Winter project blues...do I quit?

[David 84 911]

During this long Montreal winter, I decided to paint my fan, housing etc…When I got is almost all apart, I realized the bolts won't come off because the associated screw turns with it (unsure if they are broken inside). Not being familiar with the inside of this fan, I turn to my fellow PP members to give me insight into whether or not I leave this alone to avoid a major problem.

[jpnovak]

Keep turning them. The bolts should be threaded through the back half of the alternator housing. This means that as you turn the nut couterclockwise you will be tightening the bolt. It should eventually bottom out the head and then the nut can turn off the bolt.

[David 84 911]

Just tried that, still shooting blanks...I am worried that in the event I do get them off, I will not be able to screm back on without them turning. Do you know if these bolts can be solidified once the whole thing is apart?

Cheers eh...

[DUK]

Take the fan off the front and hold the screw with an allen wrench. You should be able to hold the screw and then back the nut off. Once you get the alternator out you can address the reason the screws are turning.

[David 84 911]

Thanks Duke,

If I understand correctly I can remove the fan prior to taking the back off? The big nut won't budget does it turn clockwide or counter to come off? Are we taking about the same nut

[efhughes3]

Mine had hex heads, I was helping a buddy tonight who had Phillips head, and here we have Allen head discussed.

The bottom line is that those 6 "bolts/screws" go all of the way thru the alternator. With the fan out of the way, you'll have access to hold them while taking the nuts on the other side off.

PS- That is the nut, counterclock to come off.

[DUK]

That's not a nut. The shaft has a key and the fan slides over it. They are usually stuck a little and may take a little persuasion. I got mine off with a little penatrating oil and a slight tap from a plastic hammer.

[Mysterytrain]

Thats not a big nut! thats the other half of the pulley. Its CAD plated and riveted to the magnesium fan. You can see the rivets in your picture. The threaded shaft that is sticking out is the alternator shaft. So, you need to slide that center hub/ fan assembly off of that shaft. 25 years of corrosion is what is fighting you. I think the pros have some tricks to help with the task. Some WD-40 or whatever you like, maybe some heat on the hub [where the arrow is] maybe a gear puller? Be kind to the threads.

[David 84 911]

There is something I do not get here.... I cannot get my nuts off the back cover (slipping) so I can disconnect the wires so I can pull the who fan out which will allow me to knock it apart to then have access to the bolds. I am trying to figure out a way to get the fan off but as far as I understand, I have to first disconnect the wires which require the cover to be removed and nuts to come off.

[David 84 911]

MysteryTrain, you have cleared the mistery for me. I finally understand my options. I will go to some pulling and see what I can do. Thanks, I will post my results later.

PS: Now you know why my signature says mechanic wannabe

Cheers eh...

[efhughes3]

Yikes, I didn't look at the pic very closely!

[David 84 911]

As you can see I got it off! THANKS.

[Sapporo Guy]

Originally Posted by David 84 911

... I cannot get my nuts off ...

Sorry I couldn't help myself

[Fritz Peyerl]

David, I had the same problem with one bolt, it kept turning.
Finally I recognized that the bolt was broken and stuck in the alternator hole.
be carefull with the fan, those blades brake easy. I just broke #2 during beadblasting.

Fritz

[David 84 911]

Thanks for the word of caution. I hopes "my nuts" all stay in one piece.

[Zef]

You're the FAN man Dave...!

[David 84 911]

I noticed this small NIC in one of the fan blades last year. Car was running great. I have no idea who to seek to fix it and if I can prefer to leave it as is. Any opinions on if it matters?

[DanielDudley]

Just smooth it out with some sandpaper.

[David 84 911]

Thanks, I will and if ever it appears to be unbalanced (which it shouldn't as it was already like that), I will do one the same on the opposite end.

Cheers!

[Buckterrier]

A welder could put a small 'blob' on it then you could shape it. I had to do that to the housing when I had it out. One of the thread hole bosses was cracked. I had a guy weld it up for 10 bucks, took it home and shaped it myself. Just be sure to tell the guy it's magnesium not aluminum. What about polishing instead of painting? tehe