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MG MGA - Plastic Radiator Fan?

Has anyone found a plastic radiator fan to fit MGA? I have a '63 3-main 1800 in my '58 A with a 2-row core in the radiator. I tried to use a later model MGB plastic fan but there is no way it will ever fit. The MGA fan seems to sweep back over the hub whereas the MGB fan sits forward of the hub.

Are there any other options?

PS... rather than go into detail on why I want to replace the metal fan with plastic, you can read my full account and see photos of near disaster here: http://www.britishcarforum.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=253887&an=0&page=0#253887
Steve Simmons

That's interesting. It never would have occurred to me to have a cooling fan magnafluxed, but considering the cost of some of the parts that could be taken out by a broken blade, it just might be worthwhile. I'm definitely not interested in putting a plastic and/or electric fan on my MGA, but thanks for the warning.
Del Rawlins

Toyota 4Runners with a plastic fan 90-95 3.0 V6 explode regularly. I have seen 6+ do it, one even broke on a customer vehicle while I was test driving it. Fortunately the extended service policy paid for the damage. When they do it they almost always take out the fan shroud, the radiator, the battery, the ABS unit (if installed), the air filter housing and dent the inside of the hood.
There is a lot of energy in a spinning fan. An electric fan is much safer and uses a lot less energy from the engine, saving gas, increasing power and improving cooling. Unless you have a concourse type car it is good upgrade that is easily done and undone.
R J Brown

And they don't do people any good either, quite a number have been done in by fans. Guys tuning cars get killed/maimed all too often, we had one at our local racetrack a few years ago, blade came off when he revved it up, hit him in the throat. Don't EVER fit a damaged fan or attempt to straighten a bent one!
Forget the details, but I think later B water pumps are shorter, to deal with plastic fan and various different pulleys/spacers. Barney or Doug Jackson probably have the details.
FRM
FR Millmore

I just can't bring myself to install an electric fan. I know they are far superior, but I hate the way they look and sound. But I'm also hesitant to put on a $75 3-pound metal fan that I know won't be perfectly balanced. After driving without a fan at all and seeing how much smoother the engine was, I think I'm done with the metal one.

Here's a question.....

Are fans ever made out of aluminum? Sure it's weaker, but being lighter it would have far less strain on it from centrifugal force.
Steve Simmons

Steve, I BEG your PARDON, but I have an electric fan. Cheap insurance and it comes off very easily. I also need it due to excess heat from the supercharger. I now do not have a problem with heat. I still have a metal fan. Let me know what you find out. I once had a fan break on me and took out the rad. hose. I had to drive home by bringing up the car to 50 or 60 mph then turn the engine off and coast. I was able to drive all the way home without overheating. I am always looking for ways to make my car bullet proof. I shall await to see what you find out.

Cordially,

Me
jeff becker

Oh, I am fully aware that a modern fan is superior to the originals in most aspects. I'm not building a councours car either, but since my MGA belonged to my father, it is important to me that it look, feel, and sound as it did when he was driving it. It is supposed to shake a little. 8^)
Del Rawlins

Steve,

I'm no metalurgist, but I believe that aluminum has less tensile strength than steel, so you'd be going the wrong way.

Why not buy a new or good used fan and have it balanced?

j
JohnB

Steve

You could do the "Judson" mod, and move the radiator forward about 3/4", then you can fit a B fan.

You make up (or buy from George Folchi) two aluminium bars that fit between the radiator bulkhead and the radiator itself, and then bolt through the bars.

Dominic
dominic clancy

There is no room to move my radiator forward. It is already 1/4" from hitting the front shelf. That was my first thought, but there's no way I'm cutting the shelf!

As for a used metal fan, no way!!! A new one, possibly. Who would be able to balance a fan?
Steve Simmons

Any electric motor repair shop (EASA shop) should be able to balance about anything you need balanced...very commonly they have 2-plane dynamic balancing equipment which is perfect for the job. They would have to make up a shaft for to run on the dyno, but that wouldn't be too hard. Total cost should run less than $100 or so.

AJ Mail

Man, $100 plus $85 for a new fan from Moss is getting expensive!

I haven't been able to find a plastic fan with any hope of fitting. I may have to bite the bullet and buy a new metal one. I wonder how much cooler an electric fan would keep the engine. I think a new thread is in order...
Steve Simmons

Steve,
The plastic fan from a B must have the pulley and water pump from the same year (1973-76?) to keep the fan from hitting the radiator, but I don't think the pulleys are available new. If you want to use an electric fan you should have an alternator (more output, especially at idle). The MG Parts Exchange is in November...
Good luck,
Matt
M. H. Dabney

I wonder if someone could produce a strong plastic fan that is of the same pattern as the original fan - that would reslove the fitting issues. Maybe a Kevlar fan or something
J Delk

If I'm not mistaken, the pulley sits flat against the water pump hub and the fan directly on that. So I'm not so sure another pulley would solve the problem. Or perhaps I'm missing something?

Matt, have you seen this setup work?
Steve Simmons

As I said above, the later pump is shorter, uses a different fan, pulley, and a spacer. That setup adds up to equal the length of the earlier system, with the fan and belt in the same position.
FRM
FR Millmore

Oops, I missed that Matt said pump also. I only saw pulley.

I don't believe a later pump can be made to fit a 3-main engine unless I'm misinformed.
Steve Simmons

Steve

I read somewhere that with some judicious grinding, the later pump will fit. Check the B archive.

Dominic
dominic clancy

I have a line on a fan. Anyone know if a Healey 3000 water pump uses the same bolt pattern and/or flange size as a 3-main 1800?
Steve Simmons

Steve
I fitted a yellow plastic fan from a Morris Marina onto my A. It went straight on with the addition of drilling different bolt holes in the plastic to align with the MGA bolt positions. I also added an extra felt strip to the radiator to move it slightly further away from the fan blades. The amount of draught through the radiator is enormous compared with the old MGA metal paddle - even in hot slow moving traffic conditions the water temperature does not go any way near boiling.
J H Cole

Herr Cole
Where did you get the Marina fan?

Dominic
dominic clancy

Dominic
From a car auto jumble - there may be a marina specialist around these days. I got the fixing details off a web site years ago. Some one in the MGA fraternity may have a reference.
J H Cole

Steve, I have a (yellow) plastic 5-blade fan that the PO installed. Works well. I can find out where he got it if you want...maybe from a magnette?
Jim P

Do either of you with the plastic fans have a photo? There is no way I can space my radiator forward, not even a little bit. It is 1/8" from the front shelf right now. I wonder if the MGA water pump sat farther from the radiator than the early 1800? I would think they would measure the same, but don't really know for sure!
Steve Simmons

Aha! I forgot that Steve has an 1800 engine in his A.

The 1800 pump is fractionally longer than the standard A pump, so this is where the spacing issue originates.

I suspect that a plastic Marina fan is the same as a plastic B one, and that it fits in a standard A because of the shorter water pump.

I'll measure a standard A pump later today and let you know what the length is. I have no idea if an A pump will fit an 1800 engine (and ot will also depend on whether you have a 3 or 5 bearing engine too!)
dominic clancy

When this happened to me it caused major damage to the bonnet and the radiator. I found a used fan somewhere but before I installed it I had it magnaflexed to check for cracks. I also had the area where the fan blades begin welded and then ground down to strengthen this area where the metal fatigue occurs. I did the same on the project car as a precaution. If you have your fan off for some reason I recommend that you do have it checked and welded.
David Holmes

Dominic, it's a 3-main 1800. From 1963.
Steve Simmons

OK, sorry for the delay, I had to dig deep in the cellar to find the water pump, which came from a 1622 engine.

From the rear face of the pump (without gasket) to the front of the wheel where the fan mounts is exactly 96mm (sorry I can't measure it accurately in inches)

Dominic
dominic clancy

This thread was discussed between 14/09/2006 and 27/09/2006

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