front of engine "low"

F

fordmerc7

Member
What can cause engine to rest "too low" in front? This is an extension of the problem that my fan belt cuts the lower radiator hose! (New car for me)
The car has Float-a Motor mounts on rear (I can read "this side up" on them), crank seems to go in straight and level with floor (possibly very very slight downward slope?) As little as I can see, the front motor mount looks OK but I'm no expert.
What could have been done incorrectly at the front to drop the front of the engine so the fan belt cuts the hose? Obviously I'm looking for a solution.
Thanks
 
might be best to show us a picture of your front motor mount. there have been oodles of aftermarket setups over the years.

too long of a belt can cause rubbing issues too, aftermarket radiators where the outlet isnt quite in the same spot as ford put it, worn/broken front motor mount, broken front crossmember, improper radiator/crossmember too. oodles of issues that can be address with a few pics.
 
Could you take pictures of the mount and how the fan comes into contact with the radiator hose?
 
there are 3 images attached, the best image I can get of the motor mount (admittedly not much), the fanbelt on the hose and the hose as cut by the belt. I don't like the looks of the motor mount bolt!
 

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Are you sure that the belt is not too long?With the right belt,when they're new,most of the time you have to pull the mounting bolt of the generator,hook the pulley under it,and then slide the bolt back in.That's why you see so many old broken pulleys.People try to force the belt on with a screwdriver.The generator should be up pretty tight to the block.An overall picture of that would help.
 
Keith True said:
Are you sure that the belt is not too long?
Click to expand...

I know a lot of folks on 'The Barn' don't care for MAC's but they offer two sizes of fan belts. None of the other vendors do. I use the 43" belt. Maybe someone installed the longer 44" where it was not needed.

And no, I'm not trying to start an argument, just stating a fact. :cool:
 
What year car? Do you have the correct lower water pipe?

Your picture shows the bottom outlet pointing straight back, and flat tubes for the radiator, so I'd assume you have a 1930-1 car.

The bottom outlet points slightly down and outward on the 1928-9 radiators, and the lower water pipe has a curve closer to the bottom end of the pipe.
 
removing the generator bolt might work - I have a 43 in. belt that seemed too short and I can try that -- however, that doesn't get to the basic cause of the problem. Is it OK to have the generator touching the block?
the car is a '29; the radiator outlet angles out and measures same as 3 other cars I checked
 
I agree with Y-Blockhead in the wrong length of fan belt. I can't tell you what size I have in inches, but I can tell you after looking at it, there is approx. 1" - 1 1/4" between the generator pulley and the lower pipe.
 
I wonder if the belt is worn or is just too narrow? It does look like it's riding lower than usual in the pulleys. Otherwise an inch shorter belt should correct the problem. The belt on my 28 came from Bratton's over 10 years ago and still looks like new. Remember, they only need to be tight enough so the belt doesn't slip on any pulley.

Also, I noticed the 4 rivet/nuts for the generator front bearing retainer are installed backwards. This won't matter as long as the screws and nuts don't hit the pulley.
 
I had a similar problem. Installing a new set of springs to the front mount (Model A Front Motor Mount Set Snyders part # A-6031-S) fixed the problem.
 
didn't we have a thread on this general issue several months ago and many members thought it was more of a repro radiator issue? if his crank goes into the ratchet correctly, I don't see it being a motor mount spring problem.
 
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