Paul H Posted August 21, 2023 Report Share Posted August 21, 2023 I fear going into traffic jams with my mk 2 Vitesse as the mechanical temp gauge will climb to over 100 and at times up to 115 especially on a hot day and having driven for a few hrs . I have the standard fan fitted . I’ve flushed the engine and have a new radiator, heater matrix and heater diverter mechanical switch . All hoses are new with a recent conversion to silicone . Once on the move the guage quickly drops back to 85 to 90 range. Would having an electric fan improve cooling in traffic jams ? Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTV8 Posted August 21, 2023 Report Share Posted August 21, 2023 2 hours ago, Paul H said: Once on the move the guage quickly drops back to 85 to 90 range. Would having an electric fan improve cooling in traffic jams ? Paul Yes, the electric fan will give you airflow through the rad even with a stationary car (assuming you mount it nice and close to the rad to ensure it the airflow goes where you want it!) ...... Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Posted August 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2023 Just now, AndyTV8 said: Yes, the electric fan will give you airflow through the rad even with a stationary car (assuming you mount it nice and close to the rad to ensure it the airflow goes where you want it!) ...... Andy Thanks Andy . Any advice on fan spec ? Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTV8 Posted August 21, 2023 Report Share Posted August 21, 2023 3 minutes ago, Paul H said: Thanks Andy . Any advice on fan spec ? Paul i'm not sure for the 6-cylinder rad i'm afraid - i have an 11" SPAL fan fitted to my TR4, with the engine-mounted fan extension removed there is enough room for a 'puller' fan mounted on the engine side of the rad on the rad itself (i have tabs on the rad for the mounting). I'm not sure on the favoured mounting of the Vitesse but i'm sure others will have some wise ideas. ...... Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daverclasper Posted August 21, 2023 Report Share Posted August 21, 2023 Hi Paul. Are you sure the gauge is accurate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted August 21, 2023 Report Share Posted August 21, 2023 Yes Paul the normal Vitesse rad cap with 7psi rating by my calculations will lift at about 111 degrees C... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted August 22, 2023 Report Share Posted August 22, 2023 11 hours ago, Paul H said: Would having an electric fan improve cooling in traffic jams ? only if its running an engine fan goes all the time keeping a air flow under the bonnet , most electric remain off till the control fires it into life have you got the plastic or metal fan ??? dont worry about temp variances its quite normal and do check its not voltage changing the readings Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Posted August 22, 2023 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2023 The fan is a yellow plastic 6 fin . The temp rises to 90, the thermostat opens and the temp drops to 80 and cycle starts again . My gauge is mechanical so no electrics that’s why I see the range . I can go 200 plus miles in a session and everything is ok, until I hit a traffic jam Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted August 22, 2023 Report Share Posted August 22, 2023 Ive got a Spal 305mm fan (the higher powered version) on my mk1 vitesse and Im very pleased with it. I removed the fan AND its boss from the end of the crank and it fits nicely. You might even get away with the thinner lower powered model or perhaps go up to the next size of 325mm. After trying various controls Im now on purely manual with a fused relay and switch supplied from the radio position of the ignition switch so I can run it for 30 seconds after engine stop without the risk of forgetting it👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted August 22, 2023 Report Share Posted August 22, 2023 (edited) Same as Johny I fitted the 12" High powered Spal which reduces the temperature very quickly. I had to get EP Services to make me a shallow water pump as the fan was impossible to fit without this modification. I must have the short wheelbase chassis version or a long engine 😂😂😂 I fitted Davies Craig controller and sensor in the top hose. Iain Edited August 22, 2023 by Iain T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted August 22, 2023 Report Share Posted August 22, 2023 Strange as the fan tapers thinner by the water pump so mine was tightest between the crank end and fan motor. Oh but mine is just clamped directly to the rad matrix... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted August 22, 2023 Report Share Posted August 22, 2023 as electric gauges (bi metal types ) damp the reading its probably you instant reading capillary gauge thats throwing you a wobbler by being a bit over ractive ??? just an idea or just avoid traffic jams Ha !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Posted August 22, 2023 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2023 (edited) 27 minutes ago, Pete Lewis said: as electric gauges (bi metal types ) damp the reading its probably you instant reading capillary gauge thats throwing you a wobbler by being a bit over ractive ??? just an idea or just avoid traffic jams Ha !! Yes Pete . Instant read shows extremes and hence worry factor kicks in . I’ve got a spare temp gauge . Do I need a different sender and cable to connect Paul sender pic Edited August 22, 2023 by Paul H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted August 22, 2023 Report Share Posted August 22, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, johny said: Strange as the fan tapers thinner by the water pump so mine was tightest between the crank end and fan motor. Oh but mine is just clamped directly to the rad matrix... I have a supposed hi something or other Bastuck rad but doesn't seem thicker than norm. My fan is attached to the rad and a 10" fitted OK but didn't cool enough and the 12" had no chance of fitting but works with the modified water pump. I used the Spal fitting kit. Iain Edited August 22, 2023 by Iain T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted August 22, 2023 Report Share Posted August 22, 2023 I have got the rad hard up against the front valance and I believe even that is also mounted pretty far forward😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted August 22, 2023 Report Share Posted August 22, 2023 Paul i would leave alone and just not worry the gauge is an indication of whats going on dont get carried away with the varying readings its not an exact science its a Triumph remember they introduced thermo bi metal gauges to stabilise the displayed readings your capilliary is always going to be a 'worry gauge' just ignore it until it goes right into the red sleep easy enjoy the drive if you go to change to electric you need (guess you have voltage stabiliser for your fuel) and a GTR108 sender and a 82C thermostat to get nice mid scale needle readings thats assuming the gauge is a Thermo/bimetal gauge , ............... if its moving iron (ie coils and waggy needle you need 121997 sender i would have a strong tea and not worry anymore Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted August 22, 2023 Report Share Posted August 22, 2023 Shock Horror, I disagree with Pete! Traffic now is far heavier than in the sixties and I remember the kerbs with boiled up cars. To make our cars fit for today's roads a powerful fan is almost essential. I went to Brands Hatch and parked next to a 406 Bristol who's owner said he dreads traffic jams even though he had a reconditioned engine. Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Truman Posted August 22, 2023 Report Share Posted August 22, 2023 The Vitesse mech fan is fitted direct to the crankshaft so turns at engine speed say 800rpm at idle so it will get hot in traffic jams I’ve never fitted an electric fan as it all seems to tight a fit so when it’s over 35C here I sit in the traffic with foot on throttle idling over 1500rpm near 2000 sometimes to cool the beast down or stop it boiling. I know it feels counter intuitive to increase engine speed ie mote heat but it works! Elect fans spin around 3000rpm so must work in cooling when stationary. I must admit I’ve thought about fitting TR4 or Spitfire Le Mans bonnet side wing air vent holes to get rid of the heat just can’t go that far though. Iain if I do go elect fan I’ll go electric water pump too the issue is where to fit it? the Vitesse engine bay isn’t endowed with spare space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted August 22, 2023 Report Share Posted August 22, 2023 4 minutes ago, Peter Truman said: if I do go elect fan I’ll go electric water pump too the issue is where to fit it? the Vitesse engine bay isn’t endowed with spare space. The "plumbing" too would be an "interesting" technical exercise?. How to arrange location of a Thermostat for one?. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Truman Posted August 22, 2023 Report Share Posted August 22, 2023 It was the next project for the Sprint I hated the internal engine water pump on later Triumphs and an elect pump was easy to fit space wise but I chickened out and sold the Sprint problem solved! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted August 22, 2023 Report Share Posted August 22, 2023 no shock and horror i just stick to the basics they work you either love gauges or worry about them best is remove them and just enjoy the driving you will all be worrying about the Ebb and Flow made by the thermostat as it modulates next Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted August 22, 2023 Report Share Posted August 22, 2023 37 minutes ago, Peter Truman said: I’ll go electric water pump too Peter, I did look at the electric pump option but kept with the original impeller but ensured I had a close tolerance blade to engine block. I measured the gap when I took it off and there was a larger than original spec gap. It's the same with air fan shrouds the smaller the gap the more effective. Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68vitesse Posted August 22, 2023 Report Share Posted August 22, 2023 Fitted the largest possible electric fan to my Mk1 2L Vitesse, but had to remove bits of the motor support to miss the water pump, with an adjustable revotec controller in the bottom hose. Engine fan removed, you can't have both, and welded fixings for the electric fan to the steel radiator sides as I didn't trust the through radiator fixings. Regards Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Truman Posted August 22, 2023 Report Share Posted August 22, 2023 In the early 70's working for Water Board in the NE of England I brought and installed some in line pumps which just looked like a bit of oversized straight piping, the advantage was they could be buried ie no pits or pump house needed just a small control cubical. They were Swiss made Sulzer from memory. Pity there's no similar small 12v unit for cars, easy installation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted August 23, 2023 Report Share Posted August 23, 2023 (edited) 10 hours ago, Peter Truman said: Iain if I do go elect fan I’ll go electric water pump too the issue is where to fit it? the Vitesse engine bay isn’t endowed with spare space. Im not sure the standard water pump flow rate is a problem as the TR6 with 150bhp used the same thing albeit with a bigger radiator. However the TR fan went through various design changes especially for the US market.... Edited August 23, 2023 by johny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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