Does an electric fan actually fit ?

[paulhumphries]

Today I had a look at my spare front panel and can't see there is enough room to fit an electric fan of any type in front of rad
I've a Peugeot unit which is almost as slim as any of the aftermarket items (Pacet, Kenlowe, SPAL) but there is no way it'd fit.

Anyone ever fitted an electric fan in front of standard radiator and behind the grill ?

I dont want to waste money on a new aftermarket item only to find that the grill needs cutting or rad relocating.

Thanks.

Paul Humphries.

[jonathon]

It should fit on the back of the rad, if the original fan is removed, in which case you will need to make it a 'sucker'.

[paulhumphries]

It should fit on the back of the rad, if the original fan is removed, in which case you will need to make it a 'sucker'.

Problem is I need to move engine forward for an auto transplant and thus there will be less room between engine and rad than standard.

Paul Humphries.

[bmcecosse]

You could maybe angle the rad back just slightly - or I have seen conversions that used a Mini rad stood up at one side. Otherwise - consider an array of largish computer type fans strung along the front of the rad - you will only need them when idling in traffic - should be ok when moving.

[jonathon]

Paul, I have a selection of Kenlowe fans in stock, if you could let me know how far forward you need to move the motor I will test some out for you.
BM would the computer fans be water resistant enough for this positioning and what CFM would you expect a particular size of fan to generate.

[plastic_orange]

I bought a 10 inch fan for son's minor and am fitting it in front of rad - I will however have to modify the upright brackets on the grille to allow it to fit properly.

Pete

[IslipMinor]

A 9" Spal fits in front of the radiator with no mods at all. Cools our 1380 (without engine fan) in any conditions, including getting stuck on the M25 on the record 100°F (38°C) day a few years ago -more that could be said of a number of modern cars boiling merrily on the hard shoulder.

[bigginger]

But does yours have the engine moved forward?

[bmcecosse]

If it's in front of the rad - it doesn't matter where the engine is ! Have no idea about cfm of computer fans - it's was just an idea - I haven't tried it - but you don't need much when idling.

[IslipMinor]

Paul,

So long as the radiator is in the standard position and the grille is also standard, the Spal 9" will fit. Make sure you mount it as low as possible, to avoid contact with the bonnet catch, when it closes.

I bought mine from a Spal agent - M Phillips. Very helpful. You will need a mounting kit as well, a Spal pin kit was £2.00 + VAT 5 years ago. This is a link to him:

http://www.mphillips.co.uk/index.htm Tel: 01823 273060

I don't know about the straight bladed version, but the curved one definitely is either suck or blow, not reversible.

I started with a Spal 7" and it was a bit marginal, so went for the higher performance version (curved blades) of the 9" to be sure. The total cost including pin kit, postage and VAT was £50.

[bigginger]

If it's in front of the rad - it doesn't matter where the engine is ! Have no idea about cfm of computer fans - it's was just an idea - I haven't tried it - but you don't need much when idling.

Still probably best to have a fan that works, not one that has failed due to water getiing at it, I would have thought.

[Wal]

Hi,
as well as a large kenlowe for the Rad. I have two small air con fans(essentially the same as computer fans) to blow air through my oil cooler (right at the front of the engine bay) and they've been on there for years and don't appear to suffer from water damage. The only thing is they don't blow particularly hard so I don't think they'd work well for the Rad.

Regards,
Wal