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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Plastic Fan with downflow radiator

My memory is failing me. Is there any clearance issues using a yellow plastic fan with a down flow radiator?

Trevor Jessie

I had one on my Frog with a 1275 and the original radiator and I didn't have any clearance problems. I did have a problem with the fan self-destructing until I replaced it with an all metal one from an Austin America. And then I took that off when put in an electric fan. Gained a whole 1/2 horsepower.
Martin Washington

Trevor

I've just been negotiating that one. I was assured (by MGOC) that the plastic fan does not fit the down/vertical flow radiator and the correct metal ones are no longer available new.

I managed to get hold of a correct second-hand two-piece metal fan which fits within the radiator shroud from Andy Jennings (http://www.mg-cars.org.uk/andyjennings/).

There was still a clearance issue with the timing chain cover breather canister. Fortunately my old fan had a thick spacer which helped but I still needed to add an extra square spacer as per the photo to be sure of clearing the canister.

The one in the photo is currently on a "well-known auction site" for £14.95 but I've seen them with asking prices as high as £40 for shabbier ones than this.

The tab washer is essential - don't ask me how I know! - and the part number shown on MGOC and Moss websites is wrong - they are for the MGB and don't fit the Spridget. I made my own four-tab washer like the square spacer, so with that and a good dose of Loctite I'm hoping mine is properly secure now.

Sadly these are all U.K. references but I'm sure you'll be able to get something suitable on your side of the Pond.

C


Colin Mee

I have a plastic fan on my 1275 frog which has a vertical flow rad. The clearance to the oil canister is very tight but no other problems.
Bob Beaumont

No problem.
Had one for years on mine
Onno K

When I used a plastic fan it rubbed itself a clearance space on the trailing edges of the blades fairly quickly

The canister didn't get harmed in the re-structuring although the paint got slightly shinier


:)

At the time I fitted it I hadn't heard that clearance was an issue but it did just touch the back edge

(I think that fan is working on a very pretty Frogeye these days since I now run an MGB electric fan)
Bill sdgpM

Hi

In response to Colin's point about non-availability of the 4 blade metal fan, how about using a Mini special tuning 2 blade metal fan (part number 2A997 - available from Minispares, Somerford Mini etc) and two can be used to make 4 blade fan if required.

The 2 blade fans were an early tuning trick on Minis to reduce horsepower loss when racing (less good in traffic!), initially by using a two blade fan from very early Minis then the factory produced this as a special tuning part when the standard cars got four blade metal fans (then later multi blade plastic fans).

Cheers
Mike

ps I think the additional metal part Colin refers to is a 2A803
M Wood

Mini and similar transverse-engine fans are made to blow air away from the engine, through a port in the inner fender panel. In a Spridget, this will result in air being blown from the engine compartment forward through the radiator and out the grill opening!

IIRC someone on this board had a car that would idle happily in traffic, but would overheat on the open road. He eventually traced the problem to a Mini fan.

- Bill
Bill Gavin

Yes the single blade fan for a spridget is AEA 301.
Bob Beaumont

This thread was discussed between 23/03/2016 and 25/03/2016

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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