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MG MGB Technical - Kenlowe Fan

Hi
I'm just about about to buy a Kenlowe fan for my
1967 GT and was just wondering if there's anything
special I need to know about it's installation.
Also the Lumenition Magnetronic Ignition, does the timing need to be completely reset. Thanks for any help.

Donal
Donal Higgins

Hi,

FWIW I fitted my magnetronic module without changing my timing. However, you have to take the disi out anyway to fit it (the job requires sawing) so unless your disi is wound forward all the way on the clamp like mine always is, you'll need to re-time anyway.

ttfn,
--
Oliver Stephenson
Oliver Stephenson

Hi Donal
I've just installed a kenlowe in my '79 roadster.
I clamped the fan onto the back of the radiator
using the clips supplied as opposed to using the metal fittings. The fan pulls cold air through the radiator and works extremely well. Electrical install was easy (believe me I'm no car electrician)as there are only a couple of wires. I found the temperature bulb fiddly to insert and clamp into place in the neck of the radiator - you have to use a special bit of rubber to insert into the radiator hose. I found it worked best if you use two clips to make an effective seal.
Good Luck,
Ian McLeod
ian mcleod

i installed a Kenlowe fan recently and had a problem with the thermostat switch. i emailed Kenlowe, advised of the problem and the promptly responded offering to sell me another switch and suggested that i may acquire a similar switch in the states.

when i responded saying that i was presenting a warranty claim, you know, they just went absolutely silent on me. no response whatsoever.

Donal, i hesitate to recommend the Kenlowe fan to you, perhaps you should consider another brand.

rn
RN Lipow

I fitted a pair of Kenlowes to my V8. Nice fans but the nylon tiewrap fitting kit was a problem. I asked Kenlowe specifically and they replied specifically that the nylon ties were compleletly suitable for use with an aluminium radiator.

A few hundred miles later the nylon strip had worn a hole into two of the cores. The manufacturuers of the rad later told me that nylon ties are nothing but trouble.

I suppose that a standard rad is stronger than ally but I think that there is still a potential for trouble. A particular problem is that Kenlowe supply rubber pads to cushion the rad and the nylon clips against the matrix. Unfortunately these pads quickly deform and allow the nylon tie to loosen and therefore move and abraid the core. Regular checking of these and tightening them should reduce problems but maybe not eradiacte them.

If I were to consider using Kenlowe's fitting kit again - with any rad- I think that I would examine the possiblity of passing the nylon ties through a small plastic tube as a conduit to present a more gentle surface to the core and also as a load spreader.

I have to say - be careful of Kenlowe advice. It cost me dearly.
Marc

I never understood, why Kenlowe with its poorly designed and very expensive fans has achieved such a status in the MG-szene. When I saw a Kenlowe-setup for the first time about 15 years ago I thought this was an amateurs job from someone who didnīt know how to do it properly: it may work, but it looks horrible with its tubing and the way they fit the fan.

Hereīs what I did to my cars.
MGB: got an electric fan from SPAL to fit in front of the radiator, itīs diameter meets the height of the core. Then I told a radiator shop to fit one M5-Bolt to each side of the radiator housing and to also fit a thread for a standard modern thermoswitch (from a VW Rabbit or so) in the rear of the upper radiator casing.
Then I wired the thermo switch and the fan into the ignition circuit. Now the fan switches on at ca. 85°C and switches off at ca. 70°.

MGCGT: similar to the B, but with a bigger SPAL-fan at the rear of the radiator, inside the radiator shroud.

On both cars the original beltdriven fan was completely removed: makes the engine much quiter.

Both cars do run without any heat-problem, no matter of the outside temps.

SPAL can be reached at: http://www.spal.com/automotive/default.htm

But you could definitely use any fan that fits, look for A/C-fans and you will find a suitable one.
joern

I put a fan from a SAAB 900 in front of the rad in my B and it works great. They are easy to get used, at least here in sweden.The even fit on standard B mountings and plastic "fanblades". The good thing is they last mutch longer then standard Lucas. Sorry about my bad spelling, hope you understand what I mean.
Manfried
Manfried Lampe

Manfried, you have no cause for concern about your "poor" spelling! Having taught junior and senior high school English to Canadian born kids for over thirty years, I can honestly say I wish the average teen's skills had approached yours. And congratulations on your usage; it is functional and clear.
Ken R
Ken Rich

I considered getting SPAL fans. I heard lots of very good tings about them. However, I contacted several distributors about technical details which are routinely published by Kenlowe and by PACET and they had no idea and nothing published. Some promised to get back to me and never did.
I emailed SPAL directly for information and got no reply. Their website didn't work properly.
Eventually I gave up and bought Kenlowe and there seems to be nothing wrong with them.
In a fit of pique I emailed SPAL telling them that I had gone elsewhere and that I was very disappointed and I suddenly received 2 reponses containing bleating apologies (yuou know the type) and asking for details of who I had contacted etc. I never replied. They should sort out their own systems and I'm not prepared to do their management consultancy for free. SPAL had already cost me enough time.
I'm afraid I'm quite fed up with this universally poor attitude which has cost me a lot of time and money - Kenlowe included.
Marc

Hi
Thanks for the different bits advice. I went ahead and got both the Magnetronic Ignition and Kenlowe fan. Fitted both today without any hassle.
Oliver, I was intrigued by your mention of the fact the the installation of the ignition required some sawing. I left the disi in place and put the ignition in no problem. The timing's a bit out, a little harder to start and some pinging (spelling?) have to get a timing gun.
The fan went in front of the rad and was easy the install and calibrate. Matter of interest, normal running temp is around 185 deg F, I have the fan cutting in around 195/200 bringing the temp to 180 before cutting out, I presume this is alright. Thanks the the help.

Donal
Donal

This thread was discussed between 21/11/2001 and 25/11/2001

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGB Technical BBS is active now.