Hi guys. The question I have today is fitment for my fan belt. I have tried to measure my belt by putting the adjustment at it's smallest point. Useing a piece of string I measured around the crank,fan and waterpump. I am getting a measurement of 34 3/4". I dont find any belts that are close to that size. I have a 36" belt and it comes close to getting tight but not quite. Any suggestions? I don't know if it helps but my truck is a 1926 TT. I have learned alot from you guys and hope to learn more. Thanks a million,
Mark
Your local auto parts store should have a serpentine belt the right length. If they don't have one wide enough run 2 narrower ones. They last forever. It doesn't matter if you run the grooved side in or out.
Model T's don't have water pumps. Are you sure it is a Model T?
The belt should be just tight enough to turn the fan (and pump). If they will turn when the adjustment is at its farthest you should be OK. To get the right measurement, turn the adjustment to the closest and measure, then buy the shortest belt which is more than that measurement. The problem with getting the belt is that the Model T was not designed with a water pump so when you install a pump, the pulley sizes vary and because of that you will need a special sized belt. Even though the catalogs give a year and belt with water pump, your pulleys on the engine could have been changed from original too. So you will need to find a belt that fits, and if you cant get one from the Model T parts suppliers, try an auto parts store, as Donald says. Problem with Auto Parts stores, is some clerks there only know how to look up the make and model car in their computer, and if it is not there, they don't have the knowledge (I was going to say intellegence, but thats not nice) to look through their stock to find one which will fit.
Norm
Thanks for the advice guys. I'll try to install the 36" belt. I think the pump is turning as I have had it on the engine before and it stayed on with no problems. The 34" belt is 3/4" too short so I don't think I can get it on. My local auto parts says they have one the right lenght but mine is 1 1/8" wide and the one the have is only 13/16". Thanks again and I'll stay in touch.
If the pulleys are properly aligned and have the proper crown, the narrower belt should work.
I have heard that some folks have had success with the modern serpentine belts. If you buy a modern serpentine belt with the little grooves on it do you run the grooves on the pulleys or do you run it on the smooth side ? They have many sizes.
I have run mine both ways, Frank. I recommend groove side to the pulleys for greater traction with same tension.
It's interesting that the V6 in the Windstar, Freestar and Monterey use the back side of the belt to drive the waterpump. Mine show rust on the front of the pulley, which means the pulley is slipping. I squirt belt dressing on the smooth side of the belt and on the pulley once in awhile. Dunno if a new belt would help, but that's a lot of work.
rdr
Don't bother with consumer type belts.
If you seek out an industrial supplier the choices are nearly "endless".......
The industrial series is a J12 which is 1 1/8" wide with 12 ribs.
For example a 310J12 is 31" on the OD......like that >>> http://www.beltfrog.com/part/106003643/Belt-310J12-Bando
I run mine flat side out too and they work better than any ordinary flat belt ever would.