Fan Shroud Strap??

jbrand540 · 05-13-2008, 11:51 AM

My fan shroud strap has began to tear at the bolt and I believe I will replace it with the rennline unit. I have read the distributor needs to be removed to gain good clearance to replace the factory strap while the rennline unit supposedly does not require this. Do I need to remove the distributor just to get the factory strap out or can it come out easily?

Second how big of a PITA is the strap swap? Does anything else need to be removed or is simply unbolt the strap, slide it out and slide new one in?

Rot 911 · 05-13-2008, 12:10 PM

Just take the distributor out. Take the cap off, note where the rotor is pointing, disconnect coil wire(s) remove one bolt, pull out the distributor. You can do it as fast as I typed this.

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 05-13-2008, 12:43 PM

Kurt's right, but it is easy to replace the distributor "one tooth off." If the procedure scares you--i.e. you've never timed a distributor before--it is possible to cut the old strap in half in a way that allows it to be removed with the distributor in place, and the Rennline unit can be installed with the distributor in place. (Even if you do simply remove and replace the distributor, the timing should be rechecked. Also, if you inadvertently do something that moves the position of the rotor while the distributor is out, you'll need to know how to replace it correctly, which involves finding TDC of #1 and aligning the rotor with the timing mark on the inside of the distributor. It's not rocket science, but it does assume you own a good timing light.)

I did the Rennline strap just last week, though I did happen to have the distributor out. Still had to cut the stock strap to get it out, though.

By the way, the Rennline comes with an 8x35mm Allen head clamping bolt. I had to use a 40mm bolt--no way the strap would come together enough to accept the 35mm bolt, so I'd suggest having a 40mm standing by, or just ask Rennline to supply one with the strap. When I called Rennline, they said, "Uh, yeah, we've heard of that happening sometimes..."

euro911sc · euro911sc's Garage

Getting the old strap out was a real PITA and my engine was coming apart... if yours is already ripping, just help it along with some good tin snips and it will be a lot easier.

Best regards,

Michael

rusnak · 05-13-2008, 01:58 PM

you are talking about the '85 Cab? Remove distributor, no problem. For easier installation, find TDC before removal. The reason I think this is a good idea is that you can check your distributor busing for wear and radial play. These cars are getting older, and it is going to become a failure point for many 3.2s.

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 05-13-2008, 02:29 PM

I really think we need to be a bit careful about too casually offering such advice as "just pull the distributor out" without even knowing if the poster owns, or has ever used, a timing light. "Remove distributor, no problem" could very well be true. Or not.

78targa · 78targa's Garage

Stephan,

A good warning. How many posts have we seen where someone pulled parts off of their car and are now scrambling to figure out exactly how they go back on!

Good luck! If you do move the distributor, don't forget to mark its alignment! Also make sure you are comfortable with setting the timing, just in case.

mca · 05-13-2008, 04:01 PM

First of all ... it is a PITA even with dizzy out.

Mine tore in the same place. It takes quite a bit of bending, pushing, and pulling to get it out. Coat that baby with some WD40 so that it slides out a little easier.

Also, getting the new one on can be tough too. It goes in pretty easy but getting the through bolt through both ends of the strap is a challenge. I had to borrow my neighbors claps in order to get the two ends close enough to thread the through bolt.

Good luck!

mhicks85 · 05-13-2008, 04:47 PM

Removing and reinstallimg the distributor is not hard to do, just follow the distributor timing procedure in the technical articles section. Be careful you should only turn the crank CW and the pulley has a TDC mark and a Before TDC mark (at 5 deg before TDC). When you pull the distributor it will turn a little as it comes off the drive gear. I believe you have to put it back with the rotor a little CCW of where it is supposed to end up. It will turn again on the drive gear as is goes in. If it doesn't return to the exact spot then you'll have to lift turn and try again. The strap comes out without to much trouble with the distributor removed.