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From: Andrew Mace
Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 1997 4:49 AM
To: Tom Leake
Cc: 'triumphs@autox.team.net'
Subject: Re: Electric Cooling Fans
On Tue, 12 Aug 1997, Tom Leake wrote:
> ...A viscous clutch also has the
> advantage of being fail safe. I am not aware of one that would fit the
> TR range....
Aack. Now I'm drawn into the discussion. :-)
Two points about what Tom has said. First, "fail safe" is a questionable
term. These clutches can disintegrate, allowing the fan to flail wildly
around in front of the engine until they determine the most expensive
final resting place -- usually the radiator core on a Volvo.
I don't doubt that it happens to some of them. The Chrysler design I am most
familiar with usually just get very noisy (you know there's a problem), then
they stop being disengaging. Never seen or heard of one coming apart.
Second, some mid-1970s Spitfires did use a viscous clutch setup,
suspiciously similar to one used on Volvos of the period.
To me, if one must add something beyond the original "solid" mounted fan,
an electric is far more preferable. I've yet to see one of those free
itself from its moorings; even when/if they do, being plastic they're
likely to do less damage.
Now to back OUT of the discussion again....
Sorry to drag you in, Andy. It is amazing how that can happen
Tom
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