Moss Motors, Ltd

Having just removed the original fan (TR4) for a water pump and timing chain replacement, I'm wondering just how important and/or effective the original over enginerred balance weight setup is. I suspect the position of the weights as someone else has be there befor me but I marked them befor removing, I'm tempted to just omit them when I go back together and see what happens. Would appreciate hearing from anyone with any experience with the original fan balance setup. Thanks: KSD

I imagine that the weights are there to compensate for "less than perfect" manufacturing techniques.

If you run without a perfectly balanced fan, the life of your water pump bearing will be diminished, perhaps GREATLY diminished depending on the severity of the imperfection.

You should be able to set up a simple device in your shop to determine the proper placement of the weight(s). Think of a way to balance the fan horizontally so that the heavy side will drop lower, then just add weight to the opposite, lighter side until they are level.

Have fun & Good luck!

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On their death bed, nobody ever said, "Gee I wish I'd spent more time at work!"

'68 Sprite 1275
'76 Midget 1500

Get the balance right or as close as you can, it is important. As Davey said, an out of balance fan will definitely shorten water pump life, but more than that as the blades flex due to the imbalance they will eventually crack and come apart which can result in loss of hoses, radiator, and even the hood. Another possible solution is to install the kit sold by Moss to install a TR6 plastic 8 bladed fan. http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=66775 and get a fan from off e-bay or some other Triumph guy. 

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'73 Midget (V6)
'59 MGA (I6) under construction
'73 Lotus Europa

"There is a fine line between a hobby and mental illness"

The later fan is a good idea, but you can, and should balance the original if you intend to keep it. What davey and Bill Young may not realize here, is that on the TR cars, the fan is mounted to the CRANKSHAFT, not the water pump. The pump won't suffer, but we balance all the rotating parts on the crankshaft axis for a good reason. Sympathetic crankshaft flex and premature main bearing wear ain't a good thang! But it is indeed easy to do.

Go to your local home and garden store and ask for a mower blade balancer. (two cheap pieces of plastic) You can take it from there, I'm sure. Have fun.

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Motorbill
From Lola to Land Rover, If it's British and has wheels, it's likely I've bloodied me knuckles thereupon

Thanks for the mower blade balancer tip. After further research and checking out my fan and weight assy. I noticed a very small hole drelled thru weights and fan hub. I believe this was done during the  balance at the factory and will provide a good referance for reassembly. I am however going to try the mower balancer and see how things work out. Thanks again: KSD