Colling Fan upgrade #2

Talk about the E-Type Series 1
User avatar

Topic author
Andyp_67E
Posts: 45
Joined: Sat May 30, 2020 5:44 pm
Great Britain

#1 Colling Fan upgrade #2

Post by Andyp_67E » Tue Jun 09, 2020 8:16 pm

After taking my car to a specialist (RH Classics in Twyford, Leics.) for some diagnostic work. Richard advised that the existing Kenlow fan mounted in the nose of the car in front of the stone guard was not as effective as it should be, and obviously was of no use when carrying out any work with the bonnet up.
Kenlowe Fan.jpg
Original Kenlowe Fan
Kenlowe Fan.jpg (45.77 KiB) Viewed 4245 times
I was recommended the Revotec kit, but before purchasing I did some research as to what was available.
My options were -
1) Fosseway Fan kit, Nicely engineered but currently over my budget.
2) Revotec kit with Brackets and a thermal switch within an aluminium tube for insertion into the top radiator hose.
3) Spal 14” Fan as used in the Fosseway kit
4) Comex 15.2” Suction fan (P/N FAN0349HP). Supplied with tie-wrap mountings to pass through radiator core and no controller. This is the same fan in the Revotec kit, but cheaper to buy on its own.

I preferred the Comex fan over the Spal fan, (Both suction fans) and could not bring myself to use the tie-wrap method of securing the fan through the radiator core. So I purchased the Revotec kit at the start of Lockdown.
First job was to remove the existing S1 Fan Cowling (This is no longer required), Kenlowe Fan and the wiring to it which unfortunately fed through the compartment under the LHS headlight that the bonnet multi-pin connector wires pass through. So LHS side Headlight trim, glass and sugar scoop very carefully removed for access and all existing fan wiring removed.
IMG_20200519f.jpg
Access to wiring
IMG_20200519f.jpg (27.54 KiB) Viewed 4245 times
The Revotec fan came with some zinc plated mounting brackets, these were painted black to match existing radiator installation. Fitting was straight forward, I had taken the radiator out, but there is no need to, just drain the system, undo the bottom radiator mountings, lift up and slide the slotted lower mounting bracket under the radiator fixings.
I decided to wire the fan using the existing Kenlowe capilliary type thermostat switch and cabin override switch. Keeping the Revotec thermal switch for install at a later date if required.
IMG_20200520_210404.jpg
Fan Installed
IMG_20200520_210404.jpg (215.73 KiB) Viewed 4245 times
The fan is easy to fit and a vast improvement over the old Kenlowe, bringing the engine temperature down much quicker once it is turned on.

Any recommendations from other contributors on how hot to set the thermostat before it kicks in on an E type? The fan is currently set to kick in when the gauge needle is on the RHS of the N which is above the temp it holds on a traffic free run. I know these gauges may not be that accurate, but have no other means of measuring the engine temp.
Andy
1967 Series 1 4.2 OTS
Leicester, UK

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


Ralph
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu May 28, 2020 7:32 am
South Africa

#2 Re: Colling Fan upgrade #2

Post by Ralph » Fri Jun 19, 2020 6:07 pm

Hello from South Africa, where our old cars run hot , high ambient temperature and modern 95 unleaded fuel. My cars (1965 S1 E, 1958 TR 3A and 1969 MGA 1600 ) are ready to go, not just for show, any time of the year. I have modified the cars with with 85/80 fan switches via 35 amp relay, The E fitted with BMW 5 series fan fits neatly into the shroud. I wrote articles for our clubs on this matter, when I did the MGA . I believe it is now on the internet. You Welcome to send me a mail if you cannot find it "cool MG" . . Ralpho.kirsten@gmail.com

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

mgcjag
Moderator
Posts: 8071
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2010 6:15 pm
Location: Ludlow Shropshire
Great Britain

#3 Re: Colling Fan upgrade #2

Post by mgcjag » Fri Jun 19, 2020 6:17 pm

Just for info...Fossway switch..on 85 off 78 http://www.fossewayperformance.co.uk/fa ... placement/
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (just sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


cactusman
Posts: 2332
Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2012 11:09 pm
Location: Hertfordshire
Great Britain

#4 Re: Colling Fan upgrade #2

Post by cactusman » Fri Jun 19, 2020 8:21 pm

For a series 1 with the single two blade pretty useless fan I'd go for a coolkat fan. Straight replacement for the old two blade and fits within the outer fan housing perfectly. Looks almost factory :bigrin: Works brilliantly. You can swap the old for the new in 30 mins :bigrin:
Julian the E-type man
1962 FHC
1966 MGB....fab little car too

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


1954Etype
Moderator
Posts: 2683
Joined: Sat Sep 27, 2008 12:32 pm
Contact:
Great Britain

#5 Re: Colling Fan upgrade #2

Post by 1954Etype » Fri Jun 19, 2020 8:24 pm

It’s all we fit.
Angus 67 FHC 1E33656
61 OTS 875047

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

max-it-out
Posts: 220
Joined: Fri Sep 06, 2019 3:25 pm
Location: South Lincs
Great Britain

#6 Re: Colling Fan upgrade #2

Post by max-it-out » Sat Jun 20, 2020 8:55 am

On a related topic - is it a good idea to fit a manual switch for the fans so as not to be totally reliant on the " Otter " switch , and how easy is it to do ?
I have a spare switch on the dash which would be ideal .
Mark

1968 series 1.5 roadster

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


MarekH
Posts: 1565
Joined: Wed Jul 21, 2010 8:30 pm
Location: Surrey
Great Britain

#7 Re: Colling Fan upgrade #2

Post by MarekH » Sat Jun 20, 2020 10:49 am

It's very easy.
Intercept the black/red wire anywhere convenient and run it back to your new switch.
Ground the other side of the switch.

kind regards
Marek

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

rswaffie
Posts: 1647
Joined: Sat Jul 19, 2014 7:56 am
Location: Lincolnshire
Great Britain

#8 Re: Colling Fan upgrade #2

Post by rswaffie » Sat Jun 20, 2020 10:55 am

Hi,
I’ve just fitted an override switch for my fan. It’s easy on a S1 3.8, probably similar on yours.
I connected a red wire from the fan relay under the header tank and a black earth to a common earth point nearby.

Image

I sheathed the two wires in a black flexible mesh for neatness and routed the wires along the frames

Image

and through the bulkhead with the brake fluid warning wires and back to a flick switch that came with a bracket, mounted under the dash.

Image

Image

I need to put a boot on the red wire spade and make a proper escutcheon label for the switch but I’ve mocked a paper one up in for the time being. Works a treat.
Richard

Previous owner and restorer of a S1 3.8 FHC Opalescent Golden Sand with Tan Trim 889504 (now sold and headed for Athens)

:swerve: :wrench: :hammer: :fingerscrossed:

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

max-it-out
Posts: 220
Joined: Fri Sep 06, 2019 3:25 pm
Location: South Lincs
Great Britain

#9 Re: Colling Fan upgrade #2

Post by max-it-out » Sat Jun 20, 2020 2:45 pm

Excellent , looks quite easy- I`ll give it a try . The fans don`t come on when driving , even on a really hot day , but when stopped , then they do .
I have the rocker switches on the dash , the last one along the line appears to have no function , so I might try and use that one .
Like your engine frames - it all looks like new :salute:
Mark

1968 series 1.5 roadster

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

rswaffie
Posts: 1647
Joined: Sat Jul 19, 2014 7:56 am
Location: Lincolnshire
Great Britain

#10 Re: Colling Fan upgrade #2

Post by rswaffie » Sat Jun 20, 2020 3:57 pm

It sounds like your cooling system is functioning fine - as you described, the fans should only come on when stationary or in slow moving traffic on a hot day.
I finished 99% of my restoration last October (still one or two jobs to finish before I can say ‘job done’) so the paintwork under the bonnet is not too shabby. It could do with a clean after oil leaks/coolant hose failures and 350 miles of running-in dirt. I’m also in south lincs, so might see you out and about at some point!
Richard

Previous owner and restorer of a S1 3.8 FHC Opalescent Golden Sand with Tan Trim 889504 (now sold and headed for Athens)

:swerve: :wrench: :hammer: :fingerscrossed:

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

peters3103
Posts: 485
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2012 7:25 am
Location: Canberra Australia
Australia

#11 Re: Colling Fan upgrade #2

Post by peters3103 » Sun Jun 21, 2020 10:21 am

cactusman wrote:
Fri Jun 19, 2020 8:21 pm
For a series 1 with the single two blade pretty useless fan I'd go for a coolkat fan. Straight replacement for the old two blade and fits within the outer fan housing perfectly. Looks almost factory :bigrin: Works brilliantly. You can swap the old for the new in 30 mins :bigrin:
:yeahthat:
Pete
61 E-Type FHC Opalescent Golden Sand
69 XJ6 4.2 MOD Old English White - one previous owner
16 XE R Sport 25t Polaris White - shopping trolley
63 MGB Roadster Aintree Green - my dads from new

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


cooper66
Posts: 78
Joined: Thu Jul 25, 2013 9:39 am
Location: France
France

#12 Re: Colling Fan upgrade #2

Post by cooper66 » Wed Aug 05, 2020 12:14 pm

I'm interesting as well in the radtec thermo switch kit as it allow to switch on the fan with the temperature you set up. Do you know on which hose it should be fitted for being efficient knowing that this is a 38mm internal diameter ?



I have a cool cat as well this is really efficient in both flow and power consumption.
Attachments
226906e1-f51c-4d33-a896-3089a85e6132.png
226906e1-f51c-4d33-a896-3089a85e6132.png (58.31 KiB) Viewed 3470 times
Pierre

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

Topic author
Andyp_67E
Posts: 45
Joined: Sat May 30, 2020 5:44 pm
Great Britain

#13 Re: Colling Fan upgrade #2

Post by Andyp_67E » Thu Aug 06, 2020 10:14 pm

The fan switch you posted a picture looks the same as supplied in the revotec kit. It fits in the top radiator hose on the LHS. As i said i am still using the kenlowe capillary thermostat inside the same hose, with the kenlowe manual override switch and keeping this as a spare.
I heard good things about the coolcat fan but generally from owners in other countries I could not find a supplier of these fans in the uk.
Andy
1967 Series 1 4.2 OTS
Leicester, UK

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


cooper66
Posts: 78
Joined: Thu Jul 25, 2013 9:39 am
Location: France
France

#14 Re: Colling Fan upgrade #2

Post by cooper66 » Fri Aug 07, 2020 3:35 pm

Cool cat in fact is excellent and very efficient, compared to the other fans the main advantage is the only arround 6/7 amps needed at full speed ... order it directly in US, this is what I did

Thanks for the revotec controller information :salute:
Pierre

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic