Radiator fan mounting - original?

[Gemini1962]

I recently bought a 1967 Elan S3 S/E having never owned an Elan before and I'm trying to determine what's original and what's not. I am curious to know if this radiator fan mount is original or not. It looks a bit Heath Robinson to me but what do I know!

[lotusfan]

It looks like a Kenlow fan and mounting. I can't quite make out the writing on the red label but it might say Kenlow. They were/are? a well known after market radiator fan supplier.

I don't know about a Series 3 Elan but Series 4 and Sprints as built had a 3 point mount for the motor off the radiator. The impeller was either plastic or sheet metal.

[Ray419G]

I agree, it seems to be an aftermarket fan, Kenlow or something very similar. As original equipment, electric fans were introduced during production of the S4 Elan, towards the end of 1968, I think. A 1967 S3 would have originally had an engine driven fan which was bolted to the water pump pulley.

Ray.

[JonB]

Original fan mount from an S4, for your reference.

[512BB]

'Original fan mount from an S4'

And early Sprints, up till early 1972. Then changed to a larger fan motor with metal blades and a slightly different bracket to accommodate.

Crickey, the rain has stopped, don't need that anorak on any longer.

I have got a pile of rusty bits for you Jon to take back to R on W. Make sure you achieve the same finish as your rad

Leslie

[JonB]

It looks better than it is, Leslie.

The problem being a choice of paint that’s supposed to be tough but isn’t. However, the zinc primer I used is indestructible, albeit a different colour. Chips show very clearly…

Anyway, you can’t be implying you haven’t got a blast cabinet? Surely not!

[Gemini1962]

Thanks for the replies/information. There is a switch on the dash that says Kenlowe on it so it has been added at some point. I thought it looked like a bit of a lash up!

I will attempt to take the pulley off the water pump to see if there are any witness marks on there to indicate if it had the 4 bladed metal fan fitted to it.

Was the Elan known for overheating?

[512BB]

All Elans will overheat if the cooling system, and all parts thereof, are not working as they should, but otherwise they are just fine.

'Anyway, you can’t be implying you haven’t got a blast cabinet?'

I have got a blast cabinet Jon, I just haven't got a compressor. That may change shortly, see TOOL TALK.

L
'

[Ray419G]

The standard set up for a UK spec S3 would be a 2 blade metal fan, the 4 blade was optional, (or possibly standard for some export markets). My early S4 has the 2 blade fan and wide S3 style radiator, I have never had overheating problems, though the engine is in standard tune and the car only gets normal road use. Later S4 s and sprints with standard electric fans also have a narrower radiator - it seems that set up can be marginal in hot conditions.

Ray.

[Gemini1962]

The standard set up for a UK spec S3 would be a 2 blade metal fan, the 4 blade was optional, (or possibly standard for some export markets).

Ah okay. I don't have a fan blade to put it back to original and by the looks of it SJ Sportscars don't sell them either so I guess I will have to go electric.

[Ray419G]

There is a fan currently on ebay, listed as "Ford Cortina mk1 Fan Blade, for pre crossflow".
I cant say for sure it is identical to the ones fitted to the twin cam but it certainly looks the same as the one on my Elan.

Ray.

[Gemini1962]

There is a fan currently on ebay, listed as "Ford Cortina mk1 Fan Blade, for pre crossflow".
I cant say for sure it is identical to the ones fitted to the twin cam but it certainly looks the same as the one on my Elan.
Ray.

Have you got any pictures of your setup you could post please?

[Ray419G]

Please find a picture of the fan on my car, as requested.

Ray.

[alan.barker]

Ray ,
A 2 blade metal Fan. Just what i had on a 1968 +2 many years ago. When on Hols in Scotland the Bearing in Pump let go, the metal blades made a lovely job of "Trepaning" the Rad. I was sooo pleased i jumped up and down at the side of the road to celebrate.
Nearly gave it a John Cleese thrashing.
Mmmm sweet memories took me 40 years to return to Scotland for another Holiday lol.
Alan

[Gemini1962]

Elan Fan.jpg

Please find a picture of the fan on my car, as requested.

Ray.

Thanks for that. If you get a spare minute could you measure the length and width of it please so I can see if the Ford ones on eBay are the same.