[Spridgets] Spridgets Digest, Vol 53, Issue 21

[Lee Fox]

Don,
The viscous fan clutch really does work well, but as you know, when they 
start to wobble they need to replaced quickly before they send the fan 
through the bonnet or radiator. The problem is that they are expensive 
($160 plus $25 for the sleeve to install.)

The solid Spitfire fan also works very well and shouldn't be terribly 
noisy or a significant power hog. However to make the switch you need a 
new water pump ($50) and fan ($50) or only about $85 less expensive.

I personally do not recommend an electric fan as a substitute in your 
situation. The under hood temps with the 1500 and single ZS with cat 
converter are too great in traffic with a fan that starts and stops. It 
really calls for a continuous flow of air to keep things under control.

I also have a 1979 Midget and when my fan clutch started to get the 
death wobble, I was lucky enough to find an entire engine with good 
clutch for less than either other option. It may not last forever, but 
neither will I. Plus I have lots of spare parts.
Lee

On 10/13/2011 9:09 AM, spridgets-request at autox.team.net wrote:
> Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:56:26 -0700
> From: Don Herrick<dbherrick at gmail.com>
> To:spridgets at autox.team.net
> Subject: [Spridgets] 1500 fan clutch
> Message-ID:
> 	<CAF+cp7BbLLCwfjXwqK9TkgSZawcoP+PT5UZxz20Yz_S0SDphZw at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> For the 1500 engine, what is the conventional wisdom regarding the factory
> fan clutch?  Mine is failing and I see where some recommend replacing the
> water pump/fan clutch and fan with the solid pump and fan from the 1971-74
> Spitfire.  I read that the UK Midgets all use this setup and I like how that
> solution should be much more reliable but I am concerned about the possible
> downsides.  Is it much noisier than a working fan clutch?  Is there a power
> loss?  (I don't think I have a lot of power to spare!)
>
> Don
> 1979 Midget