Question for any car mechanics out there…

[Simon says...]

Hi, any advice would be very gratefully received. Trying to remove the fan blades from a car heater fan motor - the motor doesn’t work but to unbolt it from the housing the fan blades have to come off. Does anyone recognise the bolt/fitting holding the blades to the motor shaft? Not sure if it unscrews or pulls off - the blades are probably quite brittle so not easy to clamp them without damage! ( It is from a 1970 Triumph Spitfire if that’s any help - though it may not be original as there was a major renovation in 1996 ) The motor and heater matrix do look original though.
Thank you for any input!
Cheers, Simon

 

[jollyrodger]

If it unbolts, possibly a right hand thread.
Never stripped one down so only guessing.

 

[Landy Andy]

The nut is only screwed onto the plastic fan spigot, which then compress it and is then a friction fit that drives the fan. So the fan isn’t screwed onto the fan shaft

 

[Simon says...]

Ok, thanks - I’ll try…gently!
There looks to be some sort of insert in the nut…?

 

[Landy Andy]

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[Simon says...]

The nut is only screwed onto the plastic fan spigot, which then compress it and is then a friction fit that drives the fan. So the fan isn’t screwed onto the fan shaft

Ah! That would explain the apparent insert…any idea whether it is likely to be left or right hand thread? Thank you!

 

[Manic]

I don’t know but you got me lookin.
could it be you put something in the slots to hold the fan and then undo the nut.
This shows it clearer because it new

Landy Andy bet me to it

 

[Landy Andy]

It doesn’t have the small indents which classically indicate left hand thread, so assume standard thread. Also know to be stuck on there lol.

 

[Landy Andy]

Any help.

Spitfire heater blower

Caught out in the rain yesterday, first time since I bought my Mk3 Spitfire. The heater blower has never worked and fixing hadn't made the jobs list. That changed when the front screen steamed-up 😒. Any helpful tips to go in search of the problem? Access to the rear of the switch and the motor do...

forum.tssc.org.uk

 

[Simon says...]

Thanks, becoming clearer! Have to be morning now before I can try…I’ll post the result!

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[Landy Andy]

Buy here

Triumph Spitfire MK1 MK2 MK3 to 1970 & LOTUS MK14 HEATER FAN NEW | eBay

This part fits all TRIUMPH SPITFIRES MK1 MK2 MK3 to 1970 AND LOTUS MK14 HEATER FAN NEW FITS ON HEATER MOTOR ONCE MADE BY SMITHS The parts are made on the ORIGINAL TOOLS SO YOU KNOW IT WILL FIT WELL. We make these parts in England and we have been doing so for the past 47 years.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Simon says...]

Any help.

Spitfire heater blower

Caught out in the rain yesterday, first time since I bought my Mk3 Spitfire. The heater blower has never worked and fixing hadn't made the jobs list. That changed when the front screen steamed-up 😒. Any helpful tips to go in search of the problem? Access to the rear of the switch and the motor do...

forum.tssc.org.uk

Yes, thanks, I have come across that thread…tested the motor and switch prior to removal…switch was fine but no life from motor…hence complete removal of heater box to get to fan motor. Will check brushes once I get motor off as it is proving hard to find a direct replacement.

 

[Simon says...]

Buy here

Triumph Spitfire MK1 MK2 MK3 to 1970 & LOTUS MK14 HEATER FAN NEW | eBay

This part fits all TRIUMPH SPITFIRES MK1 MK2 MK3 to 1970 AND LOTUS MK14 HEATER FAN NEW FITS ON HEATER MOTOR ONCE MADE BY SMITHS The parts are made on the ORIGINAL TOOLS SO YOU KNOW IT WILL FIT WELL. We make these parts in England and we have been doing so for the past 47 years.

www.ebay.co.uk

Thank you again! That’s good to know if the existing blades break on removal…

 

[Landy Andy]

Thank you again! That’s good to know if the existing blades break on removal…

Let us know how you got on. Will be interesting to know show it all works.

 

[NigelNovice]

Having looked at your pic, there does seem to be a spring ring in the plastic and possibly a groove in the shaft for it to ping into, try prizing it off before trying to take fan off, its old school like me

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[Simon says...]

Fan blades successfully removed! With a bit of a fight…the shaft had rusted a bit, making everything tight.
No joy with the motor though, looks like its the original, think after 52 years it has given up.
Can’t find a direct replacement so some modifications are going to be required.
Thanks again for the advice!
Cheers, Simon

 

[Landy Andy]

Replacement motor??

12v HEATER MOTOR - THHS

<p>12v HEATER MOTOR M1210<br><br>Length: 140mm<br>Voltage: 12v<br><br>Body Dia: 75mmSpindle Dia: 6mmSpindle Type: RoundShaft Length: 48mm</p>

www.thhs.co.uk

 

[Simon says...]

That looks to be identical to the one I ordered yesterday! Except yours is about £18 cheaper!
It has probably been despatched now so will just have to take the hit. I will save that website though, for any future bits!
Thanks for your help, cheers.

 

[Simon says...]

Final update! New motor fitted to heater box, with a little tweaking, heater refitted back behind the dashboard, hoses reconnected, glove boxes refitted, wiring connected…success! We now have a heater with a fan…bring on the cold weather!

 

[Landy Andy]

Great news. Just in time as the weather changes.

All we need now is a picture of the car.

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[Simon says...]

Here’s a couple!

 

[Landy Andy]

Very nice. A usable classic

 

[stevec]

Ahhh, the Mk3. So much better looking than the Mk4. Shame about the rear suspension but still a nice drive.