Had a similar fan experience in a rootesmobile once. On a self initiated
speed trial, got to 5000 rpm and heard an almighty bang, and noticed the
ignition light on. Pulled over, and there was a whopping great hole in the
bonnet. Opened it to find the rest of the fan and part of the water pump
through the radiator, obviously snapping after the blade had broken sending
it way out of balance. The broken blade had gone completely through the
bonnet and disappeared. There has apparently been a few fatalities from fans
disintegrating so beware when leaning over the engine and revving it.
Looking at the remaining part of the fan, I could see the fatigue cracks,
and it had obviosly been partly broken for a little while before hand.
Greg
----- Original Message -----
From: Patrick Wheeler <pwheeler(at)ix.netcom.com>
To: <alpines(at)autox.team.net>
Cc: <ritchie(at)mcn.org>
Sent: Saturday, 4 March 2000 20:07
Subject: RE: electric fan
> I recently had the opportunity to have more experience than I would have
> cared to with my electric fan. I was running the stock four bladed SV fan
> that does not push very much air. Due to cooling problems I had ordered
an
> electric fan and installed it in front of the radiator (almost all
> aftermarket fans are reversible so as to be pusher or puller as needed).
> Worked great in heavy traffic when the four blade was not enough, flip the
> switch and the extra boost in air flow would bring the temp almost right
> back to the center of the gauge. I wanted it cooler, but it worked pretty
> good and I had already had a the three core radiator business done so I
> figured I had to live with it.
>
> There is a reason everyone says replace your olde four bladed fan. Mine
> broke a blade and punched a nice hole in my newly painted hood. Pulled
> broken fan out, replaced shredded return radiator line and tried to fit
hood
> back down and was left with just the electric fan.
>
> Have been driving like this for almost a month (+-?). In almost all
> conditions, if the car can move consistently at over 30 mph no fan is
needed
> at all (ambient air in 60 - 75 degrees F). If I get stuck in traffic I
have
> to flip the switch, driving on city streets with stoplights, flip the
> switch. I have a thermostat that can bring it on automatically, but have
> not gotten around to installing it yet. It works almost _exactly_ the
same
> as when I had the fan, I guess the four bladed fan (in addition to being a
> hazard) is about worthless!
>
> I have not felt any Horsepower increases (or decreases Jarrid :-). It is
> still peppy and when I turn the fan on it does not feel any less or more
> peppy. Maybe an expert driver could tell the difference, I cannot. If
you
> are racing and want every extra little erg you can get, certainly, install
> the electric fan, once you get up to speed, kill it and let the natural
air
> flow keep you cool.
>
> I still intend to install a fan, maybe I am just a traditionalist, but
need
> to order a spacer and have not gotten around to it.
>
> My recommendations: Install in on the front of the radiator as a pusher,
it
> is almost invisible and a relatively simple install (at least on a late
SV),
> and it you have any four bladed fans, throw them out!(at)(at)#^%*
>
> -Patrick
> SV, Richmond, CA
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-alpines(at)autox.team.net
> [mailto:owner-alpines(at)autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Armand & Lorie Ritchie
> Sent: Friday, March 03, 2000 11:34 AM
> To: robert nanzig; alpines(at)autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: electric fan
>
>
> Rob, I think some people have put the fan on the outside of the radiator.
> Of course it has to be a pusher then. But some fans can be reversed to
> work that way.
>
> Regards
> Armand
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > In an effort to cure my cooling woes I bought an electric fan for my
> >Series 5. I would like to use it as an auxiliary to the original but I
> >don't know if the 2 3/8" depth will clear the existing 6 blade. ( the
> >radiator and water pump are removed from the car at this time ) Could
> >someone measure the clearance on their car and let me know if there is
> >enough room for both?
> > I read somewhere that you can add about 5 horsepower to your engine
> >by eliminating the pulley fan and just run electric. Could this be true,
> >have any of you done it and can you feel the difference?
> >
> >Rob Nanzig
> >67SV
>
> ritchie(at)mcn.org
> Armand & Lorie Ritchie
>
>
>
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