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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Remove Support upright from Front Panel Assembly?

(Mk1 midget with 1275)

I currently have an electric fan fitted up snug to my radiator, but to remove it I have to take out the radiator, because the electric fan will not pass through the gap in the front panel.

Plan is to cut out the support upright to enable this activity, but I guess I need to either put it back or install an alternative support.

Initial thoughts are to simply add a steel plate to either end, drill holes and bolt it back on.

Any better ideas / suggestions?

(Cooling issues might all be solved anyway once I fit the brand new radiator!)
Tim Carter

I would drill out the spot welds to remove it and then use the holes that had spot welds in them for countersunk head UNF threaded screws. Not that I've ever tried this but years ago found that the support didn't do much as it had rusted through either at the top or the bottom.

Someone else may have a better approach.
Daniel

I did exactly that when I reinstated that support.

I previously took it out, and installed an electric fan from a dastun cherry. It had a strong pressed steel frame and I mounted just to the rear of the main bonnet catch, which put the support back.

You do need that support, otherwise the front panel gets gradually depressed each time you shut the bonnet.

Then I removed the electric fan, when I converted to the later more efficient radiator.

Rather than make that support upright a permanent fixture, just in case I wanted to take it out again, I've welded captive nuts in, and use screws top and bottom.

anamnesis

Or if you want to retain the support you could consider removing the mechanical fan (if not already done),reposition the electric fan on the inside of the radiator - making it a puller rather than a pusher and reverse the wiring so it spins 'backwards'.
Appreciate the blades are designed for pushing but in practice I've found it makes little difference with the Mini Revotech in mine - there is a veritable hurricane when it cuts in and cools the engine very effectively.
Jeremy MkIII

Am I being thick, or is that wrong Jeremey? Possibly I'm being thick. Lol.

But:--

As you say, moving it behind the radiator, the fan spins still in the same direction, and pulls air in through the radiator from behind, instead of pushing it through the front of the radiator.

Surely if you then reverse the wiring, causing it to spin in reverse, it becomes a pusher, attempting to push air *out* through the radiator, against the force of air being driven through the front of the radiator by the movement of the car.

I'm thick or correct? 🤣

anamnesis

Anam, dont think Jeremy is wrong as I assume you have to turn the fan round to mount the flat side against the rad.

Trev
T Mason

Ah. I imagined it was just being transferred to behind in the same orientation. -- Didn't say it wasn't. Lol.

But that explains it then. 😁.

anamnesis

Thanks, you're correct Trev, the orientation is changed when it's repositioned behind the rad.
Jeremy MkIII

Thanks all, when I do it, which might be a while yet (a lot of work to do at the other end of the car...), I will come back with photos and my solution.
Tim Carter

This thread was discussed between 24/09/2024 and 27/09/2024

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