V8S radiator woes

[Deadfast]

For the third time the (expensive) alloy rad on my V8S has been holed by the centre of the fan. The rad was originally fitted by Dulfords, who then fitted a replacement when the first one was holed within a few weeks. I was assured that it would be fine, but it was holed again shortly afterwards. By this time Dulfords had gone under, but luckily (?) the rad was not too far gone to repair. However, it’s happened again, and my car is presently stranded in my garage. I don’t know whether vibration of the engine is causing the silicon pipework to bash the fan shoving it on to the radiator, or whether it has simply been fitted too close to the rad, but it’s now costing me hair as well as money!

Realistically, is there a different way of fitting the fan so that it cannot, under any circumstances, strike the rad? For example, how about fitting it at the front, fitting two smaller ones??

Cheers!

[mikel003003]

I don't know the set up on the v8 but my s1 fan is held onto and away from the rad in its own housing, IIRC your not that far from me and my rad and fan set up is currently off the car you are welcome to come and have a look at it. I may well use a alloy rad when it goes back together might try and modify an alternative.

[phillpot]

Deadfast said:

Realistically, is there a different way of fitting the fan so that it cannot, under any circumstances, strike the rad?

Wouldn't have thought that would be too difficult. For a "quick fix" how about a small disc of alluminium glued to the rad so if it does for whatever reason get a bit close the disc takes the wear not the rad?
(i'm presuming the centre boss is catching rather than the blades wearing a large circle)

Deadfast said:

how about fitting it at the front

That's where it is on my S3

Deadfast said:

fitting two smaller ones?

It's an option

[whitewolf]

Slightly different but possibly a fix - my Taimar has the low wide type, I fitted 2x 8" fans directly to the rad, with a fitting kit (tie wraps?!) and the fan cowlings hold the blades back from the rad to never catch.


(8" due to rad height (fit perfect) and two because I could. )

[Deadfast]

Thanks guys, food for thought all round there...

[Deadfast]

v8s4me posted this last year, so might look into this a bit further.

[mohitos]

Yes, two 10" Kenlowes is definitely possible on a V8S. Here's my car:

Edited by mohitos on Tuesday 9th April 20:40

[Barkychoc]

Matt I can't remember how your fan mounted but is there any scope to use longer bolts and pack the mountings with a load of washers so it is further away from the rad?

I remember that first pinhole I found well :-(

Chris

[SJS357]

RT sorted these out for me during the rebuild.

[Scoobimax]

So after the brake porn threads, we're on to rad / fan porn now

[mohitos]

Had some problems posting photos earlier - have sorted them above.

[v8s4me]

Why was your fan mounted on the back of the rad? All V8S ones are on the front and blow. Do it Simon's way - simpler than my frame method. You could also rig one fan to come on independently if you think it might over-cool. My pair seem to be OK though. I suppose the otter switch just switches them on and off a bit more frequently. Consider fitting a stone guard made from 1/4" mesh to protect he fans and rad.

Edited by v8s4me on Tuesday 9th April 21:02

[mohitos]

Agree, that is probably the problem. I had quite a lengthy conversation with Kenlowe over fan suitability. You want blowers (front mounted) rather than suckers (rear mounted).

[SJS357]

Scoobimax said:

So after the brake porn threads, we're on to rad / fan porn now

What next.........

[Scoobimax]

mohitos said:

You want blowers (front mounted) rather than suckers (rear mounted).

Aren't early S's front mounted blowers (S1) and later ones rear mounted suckers (S2/3/4)?

Why was the design changed by TVR? Presumably an issue identified / prevented?

[Barkychoc]

I thought it was the other way round?

Matts rad and fan was fitted by dulfords and I spent a while trying to find a coolant leak.
In the end I removed the fan and the central spindle had rubbed a pin hole in one of the fins.

Thinking about it a plastic fan assembly with a heavy ish motor stuck in the middle behind the rad is probably never going to work - every big bump encountered will cause the fan assembly to flex and probably contact the rad.
throw in chassis flexing and the radiators own movement (evidenced by so many radiators failing in the bottom corners) and the rad really does need to be on the front with the angle on the S.

[phillpot]

Other way round I think, S1 sucked and later cars blowed


The S1 fan housing I've seen covered the whole radiator so only air flow was through fan, whether running or not. On my S3 the fan is in a round "duct" leaving rest of radiator clear giving far better air flow at speed when fan is not required.

Worst picture ever....................

[Deadfast]

Barkychoc said:

Matt I can't remember how your fan mounted but is there any scope to use longer bolts and pack the mountings with a load of washers so it is further away from the rad?

I remember that first pinhole I found well :-(

Chris

Hello mate,

Hope you're well. Done about 100 miles since you waved off the lowloader... One day


Simon, Stuart, like the front arrangement a lot. One fan fitted to the override switch makes sense as well.

Great stuff chaps, thanks.

[Scoobimax]

Barkychoc said:

I thought it was the other way round?

Oops - yes you're right. Just looked at my recent pics following my rad re-core.

[mohitos]

Deadfast said:

Hello mate,

Hope you're well. Done about 100 miles since you waved off the lowloader... One day


Simon, Stuart, like the front arrangement a lot. One fan fitted to the override switch makes sense as well.

Great stuff chaps, thanks.

Kenlowe do an override switch which I've used but it runs both fans. IIRC the output measured in airflow of 2 x 10" fans is only very fractionally higher than a single 12" (or is it 13") which I think is the standard size they have. You can see the outputs here:

http://www.kenlowe.co.uk/fans/consumers/fans-cpc.h...

The benefit of 2 x 10" fans is that it covers more surface area of the rad so should offer better cooling.

Had a very long and detailed chat with Kenlowe over whether to go with one or two fans myself. When the fans push, depending on the density of your rad, the smaller the fan the less able it is to cope with resistance - so there is also an argument to say that one 12" fan deals with the resistance better.

With an aluminium rad though the resistance doesn't seem to be such a factor.

Plus the twin fans look cooler, obviously ;-)