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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Fan Blade removal

After my airborn excursion last Sunday, I need to remove (and replace)my fan blade. It's the 1275 yellow 6 bladed type but fitted to a downflow rad with a cowl.
Can I remove and refit the blade without disturbing the radiator and how tight do the four bolts have to be?
I've looked in the archives but can't seem to find the answer and although I'll find out when I try do do it, I'd prefer to know in advance.
Ta.
Gary
G Lazarus

Simple answer... No.

Well not on mine I couldn't.

Tightness of bolt, I nipped them up until they felt tight, I didn't overtighten them but I did put spring washers and plate washers under them so they wouldn't work loose.

HTH

Andrew
Andrew McGee

Someone with Pixie fingers might manage but I had to whip out the rad last time I had a fan to remove :) the cowling just got in the way from all directions.

Tight 'finger tight' for the screws though, probably about 7lbs/ft.

I suppose you have the 1275 chain cover with the canister that gets in the way when trying to get at the screws :(

You may find a spacer behind the fan unit too, I seem to remember one on mine, if so don't forget to replace it.

I take it the minor damage (huh?) didnt stop you driving home...



I have a med appt on the 8th but may be driving down to t'Ace afterwards, is it not a midget event that night?

My mate Dave said yesterday he'd seen it in a magazine.
Bill1

Thanks Andrew and Bill,

The earth that got forced up into the engine bay snapped off three of the blades, though it ran ok temp wise even through Central London (it was a cold day though). I'm more worried about any potential vibration problems rather than cooling problems.

Yes the 8th is Midget & Sprites (and lots of other classics) at the Ace on the 8th. Hope all goes well at the med appointment. Hope to see you then.
G Lazarus

Agree, no!
I seem to recall spending a long time with a small ratchet combination spanner, undoing the bolts only to find that although loose, they were too long to withdraw because of the radiator! Unless that was on something else? Not so sure now, its a long time ago.
Guy

I could not do it either with mt 6blade fan and verticalflow rad.

Drain and remove is the way to go!
Onno K

It's something that you cannot leave, the out of balance fan will in time damage the water pump bearing. So grasp the nettle and remove the rad, it's not that difficult
P Ottewell

Gary,

Airborne? what happened and did you wear your new helmet

Flip

Flip Brühl 948 frog 59

Hi Flip,

See this thread for an explanation
http://www2.mgcars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=mgbbs&mode=thread&access=&subject=110&source=T&thread=2012042219231521477

I borrowed a helmet and gloves for this event.

Will I see you in June at Le Mans?
G Lazarus

I agree with the others Gary, I have a six blade fan and downflow rad and cowl on my 1275 frog and there is no way you can get the fan off without taking out the Rad. While its off its easy to get to all the other bits like the fan belt, by pass hose, water pump etc so good to check those too.

I just nipped my bolts up. I don't think I have ever seen a torque setting.........!
Bob Beaumont

Thanks everyone. I'll have a bash this evening when I get home from work, as I intend to use the car tomorrow.
The new stick on number plate has also arrived. I feel the new aerodynamic and weight saving package (stick on number plate rather than the number plate plinth) has got to be worth at least 25mph faster on top speed :0)
G Lazarus

Easy to remove the rad, but I think I have read of others who do it by removing the water pump instead. Seems a more troublesome job to me, but maybe not?
Guy

Rad removed, fan replaced and it went like a dream. I don't know if it's because I've got some of Daniel's special hoses, but although the bottom hose was a bit stubborn comming off, it popped back on like a dream, with a tiny bit of lubrication.
Thanks for the advice, I can confirm that it would have been nigh on ipossible to have done it with the rad in situ.
G Lazarus

This thread was discussed between 26/04/2012 and 27/04/2012

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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