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Additional
cooling fans
Walter Kallenberg (Teal Blue 2131) from Germany is a longstanding V8 member who
provides details of the alternative cooling fan installation he has fitted on
his Factory MGBGTV8.. (Aug 08)
Walter's note says "the fans I have used are made by SPAL in Italy who have
distributors in Germany and the UK. They have a range of fans from 96mm to 385mm
diameter. I have fitted the largest fan on my MG K type
but for the MGBGTV8 I have fitted two 190mm puller fans on the engine side of
the radiator matrix. I have one in the top corner near the top hose where I feel
the coolant will be hotest and the other diagonally opposite below. You need this
layout rather than a large single fan because of the restricted space with the
pulley. I fixed the SPAL fans directly to the radiator matrix using cable ties
through the matrix".
Fitting the SPAL fans flush to the matrix
minimises the spill effect which is a difficulty with the original twin fan arrangement
on the Factory MGBGTV8 with the yellow blades. Even if you set the original twin
fans as close to the matrix as is prudent, there is still spillage because of
the blade design which
limits their effectiveness.
Cooling has been a regular concern for V8 enthusiasts for many years and
it was a topic discussed by a number of V8 enthusiasts at the European Event of
the Year 2008 at Zug in Switzerland in August as the weather was incredibly hot.
Many members mentioned they have fitted an override switch so they are able to
turn on the original twin fans before the bi-metal Otter switch cuts in thereby
avoiding the build up of heat in the engine bay, but in hot weather and slow road
conditions, the heat build up is dreadful. So the option of fitting the twin SPAL
fans either as a replacement or as additional cooling with a manual override switch
is a worthwhile option. | 
SPAL fan fitted close to the
top hose connector on the engine side of the radiator where the coolant is hotest,
the other is diaginally below avoiding the space restriction from the pulley.
Twin SPAL fan set up showing
the diagonal layout. (Photos: Walter Kallenberg)
SPAL website is at www.spal.com
Part
number and fan diameter below TBC shortly |
