Noticed a strange noise when driving the other day, popped the bonnet to find that a couple of the fins had snapped off the cooling fan. I assumed that maybe it wasn't lined up properly or something the last time I removed / re-fitted it?

Anyway, I fitted up a new yellow plastic fan and checked for clearance, looked good. Started the motor and watched the fan while idling, no issues.. not hitting the radiator or shroud etc.

Drove it for about 15 minutes, checked again and it had snapped 3 fins off the new fan!

Is this a common problem? am I missing something here?

frustrating!

Untitled by Chux007, on Flickr

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1968 Mini-matic - 1340cc, 45 weber - 92hpatw, 14.5 @91mph, GrandmaSpec

nope. usually happens with the white fans.

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The bitterness of poor quality (or Crappy Workmanship) remains LONG AFTER the Sweet Taste of Low Price is forgotten.

Hi Chux, You're not the only one. I've had 2 break on my engine.
I have found that the original ones are now old and brittle so they so the blades can and do snap off, and the new ones get soft when they are hot, so they bend and hit things that break them.
I now only use the old steel ones.

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1970 MK II Cooper 'S' Supercharged 1310 with Megajolt.
1970 MK II Cooper 'S' Original resto project (SOLD)
1962 850 Original. (Under restoration)
1973 Leyland S (My first car. Now rebuilt, so my kids can learn how to drive a real car).
VMCI # 215.

You could check to make sure the plane of the fan and the radiator face are parallel. They can fit but top be closer to bottom or skewed etc which could cause issues, especially if your engine moves a bit- check steadies, engine mounts , but as said could just be time was up on plastic fan. Hopefully it wont digest anymore.

I think you are missing a few things here, fan blades.

Just gotta check cowling screws etc for good fitting.

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It's easy once you know how.

One of these could solve the problem. http://minisport.com.au/mini-fan-spacer-3a16

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Why don't people believe me when I say Arianca Tan will make a come back.

I like the 16 blade metal ones.
Oz steel is stronger and more durable than Chinese? plastic.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Cheers for the ideas guys. I'll check the radiator side clearance and the cowling fitment / screws.

If that doesn't fix it I'm just going to have to put it down to the massive 50hp that it is producing as being too much for those measly plastic fans

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1968 Mini-matic - 1340cc, 45 weber - 92hpatw, 14.5 @91mph, GrandmaSpec

Check the clearance with the harmonic balancer....

Cheers, Ian