The 'E' Type Forum

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.
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.
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.
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.

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

Just for info...Fossway switch..on 85 off 78 http://www.fossewayperformance.co.uk/fa ... placement/

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 Works brilliantly. You can swap the old for the new in 30 mins

It’s all we fit.

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 .

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

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.



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



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.





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.

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

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!

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 Works brilliantly. You can swap the old for the new in 30 mins

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.

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.

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