Removing the fan housing strap : Can't without cutting or removing the distributor?
 

Let me get this straight: You can't remove the fan housing strap on a 76 2.7l without either cutting it or removing the distributor?

Also, does this alternator really need that shroud? IT makes things very awkward, since the wiring harness is so short. The braided ribbon that grounds the alternator to the block broke at the block, so I need a new one. I'm guessing loosening the nut on the block stud is a no-no right? Heavy sigh.

Mick,

I'm not sure about the fan strap removal on that engine, but removing the distributor is easier that you think - put engine at TDC for cylinder 1, make sure that the rotor is pointing at the hash mark on the distributor body (where the cap sits), remove the adjustment nut, and it pulls right out (needs some force, since the o-ring on the shaft housing is likely stuck pretty good in the bore).

Yes, the air foil/cone is absolutely necessary to guide the incoming air, or it takes the path of least resistance and shoots to the back of the shroud. You can remove that case nut for the ground strap - no problem at all. I replaced the strap on mine with some insulated, 10gauge wire that I put the proper sized ring ends on. I make the wire longer than the original strap so that I could work with it more easily. Works great.

I don't wanna mess with teh distributor at this point. Maybe later.


the wire braid will definitely be replaced. There's a hole in the insulation on the wire that goes into the rubber boot, I will need to repair that too. Wiring harness is way too short, if you ask me.
I think I'll need a new shroud, as the holes that the bolts that hold the fan housing to the shroud are ripped open . The strap isn't doing a good enough job of holding the fan housing in the right place, which is why I disassembled this in the first place.

Thanks for the response.

The housing strap should come out with distributor installed, at least it does on a 2.4. You do have to bend it though to feed it through. The earth strap case nut is OK to undo as mentioned. The shroud is important, just use washers to re-secure if the holes are damaged.

I have removed the strap on my '74 2.7. It's a pain and has to be bent funny to pull it through a small channel that is under the fan area. I did not have to remove the distributor.

+3, on a 3.2, just have to bend it back and forth to get it out. A pita to deal with.

Strap will scratch when removing/installing if not protected.

Why do you have to remove it? No need just to get at the wires.

I don't have to. The crank pulley was digging into the fan housing and I want to make sure the housing gets put back in the right place.

I just went throught this. The ground strap goes on the rear most stud. (mine was on the 2nd stud) with the fan shroud out, install ground strap; easy to torque to 18 ft lb

I just replaced my housing strap, and for what it is worth, if you are willing to remove your distributor, fan/alternator housing and a/c support bracket and mount the installation of the new strap is exteemly easy. While you Might be able to do it without the removal of either the a/c
components or distributor, it will require considerable bending of the strap, and you will likely have some scratches.

And why the aversion to removing the dizzy?