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TR2/3/3A TR 3A Fan belt and Crank pully question.

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Tinkerman

Tinkerman

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I have a new fan belt purchased from one of the big three. I was in the process of putting it on and notice that it is going to be a real struggle to get it on, as in pry bar time. Is that normal for a new belt for the TR? I have installed many a new fan belt and don't remember that type of a struggle. Maybe my memory is fading or is it typical of the TR3's.

Next question is there anything magical about the hole on the back of the fan pully? I know that it is supposed to allign with the pointer on the timing chain cover but I changed the cam and subsequently the timing. should I take it all apart and put it together correctly (big pain) or just paint and scribe a line where it needs to be (much easier)?

As Always your thoughts and suggestions greatly appreciated.

Tinkerman
 
Tinkerman said:
I have a new fan belt purchased from one of the big three. I was in the process of putting it on and notice that it is going to be a real struggle to get it on, as in pry bar time. Is that normal for a new belt for the TR? I have installed many a new fan belt and don't remember that type of a struggle. Maybe my memory is fading or is it typical of the TR3's.
Click to expand...

My memory is fading as well, but I think it's typical because I bought a Gates belt that is slightly longer to ease installation. This was quite a few years ago, but I'll try to find the part number if you're interested. I do remember that it was in the Truck and Tractor Catalog, not the Automobile Catalog.
 
The hole mark is TDC and the 4 degrees that they usually time at is about a ÂĽ or so south of that, so you will need that mark for finding top Dead Center for number one piston. I mean the crank shaft is still the same, right. The fan belts are all too tight when they first go on. Be careful, I have a couple of stories I would rather forget when it comes to putting those on.
 
According to several people (and my archives) the Gates belt is P/N TR28386. I got mine from NAPA as P/N 25-24379 (but someone said the NAPA belt is made by Gates).
Cummins 178539WRZ appears to be similar, with steel cords instead of plastic.

These belts are a 'B' profile, which is shorter and narrower than the (obsolete) original belt profile. So they ride a bit lower in the pulleys than the original belt (and proper reproductions of the original). But they seem to work just fine, and last a long, long time. Also a lot easier to install.
 
Oh yeah, I'd put the hole back where it belongs, if only to avoid future cursing of the DCO when I forget it's wrong.

Also, you can use the starter to 'walk' the new belt onto the WP pulley. Just be careful to keep your fingers out of harms way ! Thread it around the other pulleys, then pull it over the snout of the WP pulley. Stand on the RH side of the car, push on the belt with your right thumb just below where it needs to climb into the groove, then push the starter button with your left hand. Then go take the transmission out of gear and try again :jester:
 
I concur with Randall's NAPA alternate belt (NAPA part # NBH 2524379), it is 3/4" x 38.625" belt and I have used one now for several years.

The TRF belt is a tight fit and I think the stiffness of the belt make installation difficult. It is a good fit once in place. As I recall, if you try to remove as much slack as you can between the water pump pulley and the crank pulley, you can get the belt on the dynamo pulley with the generator up against the block.
 
You can just take the fan pulley aapart and re-align the TDC hole to it's proper position. The pulley hub is keyed so it can only go on the crank one way. But the pulley can be rotated after you remove the 6 5/16" nuts and bolts.

While you're at it, slip on the new belt before reassembling.
 
Thanks for all of your suggestions. As they say around here "I got er did". I had done nothing overtly stupid, just hadn't taken it far enough. As sp53 alluded to, you really can't screw up top dead center, its either on it or close to it. In my case I was within probably 3 or 4 degrees so now it is TDC and all the planets line up and the sun is shining.

Peter's idea of taking the fan pully apart and putting in the fan belt worked fine. However I do believe I will get a longer one to keep in the spares box. Now I think I will go sit on the front porch, have a libation, smoke a cigar and enjoy being a member of the BCF!

Again thanks for all of your help!

Tinkerman
 
TR3driver said:
Oh yeah, I'd put the hole back where it belongs, if only to avoid future cursing of the DCO when I forget it's wrong.

Also, you can use the starter to 'walk' the new belt onto the WP pulley. Just be careful to keep your fingers out of harms way ! Thread it around the other pulleys, then pull it over the snout of the WP pulley. Stand on the RH side of the car, push on the belt with your right thumb just below where it needs to climb into the groove, then push the starter button with your left hand. Then go take the transmission out of gear and try again :jester:
Click to expand...

Hey Tinkerman,...as an alternative, consider , getting the belt as far as you can on the pulley, and while the car is in 4th gear move it forward, or backwards rolling the belt on. I've never liked having my fingers that close to moving machinery.
Good luck..Bob
 
Hi Bob, used to live in Flower Mound! Really miss all the good BBQ.

Tinkerman
 
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