Tensioning belts, and a six blade fan

[dochawk]

Having replaced my water pump, I'm reassembling.

The shop manual tells me the appropriate tensions.   Do I need a $100 tool to do this??? (not that I'm against acquiring tools; why am I even asking? :evil )

Does it matter which order I tension them in?

The shop manual also says that the fan has seven blades.  Mine has six.

I presume I should replace it, but I don't see such a thing on the rockauto site.

Can I pull this from any large GM of the period?  What range of years to fit a '72?

thanks

[dochawk]

I got the fan on the fan clutch, started on a second screw to the pully--and discovered I couldn't get the belts over

So I took it back off, ran the last two belts, got one screw back in--and then bending over like that and trying to insert screws caught up with me.

*sigh*

maybe tomorrow.

[TJ Hopland]

I don't think a clutch fan was standard in a 72.   The original fans can be hard to find because in that era most GM's were either smaller non AC cars so small fans or had clutches.   I would not bother with a aftermarket 'flex' fan because they don't tend to move enough air for various reasons.    If its a decent fan with a good clutch that fits the shroud properly it may be fine.   The clutches didn't tend to be very unique in the era so finding a replacement should not be that difficult.  I think around 75 a clutch fan was at least a option so you could look it up that way.    On a cold start you should hear a pretty good roar out of the fan.   Unless its below freezing it should tapper down to the point you don't really hear it after about 10 seconds at the most.   The other quick check is after the engine is fully up to temp after a drive get parked pop the hood and position yourself so you can see the fan and then shut the key off.   The fan should not really coast.   It should darn near stop when the engine does.  IF it goes another 1/4 turn that is fine but if it does a full turn or more its shot.  IF you have it out a sign of a bad clutch is a dirty spot near the thermal spring in the center.   That means fluid leaked out and dirt stuck to the fluid. 

On the belts most of the belts these days are a lot more stretchy than the originals were so all the old rules don't seem to apply.   I find with modern belts I have to re tension them 2 or 3 times early in their lives.   Unless you have a giant pry bar and really lean on it I don't think you can over tension modern belts.   

[dochawk]

The shop manual shows a spacer,not a fan clutch.  Rockauto lists the fan clutch under the model, though.

I really don't need to worry about driving below freezing around here . . . even when it freezes, it almost always thaws before normal working hours.

So I'll guess that the clutch fan came from the same vehicle as the car . . .

Is there any trick to getting the last three bolts into the fan pulley?  I keep dropping them.


thanks

hawk

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

The shop manual shows a spacer,not a fan clutch.  Rockauto lists the fan clutch under the model, though.

Definitely a spacer on my '72, and Rockauto lists lots of things, like a heavy duty radiator, which doesn't fit.   Yes, I purchased one, and no way will it fit.   They replaced it with a normal one at no cost.

Is there any trick to getting the last three bolts into the fan pulley?  I keep dropping them.

Yes.   Align the pulley holes to the water pump flange, then hold the fan vertically, and install all the bolts into it, and through the spacer.   Then hold it in position, slightly away from the pulley/water pump hub, and with the free hand, turn the bolts in a couple of turns, till all are threaded, then wind them in all the way, then tighten.

Bruce.

[TJ Hopland]

Bolts in the water pump?   They are usually studs.   Parts stores usually stock the stud kits under the Help! line or under their own brand.  They are pretty universal so usually in stock.

["Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364]

Richard,
I built the tool they show in the FSM and although it works once you have it bolted on it is a real pain to do so.  Almost impossible to get the bolts the tool and your fingers behind the PS pulley.  What I found real simple is using and extended pry bar (30") and pry on the PS pump bracket casting and the bolt that holds it to the cylinder head.  If you take your time and pry "gently" iit is a bullet proof solution.
FWIW my 72 Eldo had HD cooling and came with a 7 bladed, direct drive (no clutch) fan blade.
Greg Surfas

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

FWIW my 72 Eldo had HD cooling and came with a 7 bladed, direct drive (no clutch) fan blade.
Greg Surfas

The Heavy Duty Radiator I purchased would not fit in the radiator mounting area.

To fit it, I would have had to re-design the sides of the carrier, by removing serious metal, and repainting.

Bruce.