Pwdr coating fan-did I screw up?

[4to8m8]

Just gave my fan and housing to the powder coater. Asked to have the whole fan done in crimson red. (not the back side) As I search for pics of other fans I now see nobody appears to have the center of the fan colored? The part the belt attaches to. They all seem to be silver. Powder coater said it would be another $100 to have the dual colors so I said just do the who;e thing in red. Am I going to have fit problems with the belt?

[Kurt B]

Hmm...I wouldn't powder coat that part. It will either wear off from the belt or it won't. Either way, doesn't seem like it will cause anymore trouble than what it does to the belts you put on there until that part is rubbed free.
but someone else oughta know something about this.

[4to8m8]

Kurt - I trust you. You've givin great advice in the past. I really don't care if the belt rubs the color off. I just wanted to make sure the center wasn't an off limits area.

[bell]

if it wasn't done you may need to sand/file the powder coating off of the fan tips, as it will cause a clearance issue with the fan housing.

[4to8m8]

BELL - I have anticipated having to do this. What is the best method? Small sanding block and some fine paper?

[toolman]

I powder coated my fan and housing and had no trouble at all, put it together and test fit before you start to worry.

[bell]

i found light sand paper on a block worked best, a smal file works but can chip/flake the edge of the coating easily.

[Hetmann]

Make sure your fan is balanced after everything you do to it.

[ZOA NOM]

You may have overheating problems if you leave powdercoat on the area where the belt is supposed to grip the fan. I would remove it. The belt must maintain a good grip on the fan to provide airflow over the motor. I would avoid any potential compromise to the cooling of these motors.

[ipapilot]

The only part of mine that was taped prior to powdercoating was at the hub where the spacers fit. I don't think the powdercoating has worn off yet where the belt rubs (1.5yrs of limited driving). I did have to sand down the tips to clear the shroud...

[davejordan]

The powdercoating is thicker than it might seem. I ground it off both the inner belt race and fan tips with a scotchbrite wheel on an air grinder. Fan tips hit the shroud in a couple of spots, and was concerned that the coating would wear off the race loosening the belt at some point.

Also the fan shroud powdercoating had to br ground out of the alternator housing to allow fitment. (found that out a bit late- what a PAIN it was to punch the alternator back out!)

Dave

[4to8m8]

Wonderfull, I'm sure I'm going to have to hack, sand, chip and pound it back together. I'm gonna stop worry'ing.

Wet Okole's on the way!

[86 911]

I didn't powerdercoat my fan, but used high temerature paints. I had a clearance issue with the fan, so what I did was file each tip of the blade evenly until there was enough clearance. FYI, putting the fan back on is a PITA because you have to make sure that the half-moon chip stays on the shaft, and making sure the belt washers stay on while putting the belt on. You'll see what I mean.

[davejordan]

No worries- aint no big thang

dave

[TerryH]

No problems here. The belt won't slip on the paint because there is basically little resistance to turning the alternator. If the belt starts slipping you have other problems.

Important not to paint the ends of the blades nor the back of the housing where the alternator seats. Both are tight fits. I had them mask those areas off before coating. The transformation is huge as mine were pretty badly pitted/corroded.

[Emission]

Originally posted by TerryH

Yellow looks cool.

[4to8m8]

Guys - If I've lost the "HALF MOON CHIP" that 86 911 mentioned, is it a hard bugger to find. Can I get one at any ol alt shop? I didn't know what the heck it was or where it came from during dissasembly. After work I have to search my work bench for it.

[TerryH]

Woodruff key is available at alt shop or hardware store.