Edited on 2005-05-05 15:02:13

The engine fans will not start when the engine temp rises. The thermostat still opens to circulate the coolant into the engine. It's just the fans that don't come on. 2 fans breaking at the same time doesn't seem likely so, I'm thinking it's either the thermo switch for the fans or wiring. Anyone have any suggestions?

Submitted by htech@cwnet.com on Sat, 05/07/2005 - 18:09

Thanks for the suggestion Patrick. In it's present appearance (paint), it is the consistant winner of the Most Unrestored Car in the club! :-) Esthetics, not mechanical. So a temporary modification of the fan system would be fine. I'll keep that in mind. Tom Hughes

Submitted by mcload@ev1.net on Sat, 05/07/2005 - 17:11

Tom: If you drive your E on a regular basis and are not particularly fussy about concours showing and points, you really need to substitute the original fan motor and blade with a CoolCat unit. It is easily installed in an hour or two; uses the same mounting bracket and original wires as the original motor; and pulls in a vast amount of cooling air through the radiator. Reverting back for concours judging is easy as well.
I wouldn't be without it.

Patrick McLoad
1966 E-Type, Right-hand Drive Roadster
#1E1445

Submitted by htech@cwnet.com on Fri, 05/06/2005 - 20:54

If our '63 E-Type had a fan relay, it had been removed prior to the time we bought it. That's quite possible as we are the second owners.

I added a relay and, in the process installed an override switch and tally-light.

I have never been convinced that, at freeway speed, that little fan blade didn't create an obstruction to air flow. At the very least I don't think it does much good at high speed. Just a theory, never confirmed.

In addition, this also allows more generator output to be delivered to the battery.

There is a certain degree of hazard here as you do have to be alert for the tally light turn-on and decide whether conditions call for the fan to be activated. Tom Hughes

Submitted by mcload@ev1.net on Fri, 05/06/2005 - 19:13

Edited on 2005-05-06 19:14:59

There is a fan relay on Series 1's as well. I'm sure you've checked this, but if the water level in the header tank is low, then the otter switch won't get hot enough to ground itself. Assuming that's not the problem, then yes, short the two otter wires together and the fans should come on with ignition on (you don't have to warm up the engine). Many folks just leave them together all the time. If the fans still don't come on, then replace the relay. But if you want to go the Otter switch method, get a new one. But before installing, drop it in a pan of boiling water and check to see if the switch has occured with an ohm meter (or you can just rig up a little light and battery circuit). There is such a thing as new Otter switches that don't work. If you want to get real pickey, you can watch a candy thermometer just to see at what temp it switches.

Patrick McLoad
1966 E-Type, Right-hand Drive Roadster
#1E1445

Submitted by mfrank@westnet.com on Thu, 05/05/2005 - 15:09

You are on the right track. Just short the two Otter switch leads together. If the fans come on, replace the switch. Otherwise, look to the wiring.

What bothers me here is that a '67 should have a single fan...it sounds like someone has installed an S2 radiator. If that is the case, you also need to check the fan relay(s).