<VV> Re: [fastvair] Fan Tensioner

[Louis C. Armer,Jr.]

Hey All, Scott and I have run a Lon tensioner on WTBRT # 112 for 
around three years and the tensioner
has been run on both the old engine (333 runs) and then transferred 
to the new engine (28 runs) for a total
of 361 runs and over 300 miles of street driving to break in the new 
engine. We have had a couple of belts
break but I feel that in each case it was not a tensioner fault. The 
most recent episode involved a belt which
we forgot to change and which was on the new engine for an 
undetermined time before we purchased the engine
and car from the previous owner. It might even have been an old belt 
reused just to see if the engine would start
and run after it's rebuild. We used no rev limiter on the old engine 
and we currently have the rev limiter set at 6200 +-
on the new engine. We use average belt tension and silicone the belts 
before each race as #112 sits outside in the
southeastern weather 365 days a year.

Chuck Armer
//////////////////////////////////////////////////
   At 01:25 AM 8/25/2006, you wrote:
>I've run both the Clark's and Lon's new style tensioner.
>I've had Lon's on the '66 140 sedan with a stock fan for about a year now
>with no issues. The car is street-driven with occasional forays into the
>5000-6000RPM territory. Never has thrown a belt.
>The Clark's (OTTO) style I ran in Orange Julius ('65 Corsa race car) in So.
>Cal. for about 8 years and in the PNW for 4 years. The fan was cut down and
>the only fan belts I threw were the wide type. Believe it or not, the very
>best fan belts were sold by K-Mart- and I still have 3 or 4 of then
>somewhere. These withstood regular 7000-8000RPM jaunts on autocross courses
>and at vintage racing events.
>So, my experience has been excellent with both styles of tensioner.
>Particularly with the OTTO style. it's all in the careful set-up of the
>geometry when you install it. Lon's tensioner doesn't require such care-
>slap it on and you're good to so.
>Andy Clark
>1966 140/4 Monza Sedan
>1966 140/4 Yenko Clone
>1966 180/4 Cord 8/10 #60

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

>----- Original Message -----
>From: "David Clemens" <yenko66 at cox.net>
>Sent: Thursday, August 24, 2006 6:46 PM
>Subject: Re: [fastvair] Fan Tensioner
> > I have run the tensioner from Lon Wall since it was first released. The
>first production had a weeker spring in it and mine threw a few belts in
>autocross conditions. When Lon had the problem fixed (second production run)
>He gave me a replacement spring for mine. Since I have installed that spring
>I have not thrown a belt in over 4years of competition. I have run Countless
>autocrosses and Several time trials all with no belt issue's.
> >
> > Prior to Lon's tensioner I tried both style tensioners that Clarks sells
>and neither of them worked very well. I was throwing belts at every
>autocross no matter how easy or hard I was shifting.
> >
> > Also for reference... I run a stock non cut down fan with a High output
>New style GM Alternator (73amp) I also run a stock fan pulley.
> >
> > I have used Lon's style tensioner on every customer car and none of them
>had any belt issue's.
> >
> > David Clemens
> > Stinger Motorsports
> >/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 
> /////////////////////
> >>   ----- Original Message -----
> >   From: Dave Keillor
> >   To: fastvair at yahoogroups.com
> >   Sent: Thursday, August 24, 2006 4:43 PM
> >   Subject: [fastvair] Fan Tensioner
> >
> >
> >   I'm looking for feedback on fan tensioners to be used on a Corvair that
> >   will see some autocross and track use. RPM in the 6,500 range. What
> >   are your experiences and comments on:
> >   -- Lon's new spring loaded design
> >   -- Clark's design
> >   -- Stock
> >   -- Other?
> >
> >   Dave Keillor
>////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

CORSA Member
CORSA Tri-membership Chairman
Corvair Atlanta Member
Corvair Atlanta BOD
Corvanatics Member
SECC Member

1965 Corsa Coupe
1964  Greenbrier
1966 Monza Convertible
1966 WTBRT #112 xcrosser 1/2 owner
http://carmerjr.home.mindspring.com/