<VV> Fan belt problems

[Larry Forman]

Hi Mark,
In addition to John Ryall's excellent advice, I like to use an industrial 
belt that works perfectly, which is the Gates 3VX560.  I get these from an 
industrial supplier at reasonable costs.  This belt is only 3/8-inch wide 
and sits down in the V-groove better.  Make sure the idler pulley is 
aligned so the belt is about 90 degrees.  If it is too far forward or 
backward it will throw belts.  The 3VX560 is about the right length to make 
everything be aligned right.  Don't over tighten the belt, as John 
notes.  You might need to retention the belt after a day or so.  Check it 
frequently the first week.  You could also have the blower bearing higher 
than it should be, if someone improperly pressed in a new blower bearing 
rather than heating the engine top cover.  If the blower bearing shaft 
mating part was galled when pressed in, then the blower bearing can become 
loose when hot and rise or lower causing alignment problems.  The Shop 
Manual has proper installed height.  Try the Gates belt before checking 
along with either the silicone spray or try Gaskacinch as a belt dressing.

Larry


At 05:46 AM 3/16/2004 -0500, Paula Tilsley wrote:
>I have owned my Corvair about 3 weeks and have been through as many fan
>belts.  They all do the same thing before they break.  The belt coming
>off the alt. flips on its back on the rear flange of the crank pulley.
>It will actually stay like that until I catch it or it breaks.  Ive
>tried flipping the belt when I catch it.  Does this work?  I tension to
>= deflection.  Would adjusting the alt position or a pulley tensioner
>help?
>Thanks,
>Mark Tilsley
>65 <mailto:markt17@fuse.net>  turbo vert