JFerg Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 In twenty years of 4A ownership, I'm sure I've changed a few fan belts, but today I'm in strife. Whilst out, the 4A threw its fan belt. No worries, I have a spare. If only I could get it on..... The clearance between the fan extension and the main cross member of the steering unit is only 2mm. The belt itself is 11mm thick. I've tried lifting the engine on the mounts to see if that will give me some clearance, but it won't give me enough. Now I have the radiator and cowl out, with a view to pulling the fan extension off in the morning. All to fit a fan belt? I sense that I am doing something wrong here, or am at least missing a fundamental point. What is it? Obviously I am yet to inspect the (aluminium) fan extension, but to get 11mm clearance I'd have to machine an unreasonable 18mm off it's diameter, so don't see that as a solution. Is there a steel (?) after market extension? I'm running an aluminium radiator and an electric fan, but retain the original fan because I understand that it is also the harmonic balancer. So what have I done wrong here? thanks in advance.... JFerg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 Hi, (what does the |'J' stand for) the engine is almost certainly collapsing the engine mounts - replace with Land Rover parts - have a look here - www.johnrichardssurplus.co.uk These are similar to TR4 mounts but better. You could simply undo the engine mount nuts - this would allow the engine to raise slightly. You can put spacers under the engine mounts to give better clearance. When you have fitted the belt consider fitting another one that is tied out of the way for a quick fit if needed. The fan needs to be balanced but is not really a harmonic balancer for the crank. I would remove it unless you do a lot of slow heavy traffic motoring. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JFerg Posted April 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 Thanks, Roger. Since posting earlier I have been into my books. The workshop manual is silent on clearances and fan belt changes, but Roger Williams' "How to restore Triumph TR4 and TR4A" refers to a minimum of clearance between fan extension and rack, and the need to lift the engine for a belt change, so I am not entirely alone. However, when lifting the engine until the wheels came up, I still had insufficient clearance. I'd already planned to tie a spare belt in there, and I'll do that. I'll also have a look at the front engine mounts; but since they didn't stretch to give me clearance, I suspect that they're ok. Or just wrong completely..... thanks for your valuable inputs, Roger. It really helps. cheers, John Ferguson Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peejay4A Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 You'll need to slacken the engine mount nuts as well. Whilst your at it why not replace the mounts with the LR ones as Roger suggests? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 Make sure the engine mounts if they are the later 4a type are fitted in the right orientation as I came across one the other day with the mounts aligned horizontally which 1 would not allow the engine to be jacked up at all and 2 if they failed would allow the engine to slide forwards or backwards with dire results! Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisR-4A Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 I would not disturb the fan extension unless you intend to ditch it and get a narrow belt conversion with a damped pulley. I have run like this for over 15 years and electric fan hardly ever comes on. Rather than removing the extension of you want to refit the wide belt do as suggested else where and remove the engine mount nuts to allow it to lift. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR 2100 Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 Make sure the engine mounts if they are the later 4a type are fitted in the right orientation as I came across one the other day with the mounts aligned horizontally which 1 would not allow the engine to be jacked up at all and 2 if they failed would allow the engine to slide forwards or backwards with dire results! Stuart. Having never owned a TR4A, I was not aware of that one. Very clever of the factory. Almost as clever as making an exhaust manifold gasket that can be fitted 90º out, thereby significantly reducing the exhaust flow. AlanR Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geko Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 While replacing the engine mounts years ago, I added a 4mm shim on either side in order to increase the clearance between the fan extension and the steering rack. I did succeed to remove the fan belt once (with a bit of pushing/pulling) with that system but i'm afraid that now that the mounts have settled down it wont be possible anymore. I believe that in doubling that thickness it should no problem. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 Having never owned a TR4A, I was not aware of that one. Very clever of the factory. Almost as clever as making an exhaust manifold gasket that can be fitted 90º out, thereby significantly reducing the exhaust flow. AlanR They were known as "Fail safe mountings" Which if fitted the right way is true if not...................... Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 (edited) Hi, (what does the |'J' stand for) the engine is almost certainly collapsing the engine mounts - replace with Land Rover parts - have a look here - www.johnrichardssurplus.co.uk These are similar to TR4 mounts but better. You could simply undo the engine mount nuts - this would allow the engine to raise slightly. You can put spacers under the engine mounts to give better clearance. When you have fitted the belt consider fitting another one that is tied out of the way for a quick fit if needed. The fan needs to be balanced but is not really a harmonic balancer for the crank. I would remove it unless you do a lot of slow heavy traffic motoring. Roger Land Rover Nos either NRC2053 or NRC2054 they are both the same thickness but different external diameters. And have metric threads.... Peter W PS I am not sure what NTC5890 is as far as dimensions compared to TR4/4A engine mounts. Worth 2 quid to check it out I guess. Edited April 18, 2016 by BlueTR3A-5EKT Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 8mm I think. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Salisbury Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 A trick here is to fit two fan belts at the same time, wrap the second belt in cling film and cable tie it to the engine front plate (looped behind the front pulley) so it's ready to slip in place when your newly replaced fan belt gives up the ghost, the ones available these days really don't seem to last very long. Cheers Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rcreweread Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 Hi, (what does the |'J' stand for) the engine is almost certainly collapsing the engine mounts - replace with Land Rover parts - have a look here - www.johnrichardssurplus.co.uk These are similar to TR4 mounts but better. Roger Roger John Richards lists 2 engine mountings - do you know which is the right/best one please - NRC 2054 is 55mm in diameter and 32mm thick, and NTC 5890 is 75mm in diameter and 37mm thick. The larger sounds like it should be better but don't want to create other problems unknowingly - really good price at £2.00 each! Cheers Rich Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 Hi Rich, I got the 2054 and seems to work well. As mentioned above they do have 8mm stud. This is not a problem. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rcreweread Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 Hi Rich, I got the 2054 and seems to work well. As mentioned above they do have 8mm stud. This is not a problem. Roger Roger You have a PM Rich Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fireman049 Posted April 19, 2016 Report Share Posted April 19, 2016 (edited) Thankfully, my 3A came already fitted with the narrow belt conversion ~ Highly recommended. Tom. Edited April 20, 2016 by Fireman049 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nigethomas Posted April 21, 2016 Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 fitted a new belt on my 4a a few week back and had same problem. Just slackened off the engine mount nuts enough to jack car up and then slide past. Nige Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lynchpin Posted April 23, 2016 Report Share Posted April 23, 2016 Hi As Nige above says I fitted a new belt some weeks ago simply loosened the near side engine mount top nut wood under sump and jacked up engine no probs.. Phil.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fireman049 Posted April 23, 2016 Report Share Posted April 23, 2016 Jacking up engines just to change a fanbelt ~ No thank you folks. Tom. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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