Shoebox 8ba fan belt question

mrlaser

mrlaser

Senior Member
I have a stock 1951 Ford Victoria that has the 239ci 8ba v8 with the narrow fan and generator belts. I have recently installed a steel radiator shroud which has resulted in the fan scraping the lower portion of the shroud opening, even with the belt excessively tightened . The original belt's OD is 41inches. I purchased a modern 41inch belt which solved the interference issue. Unfortunately the belt has a narrower width and lower height than the original belt. My question is, could anyone provide specific information on a suitable belt with the correct profile and OD. As well as where it might be purchased. Any information would be appreciated
 
I'm sorry that I mistakenly stated that the modern belt was also 41inches when in fact it was 42inches. This allowed the fan to be adjusted a bit higher thus giving the fan blade additional clearance.
 
I was a phone company mechanic for 30-years and I also ran our parts departments. Fan belts obviously come in different widths. We must have had 75 belts on the wall. It just sounds like you got one to narrow for your pulleys, One good way to find the correct size belt is with an old "correct width" belt that has been cut. Bolt the fan in the center of the shroud and then wrap the belt around the pulley and measure what length you need. Try to make the fit tight when you measure it otherwise your fan might still hit shroud. Maybe even order a belt a half inch smaller than your measurement The belts come in the width you need in about 1/2" intervals so there should be one that works out. If your careful with the new one you can always take it back and exchange it for a size larger or smaller belt to get the fan centered in the shroud. I keep a bunch of different sized "cut" belt for building cars. There really handy for figuring out the belt length when I need something weird.
 
Thanks for your reply. The belt that I purchased is 3/8" at the top and 7/32 "tall". I measured the od of the original belt by applying masking tape to the perimeter then taking it off and measuring it. The replacement belt is one inch longer than the original at 42"od, and the added length allows the fan to be centered in the shroud. It just appears to sit too deep in the pulley for me to be comfortable with it. I do appreciate your help.
 
If the belt sits deep in the pulley, check if there is still a gap to the bottom of groove. If so, you can run the belt. It transports all the load on the sides of the V so some clearance below the belt is neccessary for maximum grip.
 
Just what Vencent said, as long as the bottom of the belt is not touching the bottom of the pulley's groove. The sides of the belt are what drive the pulleys.
 
Thanks again for your advice. I did check the new replacement belt's fit on the fan pulley. When properly tensioned, the belt had no clearance between it and the bottom of the pulley. I will get a wider belt and replace it .
 
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