Another shim question...

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

My fan belt is too loose and makes that horrible screech when I give it a throttle blip. Today Charlie and I pulled the nut off and it turns out all 6 shims were already on the outside. Is it safe to add another one or two? Or is 6 the max? I was hoping there were a few on the inside to move out, but no dice. How else do I tighten it a bit? Thanks.

marcesq · marcesq's Garage

Richard:

You don't tighten the belt by adding spacers on the outside, in fact don't add any more spacers anywhere.

You need a different fan belt, either slightly shorter or wider. Take the one on there to Auto advantage and go crazy in the fan belt section.

Argo · 02-23-2003, 07:23 PM

Yup, when all 6 spacer are on the outside, your belt is likely stretched, worn or too big. FWIW, the spare belt that came with my car has the numbers: 999.192.176.50 and 9.5 x 710 FA 3G printed on it. It's a Porsche/Goodyear belt in a OE Porsche cardboard sleeve. I believe this is the right one; I'm sure someone here will have more definitive info. Also, be sure to buy a spare when you get your replacement.

Argo
88 Targa

BER · BER's Garage

Richard,

I just replaced my fan belt on my '84 Carrera. I used a 10x710 MM belt that I got from Pelican. You only use 6 total shims. I ended up with 2 on the inside and 4 outside the pulley.

Like the others have said, you probably have the wrong size belt or it's stretched.

Bruce

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Alright, I'll try a new belt. Though this one is new and comes from a reliable source. That's next weekend's project. Thanks.

RoninLB · 02-24-2003, 05:00 AM

you may have a 9.5 X 725 instead of the 9.5 X 710

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

So far I see 9.5x710 and 10x710. Which is it?

ChrisBennet · ChrisBennet's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Richard LeSchander
So far I see 9.5x710 and 10x710. Which is it?

9.5x710 is the correct size but when you buy an aftermarket belt you often get "close enough" instead of the true correct size. I believe Conti(nental) belts may come in the correct size. Zillions of people run around with 10x710 belts without any problems AFIK.
-Chris

trak ratt · 02-24-2003, 05:17 AM

Richard, you didn’t say if you have any shims on the inside of the pulley? Don’t you need 2 before the pulley on your Carrera? I assume you don’t have any between the pulley halves. So the problem sounds like you can’t get the pulley tight enough because it is not “seated” on the alternator shaft w/o those 2 inside shims.

RoninLB · 02-24-2003, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChrisBennet
9 I believe Conti(nental) belts may come in the correct size. -Chris

there are others.. but I prefer Conti

Doug E · 02-24-2003, 06:59 PM

Richard - check your e-mail.

Also, 710 is the critical size b/c that is the length of the belt (in mm I believe) while the 9.5/10 is the width.

Wil Ferch · 02-26-2003, 11:49 AM

FWIW...try for a "true" 9.5..not 10, or even a 9.5/10.... that is only an inventory saving size for the manufacturer.
Check also that the oblong rectangle isn't "hogged out" on the pulley half. That might be the problem, too.
Correct procedure is to use 6 shims total...with whatever number you need ( up to 6) under the pulley...BUT...DO put the unused shims on the outside of the pulley under the nut..otherwise you're prone to more problems once you tighten the nut.
---Wil Ferch