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MG TD TF 1500 - MGB Fan blade - metal

I went through the archives looking for info on MGB fan blades to fit a TD. Quite a lot of info, but what I could not find was information on MGB metal fans... all the info was on plastic fan blades (which you can buy today).
I want to check a couple of local yards for possible replacements, but here's the thing - in Tucson, nothing plastic will last in a junkyard. So the guy told me if I knew what years had METAL fans, they could tell me if they had any; but that info I can't find on the archives.
So can anybody tell me what years the MGB had a metal version of the fan?
Thanks in advance!
Geoffrey M Baker

Up until 1972
C.R. Tyrell

That includes early 1973 model year.
C.R. Tyrell

I'm not at all sure that a metal MGB fan will provide any significant improvement over the stock fan, and will look out of place. If that doesn't concern you, I would go with a plastic MGB fan, painted black.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

Second Tom's suggestion. I replaced the metal fan on our TD with the MGB plastic fan. My thinking is that a plastic blade will do much less damage to the radiator/hood panels if it breaks off than a metal one will do. Did the same thing on our 66 MGB for the same reason. Cheers - Dave
D W DuBois

Keep in mind also that there were two different metal fans. Early was three large blades. Later was six smaller ones. Neither is as efficient as a modern fan. MGA also used six blade metal unit.
Steve S

The metal fan will not fit the bolt pattern of the TD/TF water pump. I have one in my shop that I checked against the pump. Bolt spacing on the later MGB fans is close enough to make them useable.
MG LaVerne

This is our 72 and it had this fan n it when I got it 25 years ago. I checked it for cracks before putting it back on the engine.
On the TF, I had the radiator re-cored with a 4 row core, second photo and am retaining the original fan. PJ

Paul S Jennings

TF Rad,



Paul S Jennings

Ok thanks! Guess I'll get the plastic fan...
Geoffrey M Baker

Geoffrey..make sure you get the one designed for the stock plastic replacements and not one of the plastic ones designed to replace the metal fans. Again the bolt spacing on the water pumps between the two is not close.
MG LaVerne

Isn't there a Peugeot fan that will do the job? plastic MGB ones are now very expensive. Also will an electric one discharge the battery.


Jan T
J Targosz

A few years ago, I modified a stainless flex-fan to our supercharged XPAG, by opening the pilot hole with a step drill, and cutting the blades almost down to the hub, just a touch over 12" diameter. The hub sections are carbon steel and this unit is problem heavier than the twin blades they replaced, but certainly move a lot more air. Observing the blades under a timing light proved they do flex back at higher rpms. I don't recall which make it was, but it is identical to the Flex-A-Lite 1017. I have no complaints about the fan, BUT, the "County" water pump from India is another story. The iron fan hub on the pump shaft was drilled out really crooked, and as a result, the fan wobbles noticably!!! I've expected that pump bearing or seal to go at any time.

I see now, there is a new nylon fan avaiable, Flex-A-Lite 418.
I'm going to acquire one and replace the water pump and stainless fan, for peace of mind.

Either the nylon or stainless fans can be gotten for less than $30 including shipping. I walked over and picked up the stainless fan, locally, at O'rielly.

Bear in mind, the rotation is CLOCKWISE.
JRN JIM

Followup from above... there's a Flex-A-Lite 414, a 14" version that looks easier to trim down.

Having said that, I ran across another interesting nylon (fiberglass reinforced nylon) fan at Jegs, on clearance, and so ordered one for $19.99 and free shipping.

The pilot hole would still need to be enlarged and the blade tips trimmed down a touch, but it should fit a non-supercharged engine nicely. However, from looking at the pictures (no specs provided) the blades will likely contact the belt for our supercharger and thus will likely require thinning the blade depth. I'll cross that bridge when that bridge gets here.
JRN JIM

Forgot to paste in the reference for the 52190 fan from Jegs.

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performance-Products/555/52190/10002/-1?parentProductId=1120388#moreDetails
JRN JIM

This thread was discussed between 05/06/2014 and 11/06/2014

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