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TR6 Changing TR-6 Fan Belt - Need Help!

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davidk

davidk

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I am in the middle of upgrading my 1974 TR-6 alternator to a GM unit, and need to install a longer fan belt. I have searched old posts, but I'm still not sure what to do.

The cross brace has less than about a half inch in front and behind it. If I slide the engine back, it seems like it will just make it to tight on the front side.

It looks like the cross brace needs to come out. The car is currently on jack stands since I'm also upgrading the braking system. Will jacking up the front frame member still help in removing the cross brace?

Thanks in advance for your help. This is bad enough at the house, I would hate to have to do this on the road.

David K.
 
I had a similar issue and I had to loose the cross brace on one side and very slightly jack one side of the car to allow enough space for me to get the belt on.

Getting the brace bolts back in was a MAJOR pain in my experience.

Several people suggested that the engine can be moved back on the motor mounts so this isn't an issue, but I have not done this.

I'd get several other opinions since I'm still very much in learning mode here...
 
Several People reporting here. Guys, these cars were designed for the fan belt to be changed on the road and that doesn't require one remove the cross brace. If the belt cannot be squeezed out then the engine is too close. Put it in the air on 4 sturdy jack stands, loosen the tranny mounts (these are on slotted holes), loosen the engine mounts (also slotted) (of course you will need to support the engine here - I would use your wheeled jack on the oil pan with maybe a large leather glove to keep it from scratching the pan) and once enough slack is out you can jamb something in front of the engine to slide it back may be 1/4" or so. Tighten everything up front and rear, remove the jack and you now have enough space to slip a belt out. Remember, your drive shaft is splined so it will give.
 
Bill- remember I had the same problem when
I installed the entire car wire harness and
converted to the GM Alternator?

I figured the same as you. These belts were changed
on the roadside. I got mine on by pulling ang tugging
and much cussing. But it finally went on without moving
the engine or removing any bolts, etc. There is some
"give" in the fan belt material when tug on it.

d
 
Thanks for the input. I still think I'm missing something.

I have tried pulling and pushing the belt and can't force it thru.

Removing the cross brace seems like a lot of work for a belt change.

I'm read to try moving the engine and trans back, but it seems like that will put the cross brace to close to the front pulley. I have attached a picture. Is there more than one fan extension available?

BTW, the fan in the picture is from TR6Bill. Thanks Bill.
 

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David, what am I missing here. What in the world is an extra fan pulley doing on your fan extension?? There should be no pulley on the front of your fan extension, just a steel donut called a "fan extension adaptor". Tell me that wasn't on there all along. I am confused. Look at the Moss catalog or Rimmer Bros. catalog online and see the blow-ups. There are not pulleys on the front. What gives? Also, your cross brace seems or appears in the photo to be compressed in the middle. Was that some weird addition? Did or does your car have air conditioning, perchance?
 
This car probably did have a/c. It came with a box of a/c parts (compressor, coils, etc). I looked in Moss, VB, and the TRF blue book. None of them show the fan extension I have. I may try to switch it out if I can find a regular fan extension. With that done, I could see how moving the engine back would make a difference. Does anyone need any a/c parts???
 
Yes, that is a fan extension for an AC equipped car. If no one offers up an old extension for you, you could always get one of those shiny 'billet' extension on Ebay or eliminate the fan and the extension and go to a 16" electric puller fan. Just some thoughts. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
 
davidk, I was going to take you up on your offer for the AC pasts,but after seeing your photo and where the Ac pulley is located, that nixed my plan for AC. Im running a 16" electric fan with Rick Patton's fan eliminator kit.
What is width of your fan belt (3/8 or 1/2)? The Gm alternators use a 3/8 pulley,so if your thinking of changing the fan extension, you could change to a harmonic balancer with a 3/8 pulley and use a 3/8" belt.That would give you 1/8" more clearance between the cross brace and the pulley. Im assuming you have the 1/2" pulley at present.
Two things would still exist. The pulley on the water pump and you would still have to take the cross brace out to change the harmonic balancer. I'm just thinking out loud.
Just a thought. Did I add more confusion.:smile:
Joe
 
Hi Joe. The fan belt is 1/2". I had a 1/2" pulley put on the GM alternator, so I think I'm okay there.

Thanks, David K.
 
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