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MG MGB Technical - Fan shrouds.

I have been thinking about fitting on of these to my car (1969), has anyone got one fitted, and does it make much or any difference, the one I was looking at is a MGOC one for £40-00.
Andy Tilney

Depends what you want it for.

Whilst it boosts cooling at idle, it reduces it at speed. These cars have run in desert states since they were launched and don't have cooling problems, you certainly shouldn't need one in the UK.
paulh4

Yes Paul you are correct, I certainly don't need one in the UK, when I have been on the continent with the car, and have been stuck for long periods in traffic jams, and the air temperature has been 30c and above, sometimes it runs hotter than I would like it to,do you have one of these fitted to your car.
Andy Tilney

No. I've had both my roadster (mechanical fan) and V8 (electric fans) reach the edge of the H zone when stuck in traffic in hot weather, but it's never caused any problems. I improved the cooling fan electrics on the V8, tested it at an ambient of 41C, and the temp gauge didn't get more than 2/3rds the way from N to H then. These cars run in desert states and don't have cooling system problems, it causes more of a psychological problem than anything else :o)
paulh4

Paul thank you for your comments on this, coming back to my original question, has anyone got one of these fitted to there car and does it make any difference,
Andy Tilney

I tried one and it helps, however I eventually put an electric fan on.
My car is tuned and tends to run hot in traffic, it may be fine on a standard car. Its surprisingly unobtrusive. I have seen the multi bladed fan from the automatic car used and it seems to work, you could try both together. There is plenty of cooling when the car is moving with it fitted.
Finally, mine is cluttering up the space under the bench, let me know if you want to try it a cheque for a tenner to this years MGF register charity and the postage and its yours.
Stan Best

Stan thank you for your kind offer, what is the best way to get your contact details,(email address)
Andy Tilney

stan
are you saying that you tried the shroud, but an electric fan gives you more cooling?

i put an electric fan on as in winter i was over cooling. could have blocked off part of the rad i guess but the fan does help it to run at a more predicitble and consistent temperature.

in summer if cruising fast or idling for a long time, the elec fan seems to do it's job, but i cannot say it has been seriously tested in massively high ambient conditions. i do keep the plastic one in the boot should the electric fan fail. but all modern cars use them....
G
Graham Moore

I found a fan shroud extremely helpful on my MGA when idling in hot weather in heavy traffic.
You can very obviously feel the extra air being drawn through the radiator once you fit it. The shroud ensures that the round arc fan sucks through the entire rectangular radiator's surface area.
I found no disadvantage or benefit once the car is moving above say 20mph.
There's a lot written about MGAs and running temperatures on the many forums. But the MGA has a very cramped engine bay compared to an MGB.

As for an MGB, all I can say is that with 48 years and a quarter of a million miles with my stock standard (but well maintained) 1965 MGB, I have never, ever sensed the need for any cooling improvements.
I see many cars here in Australia fitted with electric "pusher" fans to supplement the engine driven fan, but based on my own experiences I can't help but think that if these cars need extra air flow through the radiator core, there must be something wrong.
I just don't think an unmodified MGB in good condition will tend to run hot, no matter what the ambient temperature and traffic conditions.
My car has never, ever even hinted at overheating, no matter the conditions. (And it sure get's hot here, and every summer get's hotter still!). We had many days in the mid 40s (Celsius) this last summer. I wilted long before my MGB would.
T Aczel

If only all B owners could see your post, not that they'd believe you or find some disparity between cars.

I’d put a huge amount of importance on you keeping your car well maintained for 48 years, well done.

Obviously most cars have had many previous owners which is why they probably need a very thorough service, maintenance overall at the start of the present owner’s ownership to get them back to a good running condition rather than the often more overriding concern over cosmetics (and adding bling).
Nigel Atkins

"As for an MGB, all I can say is that with 48 years and a quarter of a million miles with my stock standard (but well maintained) 1965 MGB, I have never, ever sensed the need for any cooling improvements."

That's just one MGB, the other side of the equation is that 500,000 were built many running in desert states with no problems at all, and still do. As said one car will differ to another, but instead of thinking "what gizmo can I bolt on to my car to get round this 'problem'" they should be thinking more in terms of looking for the cause and fixing that.
paulh4

Hi Alan, the charity this year is RNLI if that's ok with you if you are still interested. If you post an email address (in a way that doesn't attract an email harvesting program, eg dont use the @)then we can sort it out.
Its easy to fit, well on my rear fill car anyway.
Stan Best

Thanks Stan, as soon as I find out how to do that I will send it to you,
Andy Tilney

Stan you should have my email address in your in box now, looking forward to your reply,
Andy Tilney

This thread was discussed between 03/03/2018 and 08/04/2018

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