Modification to the fan belt
2006-02-28 by Ash
Hi Guys, As many of you know I am still in the process of restoring my metal chassis V6 (previously v4). Progress is excellent I should be starting the engine in the coming weeks!! (after I've taken the engine out to change the flywheel.... long story :-( ) After taking loads of measurents for the fitment of the engine, I decided to give as much clearance for the fan belt as possible but even with this done the new UJ's for hte steering column still fouled the fan belt. This to me seemed both dangerous (in case the steering gets tight or worse locks), and of course will course enevitable wear to the fan belt. With this in mind I set about looking for ways to fix this, ideas included fitting as short a belt as possible, repositioning the alternator (even to the other side of the engine), fitting double pulleys to the crank shaft pulley to run a second belt to the alternator (after moving the mounting forward) etc. Finally I came up with an easier solution, remembering a recent cambelt change during a head gasket replacement of my Lotus Elise, I rembered seeing the cambelt tensioner. This is a smooth design on a off set mount so it can hold the belt in tension. A quick trip the breakers yard and I had one of these. After cutting of the excess metal from the mounting plate, I found that the standard lower front alternator bolt fitted perfectly through and with a couple of washer I was able to centre the belt. Now I do acknowledge that the fan belt fitted to the car is not design to have its back surface used in this way, but this is exactly the same as it rubbing against the steering column only with nice bearing and rotating surface! the result (after adding addional washer to line the 3 pulleys up perfectly) is fantastic only time of course will tell. I have posted some pictures in the Photos area fo ryou to see. I have also thought of a couple of alternative fixed should this one not be sucessful should anyone be interested to hear of them! I hope this is useful to someone out there! Ash www.marcosworld.com to catch up with my progress!!