MM Radiator fan?

[StefanoP]

Hello,

I'm taking the MM back home this morning. Last week the mechanics changed the 4 dampers and all the grommets of the suspension, leaf springs, rods etc. I hope that the few 'clunks' still there last time will have disappeared by now. I hope that Newton Commercial will ship soon the complete set of carpets, underflt mats etc that I ordered nearly 1 month ago so I can improve the interior as well!

What worries me is that today it will be fairly hot around here, probably 35-37°C, and I'm not sure if the termo-syphon cooling system of the MM can cope with it. I shall put new antifreeze in for good measure, but I am also wondering if anyone tried to fit an electric fan to the radiator of the MM to cope with extreme heat, and, if anyone did, where did he put the Otter/thermostatic switch for the fan. Thanks for your suggestions!

Stefano

[fussyoldfart]

Greetings Stefano,

My own experience of the early MM is that it is quite well able to deal with high ambient temperatures as long as it is not driven too hard or left too long at idle. The radiator of the MM is very large for the size of the engine, later cars with OHV engines have a smaller radiator. The nice thing about thermo-syphon cooling is that it continues to work even when the engine is shut off. Adding a 50/50 mix of glycol antifreeze is a good idea and, rather than the trouble and expense of an electric fan, I would recommend that you fit a temperature gauge. The temperature gauge sender in my own car is fitted to the top tank of the radiator just by the filler cap. As long as there is enough coolant to reach the bulb of the temperature sender the gauge registers accurately and will alert you to overheating in time to prevent any damage to the engine. If you remember to check the coolant and oil levels every day before you start out you should have no trouble.

Darrell

[oliver-morrisminor]

Hi again Stefeno,
I am yet to run my Series MM but I have fitted an electric fan and as Darrell sugested an electric temp gauge as well.

I had a radiator repair place solder in a fitting for the guge sender just in line with the input of the top radiator hose,
just under the tank. I chose this position for two reasons, firstly so it would measure the temp directly coming from the engine and also that it could not be seen as I also have discretly run the wires down the sides of the radiator.

The fan I have installed is a 10" which I fitted between the grill and the radiator, in which there is more room than the one I fitted to my 1000 but you still need a thin, about 2" thick. I have offset it to one side as the the original engine
driven fan already only covers about half anyway. I have decided to operate this fan manually with a modified wiper
switch sitting just beside the gauge.

Yes, here in Queensland Australia the temperatures regularly get to the mid to late 30's and beyound some days, so in my opinion, for longevity and the security that the fan brings, it is worth it, but I will have to let you know for sure as I get the engine going and I start to drive it during the upcoming Spring and Summer months ahead.

Oli

[StefanoP]

Hello Darrell, Oli,

thanks for your answers. I'd love to see where you welded the fitting for the temp gauge fitting so I can do the same.

I must say that the MM is performing quite nicely even if the outside temperature yesterday was up to 37°C. A really big improvement was the drilling of a hole in the inlet manifold to feed the vacuum advance unit on my Accu-Spark distributor: the car now feels much more lively, fun to drive and keeps up more easily with traffic. It still seems to 'die' when you push the throttle in 4th, trying to reach the top speed, but this, according to the carburettor specialist, is due to the scarce output of the SU pump supplied new by Burlen. Only a trickle of fuel gets out of it....I've bought another one (not from Burlen) and today the mechanics will try it.

Newton Commercial shipped the new carpets, underfelt etc; next week I shall be able to post pictures of the refurbished interior of this lovely little car. Everybody admires it!

Cheers

Stefano

[mike.perry]

A temp gauge sensor can be fitted as low as possible in the header tank or on the later engines the circular boss behind the thermostat can be drilled and tapped to take a sensor

[StefanoP]

Dear Mike,

thank you for your information! I think that this will have to wait until next autumn/winter, now the MM is too much fun to drive to have her dimsantled for this job....

This afternoon I shall collect the MM after the interior refurbishment and the fitting of new carpets all over. I'll put some pics in my site as soon as I can drive it.

I wonder if it is possible to find a set of decent wheels, as mine are not very good, and if any 'modern' steel rim could fit the MM without fitting Minilites or a similar alloy wheels. Thanks!

Stefano

[mike.perry]

The Series MM wheels are not very strong and many are bent, they are also around 60 years old. You are very restricted on the choice of wheels with a 4 1/2 in. PCD.