Strange Fan !!

Post by **PSL184** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 6:38 pm

Can't remember where this came from and it was a bit manky but after I cleaned some of it up and oiled it I find that the blades are spring loaded and rotate about their mountings by a 1/4" or so. It fits onto a standard Minor spigot. Can't quite read the remains of the label.... Anyone have any more info on it?

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Post by **Matt** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 7:47 pm

Seen these before...

However only for minis, you might find that the fan blades are the wrong way around??

Variable pitch blades, so when then engine is going slowly the pitch is greater sucking more air through, as the engine speeds up the pitch decreases causing less drag and giving a very small amount of extra power.

The second someone says the name it will click... its in the back of my mind.

Post by **PSL184** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 8:03 pm

It can be mounted either way around on the spigot so not a problem.... I'm sure someone will know the name ???

Post by **Matt** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 10:25 pm

you mean just mount the fan so the front is at the back and vice versa? It wont work... think about it ;)

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 10:40 pm

Blows air the same way no matter how you mount it! Looks like it should be ok on a Minor - a great find, and I too 'just' can't remember the name. But - it's a bit of an overkill in our miserable cold climate - although someone in a nice warm dry climate (sounds great!) may be glad of it!

Post by **Paul_May** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 2:04 pm

No if you look at the curvature of the blades it only works one way. Turning it round will make it alot more inefficient and if it's spring mounted it might set itself to the maximum pitch position regardless of engine speed. It would only work turning it around if you could reverse the direction the fan spins.

If you think the blades are supposed to spin say anti-clockwise (assuming it's for a mini and it pushes air through the radiator)
<----

Reversing it means the blade will now face
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which means it'll be spinning backwards to it's design shape.

Post by **PSL184** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 2:50 pm

Yes, I'm confused

The very top part of the label (which you can't read very well) says "To Engine" so I am assuming this means point this side to the engine ??

Post by **Paul_May** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 3:54 pm

Hmm...

Easiest way to see if it would work would be to check if the engine spins in the correct direction. If the fan that's already on there spins clockwise as you look at the engine then that fan you have will pull air through the radiator (if the label "to engine" is fitted so it's facing the engine).

At least that's my best guess from looking at the curvature of the blades from the pictures you've put up. Oh and as long as I've imagined all the rotations etc all correctly in my head too.

Post by **RogerRust** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 6:22 pm

I think I had a fan just like that one on a 948 engine but I've just searched the garage and can't find it. I thought it was a standard item.

Perhaps I threw an antique away!

Post by **PSL184** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 6:48 pm

It might have come from you in the first place Rog

Post by **MarkyB** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 7:07 pm

If that label says to engine it should work fine on a Minor.
Probably a good idea to introduce some lubrication into the junction between blade and boss to free things up.
The idea of this fan seems sound as the standard one does nothing useful once you get moving. In fact it wastes energy.

Post by **PSL184** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 7:53 pm

Its all been stripped, painted, oiled and reassembled now.... I'll be trying it out when the 1275 goes in..... Thanks all for the responses.

Post by **leyther8008** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 2:10 pm

I,ve got an American fibreglass 'Flexolite' fan on my minor originally specified for a midget it really does twist when you rev the engine up but you have to have the old type front pulley fitted not the harmonic balanced one otherwise the two hit.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 10:44 pm

I didn't say it 'should' be mounted either way round - just that it will still move air the same direction whichever way round it is fitted. However - yes it will be more efficient the 'right' way round. Even on a 1275 (unless highly modified) it will be an overkill in winter, but may be handy in summer.

Post by **catswhisker** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 3:38 pm

My first posting, bear with me , new to all this but taking the plunge as I can help with this

It's a DOWTY AUTOFAN, from the sixties. there were 2 types,
one for Minis and one for Minors / A35s etc.

I dont have first hand experience but remember seeing them in old car
magazines of the period.

CW

Post by **PSL184** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 4:10 pm

Great help, thanks.... First Post and First Prize also

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:35 pm

There is also another version called a Clovafan

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 9:32 pm

Ahh yes -Dowty!! Well done. But - is this one for a Minor - or a Mini!!!

Post by **PSL184** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 9:35 pm

Who knows !!