Do You Have A Belt Problem?

G

Grampy

Member
A friend just bought one of the new aluminum two-blade fans to replace the original fan that has been on the car since he bought it several years ago. It mounts nicely to his water pump and all the pulleys are in alignment.
The problem arises when trying to put the fan belt on. It seems as though it’s too short. Upon closer examination we noticed the belt rides inside the crank pulley and the generator pulley, but does not fit “into” the fan pulley; rather it rides in the top 2/3’s of the pulley. There is clearly an eighth of an inch, or more, of space between the bottom of the belt and the bottom of the pulley.
We tried the belt that worked satisfactorily before the change, and we tried a new ‘stock’ replacement belt, and one of the cogged belts, all with the same result.
So many of you have commented that you are using the new fan, but no one has mentioned this problem. What belt are you using?

Appreciate your comments.
 
What ever belt you used to have, you will need to buy one an inch longer. That is one thing I did notice about the aluminum fan, that the groove should be a bit wider. With that said, the belt should never ride on the bottom of the groove. It should only grip the sides.
 
I noticed mine riding high in the pulley but have had no issues with function. I imagine with the cast aluminum material they had to keep some wall thickness for strength and that is where they altered the design instead of any outer dimensions. JMHO
 

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Craig, thanks for the picture - that's just what his looks like.

Tom, I guess I wasn't aware of proper belt fitment. We should double check the other two pulleys to be sure of what we thought we were seeing.
I think I see a longer belt in his future.

Thanks for the replies.
 
It is easy to get the belt in place if you remove the generator pulley. Put the belt in the pulley grooves, slip the generator pulley back over the generator shaft and install the pulley bolt, this is really easier than it sounds.
 
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