Can't Install My Fan Belt

[BLB27]

I purchased a 32" endless fan belt for my 1927 coupe. I can not get it on. I have installed a new water outlet piece as shown in the attached photo. I have the outlet piece adjusted for the shortest belt position. Comments/suggestions would be appreciated.

[Scott_Conger]

Because you gave the length of the belt, I have to assume that it isn't that you can't finagle it around the pulleys, but that it is simply too short (?)

If that is the case, adjust your fan pulley to it's lowest setting, wrap a string around everything that the belt is going to turn and then measure the string - that is your belt length.

[ModelTWoods]

A 32" belt is the norm for a stock 26-27 engine with no modifications. A 36" belt is the norm for the same years with an engine with a side mounted water pump. Assuming you don't have a pump, the only thing else that can change the belt dimension are the diameter of the pulleys on the fan and crankshaft. From the photo, it appears that I see a replacement pulley under the water outlet to the radiator. If you are using replacement pulleys on either the fan, or the crankshaft, or both, and you have the original pulleys, measure the diameter of each to make sure that they are very close in size. also, measure the belt you are trying to install. It may be mis-marked with the wrong length. If all checks out, do as Scott suggested and get a total length measurement by wrapping a string (not a rope) around the pulleys.

[Mark Nunn]

I may be thinking of someone else, but I thought you installed a spring-type ratchet pin for easy removal. If I am correct, remove the ratchet from your hand crank to ease belt installation. I left my ratchet on and managed to slip my belt between it and the pulley. Turning the crank helped guide the belt on.

[DanTreace]

I purchased a 32" endless fan belt for my 1927 coupe. I can not get it on. I have installed a new water outlet piece as shown in the attached photo. I have the outlet piece adjusted for the shortest belt position. Comments/suggestions would be appreciated.

That belt length should work. If you have also mounted a modern crank pulley, with the raised flanges, try this method to install the belt.

1. Remove the hand crank rachet from hand crank, for access to get that belt to go around that lower pulley.

2. Loosen and rotate the 26-27 eccentric on the fan pulley to lowest point.

3. Slip the fan belt over the fan blades first, and then hang the belt on that upper fan pulley.

4. Pull the fan belt down, and slip/push the edge of the belt over the lower pulley flange so the belt is on the lower pulley.

5. Reinstall the crank handle and its rachet.

6. Adjust the fan pulley to have the belt just firm, not tight on the pulley, push the fan with the fingers and it should slip with a few pounds of force. Check and adjust after 50 miles, as belts can stretch.

[BLB27]

I measured with a string before ordering the 32" belt. The reason it doesn't fit may be that the diameter of new fan hub is larger than the original hub. I will check that. The pulley on the crank is the original one.

I have ordered a 33 1/8" belt.