Countach Technical Thread & Questions

Big question Simon is that have you actually used the car enough to bed the brakes in! I'd be interested to get your feedback.

Cheers
Rob

 

Hi Rob work just fine, I would say slightly reduced pedal efforts and much more confidence inspiring probably down to more modern caliper design, bigger pad area and better friction materials. Occasional rumble but that is normal with cross drilled discs, would probably opt for slotted rotors next time.

 

I've just blown my second cooling circuit fuse in a month - something isn't right somewhere. Being in Texas, I am definitely considering the upgraded SPAL cooling fans but had a couple of questions - do they draw less current, or just move more air? Also, having the 3rd fan, does that pusher on the front of the right radiator push more air, or just draw more current (and blow fuses)? Would it be worth while removing it? I remember reading somewhere that a push-pull configuration is not much more efficient than just a pull.

 

For future reference, these ones from NorthWest Import Parts fit perfectly:

https://www.northwestimportparts.com/MGB-Emblem-medium-blind-retainer-clip-70-72-d2433.aspx

I'll report back if the Mini-Mania ones also fit when they come in.

 

I think the new Spal fans do both. More air and less current draw.
R

 

All needed information can be found here: http://www.countach.ch/fans.html

 

The ones from Mini-Mania are identical, and thus look like they would be a perfect fit:

https://www.minimania.com/part/GHF1531/Classic-Austin-Mini-Plastic-Clip--Insert-For-Badges

 

Thanks Rob - that would be ideal!

 

Thanks Ryamond - I've read that a couple of times in preparation. I've also ordered new air filters (just replacements, not as extensive as your alterations) as I figured "while I'm in there..."

 

I still have the BMC filters, sold Joe the car with the stock filter boxes.

 

And speaking of that blown fuse - both times the plastic of the fuse has melted at one end - so the fuse isn't just "blowing the fuse" it's getting the holder hot enough at one end to melt the end of the fuse - should I be checking the fusebox? Could the fusebox be part of the problem?

 

very common, Dean. I was going through fuses like water through a sieve! I completely rebuilt my box and split the fans to run on seperate circuits. So, each of the 4 fans has its own seperate fuse and relay. Here is a shot of what my old box looked like and what it looked like after I rebuilt it. Since this, I’ve not blown one fuse.

Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

That looks like very nice work! Although I seem to be changing different fuses to those - I'm just changing a 25 amp fuse in the normal fuse panel?

 

Dean,

I should have asked which Countach you have! LOL! The fusebox I showed above was only used in the ‘85, ‘86 and possibly into ‘87 model 5000QV’s. If you have a later model, or 25th Anni, this page from Raymond’s Countach site should help you:

http://www.countach.ch/Fusebox/index.html

Mike

 

I had a friend that built a Countach Replica many years ago with a jag v12, he had one push fan and one pull per side, after months of testing he removed the push fans, and had no more cooling issues, it turned out that you should not put push and pull together, as they cannot be in sync, and the push is trying to force air through the pull blades, the end result is a lower airflow ,than a single pull and Spal is the brand to get.

 

My Pantera could sit in traffic all day & run cool. Get up to highway speeds & it would slowly get hot. I replaced the radiator with a bigger high cool unit & changed the thermostat. I bled the system out overnight, jacking the back of the car up in the air, to remove any air pockets. Still did the exact same thing. So I had it running in the driveway and was trying to figure out why. As I got to the front of the car I could feel air blowing. What? The fans were wired backwards. It was pushing air through the radiator, out towards the front. That was the problem. I doubt that's your problem, but it is also an Italian car & easy to rule out.

 

Mike,

I have an 86 QV, but my fuse panel is under the dash, and has a row of about 15 fuses on it. Nothing like that.

Dino

 

That's what I've heard too, is that a push and a pull are less efficient than just one on its own. Might have to consider options here.

 

Heh - not a common fault, but I will check that too just to make sure! Although, I've not seen cooling issues when the fans are running - just when this fuse blows it tends to heat up fairly quickly and cool pretty slowly even at speed - makes me think the radiators rely on the fans for good airflow.

 

That might be a difference for a fi car. My 5000s has everything under the dash on the passenger side as well.

 

Dean,

the Fuse/Relay box you are looking for is in the rear trunk (LH side) behind a panel. Open the trunk, look to the left and you’ll see a black plastic knurled knob on the side panel. Unscrew that, remove the panel and you will see the box. If you have an ‘86, chances are it will look just like mine above. Lamborghini in their infinate wisdom used a plastic box and then screwed a lid on it so it couldn’t breath. And with 4 relays in there, it gets hot..... FAST!

Here is a shot from Raymond’s site showing his box (you can also see the radio antenna too).

http://www.countach.ch/fusebox.html

Mike

 

Sorry - should have clarified that it's a downdraft.

 

Mike,

The fuse I'm having trouble with is the one in the fusebox under the dash. It's a 25 amp fuse for the "fans" which seems to be the cooling fans and the interior cabin fans as one circuit, as once it goes I lose my A/C fans too. But I know where the fuse that is blowing is, and it's not the one in the rear trunk - I've already replaced it twice, and it's under the glovebox.

Dino

 

Yes, I'm aware of that. I am thinking the difference in wiring, like Mike's, is for the fi version.

 

Ah - sorry, now I understand. I think it's just confusion as to which fusebox, because the page on Raymond's Countach site Mike referred to is a Swiss Downdraft, which is what mine is too. The part numbers for the 5000S and the QV are the same also - 006775095.