racing. I originally had bought a lightweight aluminum
"flex fan" for the weight reduction, but when I got it what I saw were six
spinning knife blades waiting to take a finger off. It just looked like an
accident waiting to happen. The cut-down Corvette fan is just black plastic,
and if I get a finger in that one (haven't so far) I'll get a bruise. Might
even break a fingerbone, but I shouldn't need reattachment surgery. My trick
with the cut-down fan is to paint the ends yellow so I can see it when it is
spinning (otherwise it just blends into the darkness of the black radiator).
--Rocky Entriken
----- Original Message -----
From: "Patrick Caswell" <tr4u@earthlink.net>
To: <n197tr4@cs.com>
Cc: "VTR List" <vtr@autox.team.net>; "Triumph List"
<triumphs@autox.team.net>; "FOT" <fot@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2003 11:23 AM
Subject: RE: 6 Blade fan for Triumph
> List, I am posting this reply, just so the rest of this list can see
> what a great group of people are out here.
> First:
> Joe,
> Thank you so much for the offer. I have a 4-blade fan and the car ran
> hot before the rebuild. I was told to try the 6-blade fan if I could
> find one. No need to apologize for unselfish acts of kindness. You are
> one of the people that make this list so great.
>
> Joe Alexander, in response to my question regarding whether the 6-blade
> fan from an A.H. would fit our TR series cars Not knowing Me from anyone
> else and without hesitation offered to send me one he had in his shop.
> This has to be the best group of people ever assembled. Thank you to Joe
> and everyone who responded to my question. I would also like to
> personally Thank Mark J Bradkis.
> With out all his hard work this list would not be here.
> Thank You All!
>
>
> Patrick Caswell
> 1964 TR4 CT39227L
> Frame off restoration in progress.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: n197tr4@cs.com [mailto:n197tr4@cs.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, January 15, 2003 2:50 PM
> To: "Patrick Caswell"
> Subject: RE: 6 Blade fan for Triumph
>
> I have two of the fans, but they are four blade. The number of blades
> should not make more than a marginal difference in cooling.
>
> But if you need a 6 blade, I'll have to stand down and apologize for my
> memory of what I have.
>
> Your call, my pleasure.
>
> >Joe,
> >If it is not any trouble, I would greatly appreciate the fan. I am
> including
> >my shipping address. If you would let me know how much it will cost I
> will
> >send you the money. Thank you! This list never ceases to amaze me.
> >
> >Patrick Caswell
> >2780 Bubbling Well RD.
> >Riverside, CA 92501-2039
> >
> >Patrick Caswell
> >1964 TR4 CT39227L
> >Frame off restoration in progress.
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: N197TR4@cs.com [mailto:N197TR4@cs.com]
> >Sent: Thursday, January 09, 2003 5:51 PM
> >To: tr4u@earthlink.net
> >Subject: Re: 6 Blade fan for Triumph
> >
> >You could have this one, too. It is just sitting with no where to blow.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >Joe, I was told I could have the AH fan if I pull it off the engine. I
> just
> >thought I would ask the list before I tried to remove it if it would
> fit. It
> >has been outside n the engine for 20 years.
> >Patrick Caswell
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