TR2/3/3A dumb question of the day: engine fan for TR3a position

[2billydavies]

Hello everyone!
Installing a new engine fan and for the life of me I can't remember which way the fan went on! I looked at a trillion different pics all over the internet.... and I swear I've seen about half of them have it on one way and the other half on the other way. So... let's start off this beautiful Sunday morning with the dumb question of the day: which way does this fan go on??? is the upper curve of the fan blade pointing to the left or to the right?? I'm pretty sure I have an idea, but some reassurance from the group would go a long way.... it's driving me nuts. Thanks!!

 

[PKPoole]

The engine turns clockwise, so what you show in the pix is correct. The outer blade curve is slicing the incoming air and the blades angle rearward to push the air in that direction, and therefore pull it through the radiator. Pat

 

[Geo Hahn]

The outer blade curve is slicing the incoming air and the blades angle rearward to push the air in that direction, and therefore pull it through the radiator...

Actually the fan blows rearward no matter which way you mount it -- like a nut will thread on a bolt no matter which side of it you start with.

But I think the shop manual shows the leading edge to be the long/straight edge which is the opposite of what you have pictured.

 

[Brinkerhoff]

I think your blade is backwards also. The straight edge leads , the edge curled toward the engine , would follow.

 

[karls59tr]

I wouldn't use the stock fan if originality isn't a priority. They just don't move the air for cooling like they should. There are better options ie. TR6 fan with some mounting modification, the multiple bladed fan that Triumph came out with for hot countries..... if you can find one, a BMW 2002 stock fan has more blades and the bolt holes are the same or mount an electric fan. I run the BMW fan in place of the stock TR fan along with an electric fan in front of the rad in case I get stuck in traffic in 90 degree heat. The original fan for the 3 is woefully inadequate IMO.

 

[tdskip]

I wouldn't use the stock fan if originality isn't a priority. They just don't move the air for cooling like they should. There are better options ie. TR6 fan with some mounting modification, the multiple bladed fan that Triumph came out with for hot countries..... if you can find one, a BMW 2002 stock fan has more blades and the bolt holes are the same or mount an electric fan. I run the BMW fan in place of the stock TR fan along with an electric fan in front of the rad in case I get stuck in traffic in 90 degree heat. The original fan for the 3 is woefully inadequate IMO.

+1 on using a (lighter) and better air flow fan if you are going to drive her a bunch in your weather. Just make sure, which isn't hard to do, it is easily reversible.

 

[TR3driver]

Wow, I'm surprised at how many people think it goes backwards. There are several illustrations in the manuals, and they all show it the way you have it; with the curved edge leading.

 

[TR3driver]

it is easily reversible.

You've never had to remove a front apron, have you?

 

[Geo Hahn]

Dang! You are, of course, right. I just accepted the first illustration I came across in the factory manual (the one in 'Cooling') and it was possibly not a very good one as it led me astray. The drawing in 'Engine' and the photo of an engine being pulled are quite clear.

I have changed the fan in my TR3A w/o removing the apron or radiator... but just. Thank goodness for ratcheting box wrenches.

 

[PKPoole]

I'm with Randall on the level of confusion here. If you have it the way your picture shows, it is correct.

 

[2billydavies]

Randall: now you see why i'm so confused?? lol... everytime I look at a picture, someone else has it the opposite way. so I installed it the way the manual had it.... just wanted to un-confuse myself a bit. but i think this thread confused me even more! lol... keeping it the way i have it. better yet, i think i'll be installing a TR6 fan soon to combat this florida heat. thanks everyone!

 

[tdskip]

You've never had to remove a front apron, have you?

Fair point Randall, fair point!