Fan install question

[Ron.G]

OK, I did'nt want to ask this on the forum but I'll have to swallow my pride and own up to the fact that I just can't figure it out

I installed a new alternator last night and when I was getting everything back together, I could'nt get the belt back on.

I tried to put the belt over the alternator shaft and then put on the pulley but I was not happening while trying to hold the extra shims inside the pulley half. I have the pulley that also ran a air pump at one time so it's kinda deep.

Even if I could get the pulley and shims some what on the shaft, the belt width will not let me get the pulley nut threaded.
Just another little project that turns into a pain in the ars.

The set up before I removed it:
one thick shim between pulley halfs.
four thinner shims under the nut.
I'm putting it back the same way but I'm stumped.

Another quick question:
The aletnator that I put in has the internal regulator.
In order to install the air deflector on the back of it I had the cut a small portion so the regulator would fit in it.
Is this a bad thing?
Will my engine bust into flames? Have I just hacked up my perfectly good 911? Or is this something most do but don't admitt it?

Thanks for all your help!

[Pat Crellin]

The mod on the air deflector won't hurt it at all. My '84 is designed that way.

So far as getting the belt on, is the fan housing in correctly? Is the strap back on and in position?

Getting the fan housing in position was my only challenge, then the belt slipped right in position and the shims and nut pulled it tight.

[Ron.G]

The housing looks to be correct and the fan strap is on and tightened.
It almost seems like the belt is to short but it was on there before.....

[Pat Crellin]

I'm stumped, I would always put a new belt on when you do your alternator but that's not your problem.
Before I recently did my alternator I really searched the threads and I don't recall your issue at all.

Sorry I can't help, good luck.

Next

[Sonic dB]

Put some grease or vasaline on and inbetween the shims so that they stick together...this way, you do not have to be so concerned about holding them. The more shims that you put on the inside of the belt, the tighter it rides in the valley. You mention having 5 shims... there is supposed to be 6

[masraum]

I helped a buddy put a new belt on his, he had the double pulley. It took many tries before I got the shims to stay in place and get the nut started. I suppose some grease to hold them in place might not be a bad thing.

On the single pulley in my car it was easier, but still the biggest pain of the whole process.

[TerryH]

Are you sure the fan is completely installed? Is it back as far as it will go? I also have the double pulley and mine was no problem when I replaced my alt last week. I measured the thickness of the fan hub and then the alt shaft, that determined how much shaft should extend outside the fan. Unfortunately, I didn't write that figure down.

[magic930]

You shouldn't have to "hold" any shims they should fit nicely on the shaft. I think your fan may not be pushed on far enough.

[TerryH]

Originally posted by Sonic dB
Put some grease or vasaline on and inbetween the shims so that they stick together...this way, you do not have to be so concerned about holding them. The more shims that you put on the inside of the belt, the tighter it rides in the valley. You mention having 5 shims... there is supposed to be 6

I think the "one thick shim" is actually two fused together.

As Sonic said, use some grease to hold the wad of shims together. Makes them easier to control, especially when having to work inside the deeper pulley.

[Ron.G]

It is possible that the fan is not on all the way. I'll put the pulley on and thighten it up to push in on the pulley and see what happens. If it's not all the way, it's not by much.
It just seems odd that the the space between the belt and the alternator shaft is only about a half inch. not leaving much room to put on the pulley.

I checked the housing to make sure it was sitting down on it's perches and it all bolted up nicely. but I'll double check again tonight. although it can't go down any further because of the crank pulley........

The belt is new. It was put on when the engine was rebuilt 200 miles ago. I picked up another to make sure it is the correct lenth but the one I bought looks as small as the other so it can't be that.
Humbled buy a fan belt.... I should be shot

Maybe some beer will help.

[TerryH]

....am wondering now if your belt is too short. You put this belt on 200 miles ago and suddenly your alternator fails. Did your alt fail electrically or mechanically. That belt may be putting a huge load on the bearings.

[Ron.G]

Well we figured it out.
First the fan was not pressed on all the way. I tightened the nut without the pulley on to drive it on.
Then the shims I have are not complete. I have a thick mystery shim and three thin shims that belong with the car.

I'll be ordering the correct shims from PP today.
Thanks for all your help once again.

[Sonic dB]

you are welcome

[aj88cab]

With all this pully, shim, and belt stuff going on, please don't forget that woodruff key.

[copper]

I've had my alternator out about 3 times in the last 2 weeks. Most recently for my engine drop.

The easiest way I've found to get the belt on and off is to put the fan in place, hook up the wires in back, then lean it forward towards the engine mount cross bar. This gives enough slack for the belt to loop over the pulley. Then lean the fan back into position and secure.

[Ron.G]

I thought of that but did not know if that was a no no.
Besides that would be to easy.

Next time thats exactly what I'll do. thanks for the tip.