Don, I have listened to the arguments pro and con about the Texas Kooler for
the last several days, and I've heard the same arguments on the list before.
I usually try to stay out of these disagreements because they seem to
degenerate into personal rancor in a hurry, unfortunately.
However, I just took your test, and the blades on my Kooler do not move
perceptibly fore or aft at any engine speed. You and Alan may just have got
some Koolers from a bad lot if your blades flex enough to see it.
I installed the Kooler on my BJ8 in November, 2000 (35,000 miles ago) and
have never had a problem with it. The multiblade metal fans I used before
all made an objectionable whine that the Kooler doesn't have.
When I installed the Kooler, I did find that it was hitting the radiator
header tank but then I also discovered that I had neglected to remove a
spacer on the waterpump shaft. I don't know if this was a part of the stock
fan installation or one of the multiblade fans I used, but once I removed it
I had at least 1/2" clearance to the header tank. It works for me, and I am
happy with it. YMMV.
Steve Byers
HBJ8L/36666
BJ8 Registry
Havelock, NC USA
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-healeys@autox.team.net
[mailto:owner-healeys@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Don
Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2006 9:35 AM
To: Healeys
Subject: Take the texas kooler test. (perform at your own risk)
So you really want to know what a texas kooler can do to a radiator. I
have found that seeing the flex in action can make you a believer.
Find a car with the texas kooler installed. Open the bonnet, start the
engine and let it get to operating temperature. Now use your hand to
increase throttle to about two thousand RPM, let off and then goose it
up to about five thousand RPM. If you hear the tips hitting the
radiator at this point let off before it is too late. If it didn't hit
the radiator at this point you will surely be aware just how far forward
the fan flexes.
Now find a healey with a stock, Dennis Welch or 90 degree flex fan from
the Nocks and perform the same experiment. You should now know exactly
why you don't want a texas kooler on your healey.
I have heard that you can fix the texas kooler by cutting up to an inch
off the tips but as far a jerry is concerned the only failure is
mechanical ineptitude. Seems strange that the known healey shops sell a
dependable product yet a professional mechanic such as jerry sells you
junk.
Happy Healeying,
Don
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