Gavin :
First of all, the fan only helps at low speeds, below about 40 mph. If your
engine runs hotter than where the thermostat opens at speeds above that, you
have a different problem. However, I've heard that mounting electric fans
as 'pushers' can interfere with the normal air flow (which is marginal
anyway on a TR3A), so perhaps that is the problem.
I've used an ordinary Hayden electric fan for many years, never had a
problem with the fan itself. Found it on sale at Pep Boys. Don't recall
the size offhand, but it's just big enough that the edge of the housing
rests on the frame around the radiator core. It uses the plastic "through
the fins" mounts, which likewise have never been a problem for me (although
they did have to be replaced when I had the radiator repaired). I'm told
that it's important to center the mounts between the tubes, so they cannot
touch the tubes.
I did have some overheating problems for awhile, brought on I believe by an
accident with a floor jack that partially crushed the lower radiator tank.
The radiator shop I took it to said my core was likely beyond salvage, and
instead they installed a new Modine core, using my old tanks and frame. I
opted not to have the crank hole made, since I don't have a crank dog
installed anyway, but it was available. With the new core installed, I have
no overheating problems at all (well, except when I forget to turn the fan
on while stopped in traffic). I don't use water wetter, the bypass is not
plugged (although I tried that before, it didn't seem to help), the
thermostat is an ordinary 180F RobertShaw, and I get by even in outdoor
temperatures well over 100F.
I do have the grill slats opened up a bit, just some careful work with
linesman's pliers, don't know if that made a difference or not. It
certainly could, and several other people have reported that it did for
them. I was just straightening it out after some a**hole SUV owner backed
into it.
Oh, and I do have the cardboard air deflector installed, even though I don't
believe it was original for my (relatively) early TR3A. I'd like to redo it
in sheet aluminum someday.
Randall
59 TR3A daily driver TS39781LO
63 Sports 6 rustoration project HB7826LCV
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