Cooling fan

[Rackned]

Hi everyone

It’s been a while since my last post and a while since working on my car as the heads gave up and I couldn’t face it. But this week I’ve started to get back to doing something.

I have a number of questions I need some simple advice on. I have read a number of posts but they all seem to be around the point.

First – how do you know the viscous fan is working ok and not worn out?
Second – it looks like fitting a kenlowe fan is an option but what do people generally think
Third – is it worth fitting a PWM and if so any advice on types and can it be linked to temperature increase rather then just off and on.

Lastly I don’t like the ideas of fitting the kenlowe fan to the radiator. Has anyone made a cowl/bracket, if so any advice welcome.

Lots here I know but thanks in advance.

Mark

[garyf]

I have two kenlowe fans mounted in front of my radiator
at a angle on a frame,its also running the original viscous fan as well.
I only have this picture on my phone at the moment, I could try and get a better pic later in the week as the car is in the mother in laws garage the other side of town

[DJT]

With the engine off, spin the viscous fan by hand. It should stop spinning within 2 or 3 blade widths. If it spins freely, it is knackered and needs replacing. Basically this fan unit spins at the same rpm as the engine up to approx 250-2700rpm. Above this engine speed it freewheels, reducing noise.

If in good condition, and your cooling system is not choked, the viscous fan is all you really need. A Kenlowe, or similar, is only a belt and braces backup.

[022Dave]

With the engine off, spin the viscous fan by hand. It should stop spinning within 2 or 3 blade widths. If it spins freely, it is knackered and needs replacing.

At the same time, grab the blades and check it doesn't rock fore & aft on its axis. This also indicates knackeredness, and could end up with the fan slicing into the radiator.

[rwdstag]

Have you got to take the heads off yet ?

Fit an Essex water pump
the best thing in the world never had a stag run so well since fitted
just do things right
back flush the rad
take the water plugs out of the engine and have a good scrape aroundthen back flush

[STypeR]

I don't know that in the UK you need to be that cooling sensitive as the much hotter climates. A healthy viscous as the engineers designed it for the Stag is adequate.
When you get to over 40 degrees (105+ in imperial) that's when a classic cars system is going to be facing an 'acid test". The standard viscous fan is still fine in miles of stop start traffic but remember the viscous fan (and water pump) is turning @ 750 RPM at idle in Drive. That's of course when the engine needs the most cooling and at those temperatures the heat at full sun/full traffic means the road level temperature will soar to over 45 degrees (113 +) and if your Stag has AC that's when electric fans are a must.
Years ago electric fans didn't really have the power of the modern offerings. There are now products that can comfortably outperform a 70's viscous offering for the Stag.
But be very aware that even the best quality manufacturers have in their range what appears to be adequate performance fans for the Stag but its important to look beyond the claimed CFM numbers and check how many amps the fan is rated at. If its not around 20 (plus) amps find one that is.
A 16" unit (mounted on anti vibration bolts/pads to the radiator support panel and not the core) can be made to fit in front of the radiator (as a 'pusher'). Also a (limited size) modern condenser with a fan mounted as per Mark 1 position is available for those that need AC.

[PJB]

I’m happy with the revotec pusher fan. Comes with mounting frame. Easy to fit and adjust. Just in case needed. In reality standard copes fine.

[Phil S]

also remember the fan needs to be as close to the rad as possible to ensure the air is pushed through the rad and not round it.

[Rackned]

Thank you all for your comments.

I think I will get a new VF and fit the knenlowe and make a cowl.

I’ll still look at a PWM has anyone got any ideas?

Mark

[djtaylor]

I’m happy with the revotec pusher fan. Comes with mounting frame. Easy to fit and adjust. Just in case needed. In reality standard copes fine.

I fitted a revotec as an extra. I fully appreciate the "if your cooling system is up to scratch" but even though I know my car's history for all but 1 year, that's not to say that I know if there's any sediment or whatever in the radiator.

The fan was an easy fit one afternoon and helps when needed, I may get the radiator flushed or checked at some other point but right now, there's no need. Maybe when I get round to sorting the heater valve and fitting a header tank.

David

[Matt Cook]

Thank you all for your comments.

I think I will get a new VF and fit the knenlowe and make a cowl.

I’ll still look at a PWM has anyone got any ideas?

Mark

Have you seen these:

https://derale.com/products/electric-fans/fan-controllers/pwm-controller/pwm-fan-controller-push-in-probe-detail

I have a 2 speed kenlowe where I have speed 1 and 2 to come in at different temperatures, if I had a single speed fan I'd be thinking about one of these.

Matt

[stag8manod]

I have a 16" 2spd Kenlowe with a dual temp sensor in the top l/h tank. Both run on auto or can be switched manually. VCS fan removed. Works well. Car Builder have the sensors. I don't think Kenlowe deal with the public any more so Revotec is probably your best option.
Cheers Ian A

[Stagdad]

Took my 16" kenlow off a year ago as it hasn't come on in the 10 years that I had it fitted with a 97 stat fitted in the radiator. Car runs a bit cooler after removing it as it is quite a bulky thing.

[DJT]

Took my 16" kenlow off a year ago as it hasn't come on in the 10 years that I had it fitted with a 97 stat fitted in the radiator. Car runs a bit cooler after removing it as it is quite a bulky thing.

Thinking of doing the same, Steve, for similar reasons. I’ve got an 88-degree stat with a standard cooling system and the Kenlowe fan never comes on even during the heat of last Summer.

[Matt Cook]

Stagdad, DJT,

Are you both running the standard viscous coupling fan too? I only have the electric fan (and an electric water pump). I agree that the Kenlowe fan does look bulky and blocks off some natural air flow, the Revotec fans that I've looked at online don't appear so bulky.

Cheers
Matt

PS It's really important to be sure we are comparing apples with apples! Very well to say x, y or z removed or added but without saying what else the cooling system has it's difficult to compare.