32 replies to this topic

[iDemonix]

Sorry for all the questions today, trying to have a productive weekend by painting and doing a bit more prep work to my 1275 engine that's sat in the garage.

What's the best fan to have cooling wise - I mean the belt driven one, not electric.

I was going to get the standard 11 blade plastic fan, but I've heard the 6 blade metal one is a lot better, just noisier?

http://www.minisport...info_2A998.html

I just want one that will let me drive in summer without having to flick the heaters on in traffic.

[iDemonix]

Option 2: What about a double 2-blade fan, like is pictured here?

http://www.minisport...info_2A997.html

[Wil_h]

The plastic ones are a far better blade design, I'd stick with that.

[bmcecosse]

The 6 blade 'export' fan is ideal ...

[cal844]

minis only really overheat in traffic jams or when driving at under 30 mph.

[govig]

Do you really need a belt driven fan if you've got a thermostatically controlled electric fan in the wheel arch?

[Cooperman]

Do you really need a belt driven fan if you've got a thermostatically controlled electric fan in the wheel arch?

Yes, if you have a side-mounted radiator. On a well-modified 1275 you can easily need both a mechanical fan and an electric fan on hot days in heavy traffic.
Best fan is the 6-blade export and it's not really too noisy either.

[iDemonix]

Everyone keeps saying 6 blade export fan, what's the export fan?

http://www.minisport...info_2A998.html

That's 6 blade, but is that the export version?

[Cooperman]

MINI SPARES

2A998
FAN BLADE 6 FANS IN METAL FOR HOT CLIMATES
Known as the 'Hot Climate' or 'Export fan' this metal fan is probably the best fan to use, especially if it keeps the engine running cool. The 11 blade plastic fan 12G2129 is quieter but not so efficient. The single or 4 blade type does the best job in cooling but is a lot noisier as it cuts through the air
£28.60 exc vat
£34.32 inc vat

In stock

[tiger99]

Before Minis had the plastic fans, following advice in one of the monthly comics, I got a Ford escort fan and drilled it to fit the Mini water pump flange. It was an orange plastic, and worked very well. I think it had an odd number of blades, 17 comes to mind.

The two and four blade metal fans are noisy and do not cool all that well.

[L400RAS]

The single or 4 blade type does the best job in cooling but is a lot noisier as it cuts through the air

The two and four blade metal fans are noisy and do not cool all that well.

These two statements differ; which is opinion and which is fact? I run a 4 blade, and agree it is noisy,but would like to know if i change to a 6 blade fan, would this push more air AND be more quiet?
R

[SA MINI]

I've currently got a twin blade on my 998 it runs a lot cooler than the standard plastic fan I had before
But it does sound extremely choppy at speed,
I will be changing it for a metal 6 blade in the future

Edited by SA MINI, 10 June 2012 - 11:28 AM.

[dklawson]

The single or 4 blade type does the best job in cooling but is a lot noisier as it cuts through the air

The two and four blade metal fans are noisy and do not cool all that well.

These two statements differ; which is opinion and which is fact? I run a 4 blade, and agree it is noisy,but would like to know if i change to a 6 blade fan, would this push more air AND be more quiet?
R

Cooperman's quote was taken from the Mini Spares web site. I don't think he can be asked to confirm or contradict marketing text.

I was not aware that the Mini ever used the 2/4 blade metal fans. I thought those were exclusive to the inline A-series engines as used in the A-H Sprite and MG Midget. I don't know anyone who has retained them. Most Midgets I see have multi-blade fans.

Personally... I live in one of those hot climates and I run the 6 blade "tropical" fan. My car originally had the metal version of the 11 blade fan. I can say that the 6-blade fan moves a lot of air and it is not particularly noisy.

[iDemonix]

Right, cheers all, I'll pick up the 6 blade 'hot climate' fan when I need it.

Tah

[Cooperman]

I always use the 6-blade in modified 1275 engines of my own. For other people when I build engines they have a choice.
The worst fan was the 16-blade steel fan as it was easy to get 'discing' (or 'cascade effect') at high revs where the blades effectively acted as a solid disc and passed no air at all.
I do believe the 1959 cars had a 2-blade fan and then, maybe a 4-blade. After that the dreadful 16-blade was introduced and my first Mini, a 1961 car, had a 16-blade.
Despite what Mini Spares web site says, my own belief is that the 6-blade is the most efficvient at all revs.
Of course, the fan MUST be fitted the correct way around! So many aren't.