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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Radiator fan snagging

I am at the latter stages of a complete rennovation of my midget and have hit a major problem!

The 1275 engine was originally in a 1965 Midget, with the original radiator. The bodywork was way beyond repair, so I have used a 1972 body and installed the engine, radiator etc as part of the rennovation.

Unfortunately, while the fan will have clearly operated without any problems when installed in the original midget, it keeps snagging on the radiator when fitted in the '72 body! Are the radiator stays situated in a different position in the '72 body which brings the radiator closer to the fan?

Can anyone offer a solution to my dilemma? (Without having to buy a new radiator!)
R Clayton

I put a 1275 in a Frogeye with the original radiator and got snagging on the front Oil Breather canister. It was well clear of any part of the radiator. I just bent the blades forward slightly.

Do you have a spacer between fan and waterpump pulley?

Rob
Rob aka MG Moneypit

Can you post some photos ???

Im guessing your have a down flow radiator set up ... installed in a 72 which uses a crossflow radiator system ?

If so, that may take just some creativity to make it work...it may need a 1275 cross flow shroud...I dont know

But a cross flow rad , shroud, and pipe from ebay might solve alot of issues

Are you using a 6 blade palstic fan, or the steel 4 blade... that might be an issue im not sure

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Dear Rob
Thanks for responding.

I have removed the spacer between the fan and water pump pulley. It did mean that there was a slight rubbing with the oil breather canister, which I sorted out. I also tried moving the radiator stays forward (they are welded to the cross member) and managed to achieve a 5mm shift, but the fan still snagged!

Bob
R Clayton

Prop
I'm at the Commonwealth Games for this week, so cannot send any photos. However, I do know that the radiator is vertical flow and the fan is a yellow, plastic, 6 bladed type.

Bob
R Clayton

If you're using the earlier vertical flow radiator, it will have a shrouds for the fan. Is that what the fan is catching on?
Dave O'Neill 2

Dave

That's correct. The fan is catching on the upper section/shroud, which is a permanent feature of the radiator.

Thanks

Bob
R Clayton

Have you fitted new engine mounts? It could be that they are slightly thicker than standard hence mounting the engine higher. If you still have the originals and they are in good condition maybe re-fitting these will drop the engine enough.

Rob
Rob aka MG Moneypit

I had that problem too when I tried to fit a plastic 6 blade fan to my frogeye. I switched back to my 2 X 2 blade metal fan and its fine again (easier to bend the metal fan away from the shroud)
Sam Raouf

I have fitted new mounts, but no longer have the old ones!

I could try buying the 2x2 metal fan instead of the current plastic fan.

Thanks

Bob
R Clayton

You could try cutting 1/4 inch off the end of each blade!!!

Rob
Rob aka MG Moneypit

I perfer cutting the plastic 6 blade just use lots of precision

The 6 blade is just a better product and will do a better job with effecany

Or nows the time to install an electric fan...kenlow??

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Why not raise the rad by the same amount that the engine has been raised? Just slot the holes. Or lower the mounts, by slotting the engine mounting bracket holes. Or do both in combination. I wouldn't go cutting the blades personally.
Lawrence Slater

Having just fitted the combination of plastic fan and vertical flow rad, I can confirm that it does work. Raising the radiator a few mm should Kline a good idea to me, just elongate the holes in the rad support with a file, shouldn't take too long to do either.
dominic clancy

I have a 6 blade plastic fan and vertical flow rad with 1275 although its in a frog. It just clears the oil canister without a spacer. I agree with Dominic the rad can move a litle up and down if you slot the lower rad mounting point (depends on how bad the fouling is). I also agree don't cut the fan.
Bob Beaumont

Have you considered ditching the mechanical fan and fitting an electric, thermostatically controlled 'pusher' infront of the rad?
Jeremy Tickle

By all means... if the rad can be adjusted to avoid cutting the 6 blade then do that 1st.

cutting the 6 blade is a last option before going to a 2 X blade fan.

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

It must be the mounts, because I've also got the plastic fan blade with the old type rad on my '66 1275 sprite. Never had a problem.
Lawrence Slater

Another thing to think about
You have used new engine mounts what about gearbox mounts
If there old and a bit flat the engine could be sitting at a slight upwards tilt. It wouldn't need to be a lot to make a few mm difference at the front.
Dave
D Pratt

Thanks for you contributions all!

I also fitted new mounts on the gearbox.

I guess the first thing I need to do is to elongate the holes in the radiator, in order to raise the radiator.

Thanks everyone. I will let you know how I get on when I return from the Commonwealth Games!

Bob
R Clayton

I'm with the suggestion above to remove the fan and fit a kenlowe or similar. I did this and you get couple of extra horses and the fan hardly ever kicks in as these engines run cool. Had mine on for over 10 years with no problems
W Clough

This thread was discussed between 28/07/2014 and 03/08/2014

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