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Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 3
Grease Monkey
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Grease Monkey
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 3 |
First time post. 1937 Chevy 1 1/2 ton truck. 216 motor. Fan blade is too close to radiator to get belt on/off. There is only 1/4" of clearance between the fan and the radiator. Should we try to remove the fan blade? Remove or at least loosen the radiator?
Thanks For the help!
-Snowman.
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 435 Likes: 2
Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 435 Likes: 2 |
My 1936 GMC has the same issue, when I have to replace the belt I will take off the fan, not a lot of fun but removing the radiator is even less fun.
1936 GMC T-14 low cab. TA for 1935-37 GMC, Director of the Gulf Coast Region
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 6,149 Likes: 42
ChatMaster - 6,000
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ChatMaster - 6,000
Joined: May 2002
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You may not need to completely remove the fan but loosen enough the wobble and allow the belt to fit through as you wobble the fan. The blade edges are closer than the centre.
Tony
1938 1/2 ton Hope to drive it before I retire
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Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 3
Grease Monkey
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OP
Grease Monkey
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 3 |
Thanks for the advice. We loosened the fan bolts last night and will try to "wobble" the belt on tonight.
-Snowman.
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 7,472 Likes: 26
ChatMaster - 7,000
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ChatMaster - 7,000
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You might want to consider use of a thin piece of cardboard against the radiator. Might help to protect the radiator fins from damage and also prevent some skinned knuckles.
Steve D
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Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 3
Grease Monkey
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Grease Monkey
Joined: Oct 2021
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Well, the belt is changed but what an ordeal! Loosened fan, radiator cowl/support, fender and front shroud bolts. Finally had just enough room to roll the fan blades over the belt. Radiator fins lost some paint in the process but all is good now. Hard to believe this was the original design.
Thanks for your help,
-Snowman.
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 337 Likes: 4
Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 337 Likes: 4 |
Welcome to the world of old Chevs! What you experienced with your fan belt is what makes this hobby so rewarding and enjoyable. If every part came off easily, or fit perfectly, or could be removed and replaced in 10 minutes or less, what would be the fun in that. Even 'way back when, GM paid people mucho dollars to design most parts so that you would have lots of fun (and skinned knuckles) trying to figure out how to get at a part to remove it, then actually removing it, then reinstalling it correctly. So, welcome to the Chat Site, have fun with your truck, and we look forward to hearing more from you about the fun you're having!
Last edited by kaygee; 10/07/21 12:05 PM.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 6,149 Likes: 42
ChatMaster - 6,000
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ChatMaster - 6,000
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 6,149 Likes: 42 |
The worst part is the designers havent made it any easier and actually even harder.
Tony
1938 1/2 ton Hope to drive it before I retire
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Joined: Nov 2001
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ChatMaster - 15,000
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ChatMaster - 15,000
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If designers and engineers had to repair or replace parts before their job is done, changes would have been made. In this case the fan closer to the radiator core to maximize the cooling trumped fan belt replacement.
How Sweet the roar of a Chevy four!
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Joined: Aug 2004
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ChatMaster - 3,000
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ChatMaster - 3,000
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It's also possible that with it being a 1-1/2 ton truck with the heavy duty radiator, that the extra thickness of the core came toward the engine, rather than going toward the grille. This would exacerbate the problem. I recently removed the fan belt from a '37 1/2 ton with relative ease.
Mike
ml.russell1936@gmail.com
Many miles of happy motoring
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Joined: Jan 2007
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ChatMaster - 1,000
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ChatMaster - 1,000
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Does it have a correct fan,I have a 49 to 54 fan on my 37 and even with the thin belt its going to be a pain to get it off and do have what I think is a correct fan that will go on when I put another engine in it.
VCCA #45194
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