Original TR6 Fan Eliminator Kit
Converting a Triumph TR6 from a mechanical cooling fan to an electrical fan is just about the perfect first upgrade. Benefits include improved cooling, horsepower savings, slight savings in fuel consumption. Some say the original plastic crankshaft driven fan robs about six horsepower. Removal of the original fan set up allows an electric fan to be mounted behind the radiator.
Reducing rotating mass allows quicker acceleration. Weighing original parts from my 75 TR6, the cast iron fan spacer, center bolt, steel fan mount ring, and red 13 blade fan came to 6lbs 6oz. The aluminum replacement with bolt and lock washer weigh a total of 8.35oz. Simply put, the replacement weighs just 8% of the original set up!
The fan eliminator is a replacement for the original cast iron fan spacer. Machined from a billet of aircraft aluminum (6061) it is stronger and far lighter than the original. Testing the aluminum retainer for distortion was done by actually over torquing to more than 150 ft lbs, the max rating for my torque wrench. Other than a mar from the lock washer, no damage at all was done to the retainer.
Installation: Remove the plastic fan from the cast fan extension. There are two rings of bolts at the face of the fan. The outer four bolts hold the plastic fan to the steel ring while the inner circle of four hold the ring to the fan extension. These bolts have a 1/2″ heads. The steel ring must be removed to access the center bolt. The factory center bolt has a head size of 1 1/8″. A six point socket is best as the original bolt head has rounded corners but in most cases a twelve point socket will work. Once the bolt is removed the cast fan extension should lift off the two dowel pins of the harmonic balancer. Without a mechanical fan the dowel pins are really not required however the new retainer is drilled to engage them. With the dowel pins in the harmonic balancer, slip the new retainer into place and hand tighten the new bolt with washer and lock washer. Torque to 90lbs with a 15/16″ socket. There are several ways to keep the crank from turning while torquing the center bolt. One of easiest ways to stop the crank from turning is to put the transmission in high gear, let out the clutch and have an assistant press the brake pedal. If you have a properly working emergency brake it may hold if an assistant is unavailable. Another way is to stop the flywheel with a bar against one of the ring gear teeth.
Many have asked for a grade eight bolt, even though grade five is more than adequate, as it is only to keep the balancer from sliding off the end of the shaft. To keep things simple, all kits are now supplied with a grade 8 fine thread bolt and grade 8 washers.
The new retainer can be polished, clear coated, painted, powder coated, anodized, or left unfinished as 6061 aluminum is quite corrosion resistant.
