By all means fit an electric fan to these cars. The current consumption via
the alternator is negligible in comparison to engine power used in driving
a conventional fan. In excessively hot climates you could also run a cooler
thermostat.
The radiator size SHOULD be OK for high temperatures. I don't ever recall
overheating being a problem on the car when it was new, despite the fact
that the rad itself does look small.
As these vehicles are now reaching a somewhat venerable age, the radiators
should ideally be removed for reverse flushing and pressure testing every
four or five years. At the same time, a combination of high pressure water
and/or air should be used to thoroughly disperse any dead flies and other
matter which has accumulated in the matrix. A fundamental exercise, but its
amazing the number of people who don't do it - ever! Many listers may not
know that on these engines, cylinders three and four were fully 'siamesed'
and had no cooling space between them at all. Additionally, the gaps
between cylinders one and two as well as five and six had fairly minimal
water passages. In view of that, don't just stop at reverse flushing the
radiator. Over a prolonged period, the two litre six cylinder engine did
tend to accumulate gungy crud within the water jacket and this can only be
removed by flushing in both directions - including the heater. It's a
filthy job, it can't be done quickly but it pays dividends - especially if
on refilling, an anti-freeze with coolant inhibitor is used as well.
John Macartney
Now in the same museum as the cars he sold when they were new
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